Chapped lips are a common problem in dry environmental conditions. Your lips can become dry and inflamed or even begin peeling and bleeding. Mouth corners can become so irritated that they crack, making eating, talking and smiling painful. Chapped lips and dry skin at the corners of your lips can actually be two unrelated conditions.
Causes
Chapped lips typically occur during dry weather or dry conditions inside buildings because of air conditioning or heaters. Chapped lips can also be caused by wind and sun exposure, smoking and skin reactions to cosmetics. Some people are simply more prone to having dry lips. The corners of the mouth can be more affected because of the friction there when your mouth moves.
Angular Cheilosis
Dry skin at the corners of the lips may indicate a condition called angular cheilosis, also known as cheilitis. This condition causes inflammation at one or both corners of the mouth that can result in painful cracking, bleeding, crusting sores and infection. Infection typically is caused by a yeast (fungal) infection from Candida albicans, but it also can result from bacteria.
Risk Factors
Candida albicans thrives in continually damp mouth corners. This is most common in individuals who drool during sleep and in people with dentures that don't fit properly. It also can occur in people who habitually lick the corners of their mouth or who have teeth misalignment or other dental problems. People with an inadequate diet or with underlying health disorders, including anemia, diabetes or HIV, are more susceptible to angular cheilosis.
Prevention/Solution
To heal chapped dry skin at the corners of your lips, avoid licking them because doing so removes natural oils. Also avoid rubbing the corners of your mouth with your fingers. Wear lip balm. If you have dentures that don't fit well, see your dentist to get the problem fixed. You also may simply need to clean your dentures more often and more thoroughly.
Infection Treatment
If you have sores at the corners of your lips that appear to be infected, you may be able to eliminate the problem on your own. Disinfecting the corners with rubbing alcohol and then applying an antibacterial cream or gel several times a day can eliminate a minor bacterial infection. If the infection doesn't clear up within a few days, it may be a yeast infection. You can then try applying an antifungal gel or cream intended to cure athlete's foot; these kill the fungus linked to cheilosis. If you don't have success with these methods, see a doctor for oral antibiotics or antifungal treatment.
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