Mouth, Teeth & Gums
Angular Cheilitis
Red, cracked, sore corners of the mouth, often from moisture and yeast or a nutrient shortfall — healed by keeping the corners dry and protected and addressing the cause.
📝 Summary
In short: Red, cracked, sore corners of the mouth, often from moisture and yeast or a nutrient shortfall — healed by keeping the corners dry and protected and addressing the cause.
Common causes: Saliva pooling in the mouth corners (lip-licking, drooling, deep creases, ill-fitting dentures); Yeast (Candida) or bacterial overgrowth in the moist folds; Nutritional shortfalls (iron, B vitamins, zinc).
First thing to try: Keep the corners protected and less moist — apply a barrier balm like coconut oil, and stop licking or picking the corners.
See a doctor if: Cracks that won't heal or keep returning
🌿 Overview
Angular cheilitis is inflammationThe body's natural response to injury — like redness, swelling, or heat around a sore spot. More → of the corners of the mouth, causing redness, cracking, soreness, and sometimes crusting. It often results from saliva pooling in the corners and a yeast or bacterial overgrowth, and can be linked to nutritional shortfalls. It heals by keeping the corners protected and dry and addressing the underlying cause.
The corners of the mouth become red, cracked, scaly, and sore, sometimes splitting or crusting, and can sting when opening the mouth or eating. Moisture is the key driver — saliva collects in the folds (from lip-licking, drooling, ill-fitting dentures, or deep corner creases), letting yeast (Candida) or bacteria flourish. It's also linked to deficiencies in iron or B vitamins, and to dry, chapped lips.
Care combines protecting and drying the corners (a barrier balm like coconut oil, not constant lip-licking), treating any yeast or bacterial component, and correcting contributors — checking dentures fit, and ensuring good nutrition. Most cases clear with this combined approach. Persistent or recurrent angular cheilitis can point to an underlying issue (like a nutritional deficiency or diabetes) worth checking with a doctor.
Common signs
- Red, cracked, sore corners of the mouth
- Splitting, scaling, or crusting at the corners
- Stinging or pain when opening the mouth or eating
- Sometimes a yeasty or raw appearance
🔎 Why it happens
Common causes and triggers — spotting yours is often the first step to relief.
- Saliva pooling in the mouth corners (lip-licking, drooling, deep creases, ill-fitting dentures)
- Yeast (Candida) or bacterial overgrowth in the moist folds
- Nutritional shortfalls (iron, B vitamins, zinc)
- Dry, chapped lips and cold weather
✅ What to do
Gentle, practical steps you can take at home — start at the top.
- Keep the corners protected and less moist — apply a barrier balm like coconut oil, and stop licking or picking the corners.
- Address any yeast or bacterial component (an antifungal or antibacterial cream may be needed from a pharmacist or doctor).
- Check that dentures fit well, and support good nutrition with iron-, zinc-, and B-vitaminA natural substance your body needs in small amounts to stay healthy, like vitamin C or D. More →-rich foods.
- See a doctor if it's persistent or recurrent — an underlying deficiency or condition may need attention.
⭐ Community-ranked natural supports
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📊 Compare these remedies side by side
Our editor score weighs sources, safety, simplicity, cost, and lifestyle fit. Source endorsements tally how many books and studies reference each remedy. A higher number isn't a promise — it's just a starting point.
| Remedy | Type | Editor score | Source endorsements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aloe Vera Gel | Therapy | 91 | 329 |
| Raw Honey | Food | 85 | 282 |
| Coconut Oil | Food | 81 | 227 |
🍽️ Eating to help
Food is one of the gentlest medicines — small, steady changes help most.
Favor these
- Iron-, zinc-, and B-vitamin-rich whole foods (leafy greens, legumes, whole grains, nuts)
- A balanced, nourishing diet
Go easy on
- Nothing specific
Correcting nutritional shortfalls is often part of healing recurrent cases.
⚖️ Good to know
- Persistent or recurrent angular cheilitis can signal a nutritional deficiency or diabetes worth checking.
- Constant lip-licking and saliva keep it from healing.
- A yeast or bacterial infection may need a specific antifungal or antibacterial treatment.
🩺 When to see a doctor
- Cracks that won't heal or keep returning
- Signs of a possible deficiency (fatigue, pallor) or known diabetes
- Spreading redness, swelling, or significant pain
📜 A note from history
Long noted alongside nutritional deficiencies, cracked mouth corners helped reveal the role of B vitamins and iron in skin health.
📚 Learn more
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