Dry corners of the mouth

Definition

Dry corners of the mouth are a common problem and usually occur in winter. There are many different causes for dry mouth corners, mostly caused by temperature and humidity. Dry mouth corners often also lead to cracks (fissures) and can therefore be very painful. Usually dry or cracked corners of the mouth heal by themselves, but if they occur more often and heal poorly, this can also be an indication of a systemic disease and should therefore be clarified by a doctor.

Causes

The most common cause of dry mouth corners is dry air in winter. The cold outside temperature and the dry, warm air in the home irritates and dries out the sensitive skin of the lips. This also leads to increased stress on the corners of the mouth, which also dry out and usually tear.

Since the mouth is stressed very often in everyday life, the cracks can only heal very poorly and tear open again when eating, yawning or laughing. Another problem is that many people with dry lips or the corners of the mouth tend to moisten the affected area with the tongue. However, this leads to increased drying out and at the same time bacteria from the mouth are transported into the wounds, which can lead to infection.

Saliva has a slightly acidic pH value, which is why in some cases this alone is even sufficient to cause dry mouth corners. For example, drooling at night can cause sore corners of the mouth in the morning. If dry mouth corners heal only very poorly or not at all, or if they occur again and again (e.g. also in summer), it is possible that an illness or deficiency symptom is the cause.

Possible causes are infections caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi, vitamin deficiency symptoms, iron or zinc deficiency, liver diseases, skin diseases (e.g. neurodermatitis), autoimmune diseases or diabetes. There are many types of medically relevant fungi. Skin fungus, which also frequently causes problems on mucous membranes and in areas around the mouth, is usually the so-called “Candida albicans”, which belongs to the group of yeast fungi.

A fungal infection with candida albicans is medically also called “thrush” or “candidosis” and is a very common disease. The reason for this is the natural occurrence of candida on the human mucosa. If the immune system is weakened or the corners of the mouth are torn, the fungus may spread and infection may occur.

Symptoms are itching and a sharply defined, usually reddish rash. A whitish coating is often found on mucous membranes (see genital fungus). Deficiency symptoms can also be a cause of dry and cracked corners of the mouth.

Deficiencies of vitamins (especially vitamin C, D and B2), iron or zinc are possible. Zinc is very important for the immune system, which is why a zinc deficiency can lead to a weakening of it and thus to an infection of the corners of the mouth. A siege of these, for example bacterial, leads to very poor healing and persistent complaints.

Iron deficiency usually manifests itself in several areas of the body. This can lead to dry corners of the mouth, brittle hair and brittle nails. Iron deficiency anaemia (anaemia) is also possible.