Torn corners of the mouth, rhagades of the corners of the mouth or lazy mouth often characterize unpleasant, painful and prolonged discomfort. If these superficial tissue defects recur and the corners of the mouth are also inflamed, the condition requires medical attention. Torn corners of the mouth can have various causes.
What are torn corners of the mouth?
Torn corners of the mouth are generally persistent, unsightly and in most cases become inflamed. They cause painful, and increasingly, burning sensations. Contact with acidic, spicy foods and toothpaste as well as abrupt mouth movements intensify the pain. In most cases, contact with the tongue or saliva is sufficient to trigger the sensations. Torn corners of the mouth usually have a poor and slow healing tendency. If the disease occurs frequently and has a potentially chronic course, physicians refer to torn corners of the mouth as mouth angle rhagades, lazy licks, perlèche or cheilitis angularis.
Causes
Numerous causes are responsible for torn corners of the mouth and oral angle rhagades. Basically, the condition is favored by external influences. The lip skin reacts very sensitively to climatic changes. The result is chapped lips as a harbinger, and torn corners of the mouth follow. Continuous moistening by the tongue or chewing on the lip also promote cracked corners of the mouth. In addition, infections can also ignite mouth corner rhagades. Infection triggers are either bacteria (such as streptococci), viruses (for example herpes simplex) or fungi (such as thrush, Candida albicans or yeast fungi). Vitamin deficiency is another possible trigger for cracked corners of the mouth. In particular, a deficit of vitamins B2 (riboflavin deficiency) and vitamin C as well as a deficiency of the trace elements zinc and iron can be decisive. Furthermore, allergies are considered to be the cause of the disease. Furthermore, inadequately fitting dentures can be responsible for torn corners of the mouth. Furthermore, pregnant women and patients who have to undergo antibiotic therapy are prone to mouth angle rhagades. Torn corners of the mouth are also favored by general diseases, for example diabetes mellitus or neurodermatitis. Not infrequently, a combination of several triggers is responsible for the fact that torn corners of the mouth can develop.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Torn corners of the mouth can be very uncomfortable for the affected person, as even speaking and eating are associated with considerable pain. Minor bleeding is often seen in the corners of the mouth, which may indicate this clinical picture. In many cases, there is also a strong burning sensation when particularly acidic foods are consumed. However, these symptoms are short-lived unless there is an underlying disease. Within a few days, the above symptoms should disappear and there should be a significant improvement. However, the situation is different if there is an explicit vitamin deficiency. In such a case, the symptoms described above will not disappear so quickly. Pain while eating and minor bleeding at the corners of the mouth will remain until the vitamin deficiency is corrected. If torn corners of the mouth persist for a long period of time, then a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. Only with appropriate therapy and treatment, can permanently eliminate torn corners of the mouth. Typical symptoms of torn corners of the mouth are minor bleeding and a strong burning sensation when eating. In some circumstances, inflammation may even occur at the corners of the mouth if bacteria get into the open wound. The burning and pain become more severe in such a case, so that medical treatment becomes essential.
Course and diagnosis
Before torn corners of the mouth develop, the skin becomes dry and scaly. Unpleasant feelings of tension develop. There is often pain on touch. In the later course of the disease, the skin cracks, inflammation may form. Often crusting occurs. In case of recurring complaints, due to torn corners of the mouth, a doctor must be consulted. The general practitioner or dermatologist can diagnose the cause of the disease. After a thorough preliminary consultation, an ocular examination is performed.Thus, vesicles and brownish crusts can be an indication of a herpes virus. Torn corners of the mouth and whitish coatings in the oral cavity can indicate the Candida fungus. The exact pathogens are determined by means of a swab of the lip, often also of the oral mucosa. However, it is not uncommon for further medical examinations and analyses to be required, for example an allergy test or a blood test. If an inadequately fitting denture is the cause of torn corners of the mouth, a dentist must be consulted.
Complications
Torn corners of the mouth can lead to various complications. First and foremost, they negatively affect the patient’s daily life. Severe pain occurs during eating and drinking. Even ordinary movements such as laughing or yawning lead to pain. This limits the patient’s quality of life, and can also lead to psychological problems and depression. In many cases, there is a lowered self-esteem. Ordinary food intake is no longer possible, which can lead to underweight and dehydration. Also, pain then develops when saliva comes to the corners of the mouth. In most cases, the torn corners of the mouth disappear again on their own. This is especially the case when they occur due to dry air or acidic food. In this case, no special treatment is necessary, but creams and ointments can be used to soothe the skin areas and speed up the process. However, the torn corners of the mouth can also indicate other symptoms such as diabetes. In this case, a detailed examination by the doctor is necessary. Treatment depends on the cause and in most cases leads to success.
When should you go to the doctor?
Torn corners of the mouth are usually harmless and, insofar as they occur only occasionally and subside again through the application of care creams and the pursuit of a gentle behavior, do not require acute medical clarification. The situation is different if the torn corners of the mouth do not heal despite care. They can become chronic and provide a target for infections or fungi. Accordingly, a physician (in the first instance, the dermatologist is sufficient) should be entrusted with the treatment if torn corners of the mouth do not heal within a few days. Also, if areas around the corners of the mouth become red, flakes or other abnormalities form, or there is pain in the areas, a trip to the doctor is indicated. In the case of frequently occurring rhagades of the corners of the mouth and those that persist for a particularly long time, a deficiency or a disease may be the cause. A detailed anamnesis discussion with the attending physician can reveal the cause. In most cases, the cause is a nutrient deficiency, which can be compensated by an appropriate diet. If a disease is the cause, it is important to identify it. Especially in winter, due to cold and dry heating air, the risks of crust formation and inflammation are increased, which is why a visit to the doctor should be made more quickly due to the difficulty of healing the torn corners of the mouth. Moreover, inflammations and the like can be treated all the better, the sooner a doctor starts the necessary therapy.
Treatment and therapy
The therapy against torn corners of the mouth depends on the cause. Priority must be given to keeping the corners of the mouth dry. Special pastes can absorb the unwanted fluid. This can prevent both the spread of germs and their multiplication. To positively influence the healing process, the patient should avoid spicy or acidic foods as well as abrupt and violent mouth movements. If bacteria are the cause of the disease, the attending physician prescribes an antibiotic. This is preferably applied in ointment form to achieve immediate bacterial control. If viruses are the cause, antiviral preparations support the healing process. If fungal diseases cause torn corners of the mouth, they are treated with antifungal medication. If, on the other hand, torn corners of the mouth are caused by proven deficiency symptoms of the body, existing deficiencies must be compensated by appropriate preparations or a balanced and healthy diet.
Outlook and prognosis
The prospect of complete recovery is very good in the case of torn corners of the mouth.As soon as indications or medical instructions for the care of the lips are taken into account, complete healing occurs within a few days. The lips often become brittle and, in the further course, damage to the corners of the mouth occurs. If the affected person becomes active already in the initial phase, he can positively influence the healing process. In the case of torn corners of the mouth, a doctor must be consulted in the fewest cases. Natural products or commercially available skin care products for the lips often already help. Mostly, the skin changes on the face occur due to the change of seasons and the changed skin care needs. As soon as these are sufficiently met by the affected person, the corners of the mouth heal. If the complaints nevertheless persist or increase in intensity, this is a sign of a disease that needs to be treated. In the case of a fungal or viral infection, medication is administered. Depending on the underlying disease, ointments or tablets are applied. The relief of the symptoms starts in a short time. Normally, healing occurs after about one to two weeks. A delay may occur if the patient suffers from other diseases or his immune system is severely weakened.
Prevention
Torn corners of the mouth can be prevented. Primarily, the corners of the mouth should be kept dry to avoid providing a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. If there is an underlying contact allergy to cosmetics, their use should be avoided. Furthermore, a balanced diet and an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals can often prevent torn corners of the mouth. Especially in unfavorable weather conditions it is important that lips and corners of the mouth are not strained. Special care products (lip balm) ideally possess sufficient effect, so that torn corners of the mouth do not occur.
What you can do yourself
Torn corners of the mouth do not necessarily have to be treated by a doctor. In most cases, simple measures and home remedies help against the painful skin lesions. In order for the corners of the mouth to heal properly, they should first be kept dry and greasy. In the first few days, excessive yawning should also be avoided, as this can reopen the cracks. In general, do not rub, scratch or lick the corners of the mouth. It makes more sense to care for the injured areas with suitable lip care products (e.g. lip balm or lip balm sticks). Alternatively, a tincture of lemon juice, honey and salt can be applied to the painful areas. After a few days, the corners of the mouth can be treated with anti-inflammatory natural remedies such as tea tree oil or chamomile. Accompanying this, the lips and corners of the mouth must be protected from external stimuli such as cold, drafts or warm and dry heating air. Depending on the cause and the severity of the injury, it is also advisable to take vitamin preparations and mild painkillers. If, despite all measures, the torn corners of the mouth do not heal completely or tear open again and again, a visit to the family doctor is recommended.
