11 Ways to Heal Cracked Mouth Corners & Relieve Pain!

Do you have discomfort, soreness, or cracks in the corners of your mouth? This common illness, angular cheilitis, can make simple activities like eating, smiling, and speaking difficult. Red, swollen, or split skin is a common symptom of cracked corners of the mouth, and dryness, irritation, or even slight bleeding may also be present.

Identifying the underlying cause of the ailment is crucial before choosing a course of treatment. The article will examine 11 practical options, ranging from natural therapies to medical interventions and preventative measures. Continue reading to learn how to heal quickly cracked mouth corners and prevent them from returning!

Read More: 14 Effective Home Remedies For Dry Mouth

What is Angular Cheilitis?

One prevalent inflammatory skin disorder is angular cheilitis. It results in inflamed, cracking sores on one or both corners of your mouth. Even though it hurts, angular cheilitis is typically not a dangerous condition.

Perleche and angular stomatitis are other names for angular cheilitis. Cold sores and angular cheilitis are sometimes confused. However, cold sores are a different illness brought on by the herpes virus. While angular cheilitis is not transferable, cold sores are.

Causes of Cracked Corners of Mouth?

Angular cheilitis, sometimes known as cracked corners of the mouth, has several causes. Physicians find it difficult to identify a specific explanation for the disease, though they do think that extra moisture may be a contributing factor.

Saliva that builds up around the corner of the mouth for an extended period is likely to dry out and eventually produce cracks in the corner.

In these situations, we make the error of repeatedly licking the affected area, which exacerbates the situation. The corner of your mouth is more prone to cracking due to the excessive saliva exposure, exacerbating the soreness. The following causes of dry, cracked lip corners can bring on angular cheilitis:

• Eczema or atopic dermatitis.
• Not-fitting dentures.
• Drooling when you sleep.
• Skin conditions.
• Sucking on a pacifier or thumb.
• Putting a face mask on.

How to Heal Cracked Corners of Mouth?

With the causes out of the way, it is time to investigate ways to heal cracked corners of the mouth.

A few natural remedies can help with the recovery that you didn’t know about. Some of them include:

1. Raw Honey

Raw honey’s natural antibacterial and antifungal qualities aid in the battle against the pathogens that cause angular cheilitis. Additionally, it calms and hydrates the affected area, hastening the healing process.

• Put a small amount of raw honey on your mouth’s cracked corners.
• After 15 minutes of sitting, rinse with lukewarm water.
• Use with slices of cucumber for added benefits.
• To get the most significant effects, repeat twice a day.

2. Castor Oil

This oil, among the greatest for skin, is the ideal treatment for cracked corners of the mouth. Castor oil relieves dryness and lessens discomfort caused by cracked skin. Additionally, it has antimicrobial qualities that help calm the infection and stop it from worsening.

• Add at least two drops of tea tree oil to half a teaspoon of castor oil and stir thoroughly.
• Apply this mixture to the afflicted area with a cotton ball.
• After letting it sit for at least 30 to 40 minutes, rinse it off.
• To obtain better and faster results, do this twice a day.

Read More: Oral Thrush: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

3. Mouthwash

It is primarily a preventative measure rather than a therapy. If you see a doctor for this illness, they may suggest using mouthwash to combat it. Although it is somewhat connected, this may not be an oral concern. These mouthwashes can lessen inflammation and eliminate bacteria and yeast that cause infections since they have antibacterial and antifungal qualities.

• Applying mouthwash to the afflicted area with a cotton ball will yield more significant results.
• After 20 to 25 minutes, rinse it off with water.
• Doing this twice a day will lessen angular cheilitis symptoms.

4. Leaves of Neem

The strong antibacterial and antifungal qualities of neem leaves help remove infection-causing microorganisms that cause angular cheilitis. They also lessen inflammation and encourage quicker recovery.

• To get the juice, crush a few fresh neem leaves.
• Directly apply the juice to your mouth’s cracked corners.
• Rinse with lukewarm water after at least 15 to 20 minutes of use.
• For best results, repeat twice a day.

5. Aloe vera

When discussing skin infections, it would be impossible to overlook aloe vera gel! It is an additional cooling remedy for chapped lip corners or angular cheilitis. It is only one of the many advantages of aloe vera. In addition to cooling, aloe vera offers antifungal, antiseptic, and healing-promoting qualities. You should use this cure if you have soreness and dryness in the affected area.

• Extract gel from fresh aloe vera leaf.
• You can use it immediately or refrigerate it to cool it down.
• However, before using any of these treatments, always wash your skin with an antibacterial cleanser.
• Wait half an hour after applying the cool aloe gel to the afflicted area.
• Use cold water to rinse it off.

Read More: Acne Around the Mouth? Here’s What Your Skin Is Trying to Tell You

6. Petroleum Jelly

Apply a tiny bit of petroleum jelly to the cracks in the corners of your mouth as often as necessary, using a fresh, clean bottle to prevent bacteria. By creating a barrier between your skin and saliva, petroleum jelly protects your mouth from too much moisture and subsequent severe drying.

7. Yogurt

Yogurt is another antibacterial remedy for damaged mouth corners. It contains beneficial microorganisms and is a natural probiotic meal. Yogurt is excellent for general health, but it can also help treat infections when applied topically to broken skin. The beneficial bacteria soothe and lessen skin irritation and cracking.

• To heal cracked skin, use two tablespoons of unsweetened yogurt or curd.
• Apply it to your entire face, focusing on the cracked areas.
• Wait until it dries, then wash it off with cool water.
• For the best results, apply yogurt to your face overnight before bed.

8. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a staple in treating cracked corners of the mouth.

Coconut oil’s antimicrobial properties have been found to have amazing benefits in healing sores and even speeding up recovery by getting rid of infection-causing bacteria or fungi.

Additionally, coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which help keep inflammation in check. You can also apply coconut oil to cracked sores to keep them moisturized and reduce the risk of bleeding from the site.

• Combine equal amounts of coconut and almond oil to prevent cracked mouth corners.
• Put this mixture of oils on the affected area.
• It would alleviate dryness and calm the inflamed skin.
• Allow oil to absorb into the skin by massaging it.

Read More: 10 Best Homemade Mouthwash Recipes – Freshen Your Breath Naturally

9. Apple Cider Vinegar

Using apple cider vinegar to treat cracked corners of the mouth might seem feasible, but to be honest, it will hurt.

The vinegar’s potent antimicrobial properties help eliminate any traces of the infection effectively.

It also helps reduce inflammation to ensure faster recovery.

• Dilute some apple cider vinegar in some water
• Dip a cotton pad into the solution and dab it on the affected area
• Leave it on for a few minutes
• Rinse it off with cold water after that
• 1-2 times daily

10. Cucumber

Cucumber hydrates the irritated region and relieves inflammation. Its cooling qualities lessen angular cheilitis-related pain and inflammation.

• Slice a fresh cucumber.
• For five to ten minutes, place it on the cracked corners.
• For extra relief and moisture, gently massage it.
• To get the most significant effects, repeat twice a day.

11. Applying Lip Balm

When selecting one to help mend and soothe the cracks in corners of your mouth, look for a lip balm with vitamin E, shea butter, or both. Shea butter and vitamin E are common ingredients in lip balms, and for good reason—they are incredibly hydrating and can help heal damaged lips.

Prevention Tips for Angular Cheilitis

You can avoid developing angular cheilitis by following stringent skin care guidelines and maintaining a proper cleanliness regimen. These suggestions can also help you keep your health and stop dangerous bacteria from growing in your mouth.

• Instead of licking your lips, keep them moisturized.
• Quitting smoking is the best course of action.
• Control conditions like anemia and diabetes.
• Eat a nutritious diet to avoid vitamin or mineral deficits.
• Consume lot of water and eat a balanced diet.

Read More: 20 Effective Natural Remedies For Mouth Ulcers you Need to Try Out

When to See a Doctor

Even though simple home treatments can often fix minor cases of cracked corners of the mouth, worsening or persistent symptoms could point to more serious problem that need to be treated by a doctor.

If the cracks continue for longer than two weeks after therapy, you should see a doctor. If the infected area gets extremely inflamed, begins to bleed, or spreads to other areas of the lips, it may indicate a bacterial or fungal infection that requires prescription medicine.

Furthermore, frequent or chronic angular cheilitis could signify a more serious illness. Consult a doctor for fatigue, inexplicable weight loss, or persistent infections.

A healthcare practitioner can identify the underlying cause and suggest topical antifungal or antibacterial treatments, vitamin supplements, or lifestyle modifications to encourage healing and stop recurrence.

Conclusion

Although cracked corners of the mouth might be excruciating, annoying, and rigid, relief is possible with the correct treatment! These treatments are effective, from cucumber’s calming effect to honey and neem’s antimicrobial properties. Your best defenses against future flare-ups are to stay hydrated, take care of your lips, and increase your intake of vital nutrients.

Your lips will reward you for being consistent, whether using a natural cure daily or making minor dietary changes. If home remedies are insufficient, do not be afraid to consult a doctor to rule out underlying illnesses.

Once you’ve tried them, let us know which of these 11 potent cures worked best for you.

• Apr 2020
  Written by Somapika D
• Feb 2025
  Edited by Ankita