Dry skin on corners of mouth not only itchy but also prevents you from taking a big bite of a juicy burger. Just like chapped lips, dry skin around lips even prevents you from smiling or laughing out loud on an epic joke. Most of people develop dry flaky skin at the corners of the mouth in the winter season. Extreme cold weather prevents you from drinking a lot of water. It develops dehydration in your body. Dehydration is the main reason for dry skin all over the body.
Dryness around the mouth comes and heals on its own within weeks. But it causes significant discomfort if left untreated. Let us explore what are the causes and treatments for dry skin around the mouth.
Causes
- The term angular cheilitis is used for dry skin at the corners of the mouth. This condition is so common, especially in the winter season. Drool from our mouth during sleep is the culprit for developing angular cheilitis. The little sores develop around the corner of the mouth due to this drool. Because yeast is present in saliva. The yeast and bacteria present in saliva cause angular cheilitis.
- In the winter season, due to stuffy nose, many people sleep with mouth open. During sleep, they drool, and drooling causes dry red skin around the mouth.
- People having the habit of licking their lips also become a victimof dry skin at corners of the mouth. Because in winter season when they got chapped lips and attempt t moist the lips they lick it. The yeast present in saliva dry skin on side of the mouth too.
- Oral candidiasis also causes angular cheilitis.
- Vitamin B2, B3, B6, and iron deficiency also thrive dry skin on mouth corners.
- Diet rich in carbohydrates also provides an environment for oral candidiasis.
- Or any medication or antibiotic may also be responsible for dry skin on the corners of the mouth.
- If you have dry skin around the mouth and chin, it may not because of yeast. It is an indication of dehydration in your body. Drink a lot of water and applying a moisturizing serum or lotion can help in relieving dry skin.
- People experiencing dry skin above the upper lip may be allergic to some external element like makeup product, any skincare serum or lotion or lip balm, or even fluoride toothpaste.
Treatment
- Applying an ointment having butenafine 2% twice a day can kill yeast and bacteria and help in treating angular cheilitis.
- Apply petroleum jelly or coconut oil to form a barrier for drool not to contact directly with your skin.
- To keep moisturize your chapped lips, apply a moisturizer or apply oil in the navel button.
- In extreme cold, use a humidifier to keep the environment a bit moist. Because the central heating system dries out the climate of the room.
- If there is a vitamin or mineral deficiency in your body, consult a doctor and take supplements.
- Don’t use toothpaste having fluoride to avoid dry skin around the corner of the mouth.
- Older people are prone to drool and develop deep creases around the mouth. They also experience frequent episodes of angular cheilitis. Filler injections are available to fill deep creases around the corner to avoid saliva sitting in the corner of the mouth that causes dry and itchy skin at corner of the mouth.
If you feel that these remedies are not working, consult your doctor or dermatologist. Because it is a fungal and bacterial infection that can get worse if not treated well. Your doctor will diagnose the actual reason behind dry skin on the corners of the mouth and prescribe the treatment accordingly. But there is no need to be scared. It is a common condition and mostly cold weather is the reason behind dry skin all over your body including the corner of the mouth.
I hope you have got the causes and treatments for angular cheilitis and now you will not be worried and think about what to do with the dry skin on the corners of my mouth. If you like our article, keep visiting our website on regular basis.
