What makes the sides of my mouth crack

You might only experience these symptoms on one side of your mouth, or they might appear on both sides. Although these symptoms are usually only noticeable in the area around your mouth, in extreme cases they can extend all the way to your cheek. Dry mouth: People with dry mouth, aka xerostomia , have a higher likelihood of developing these mouth cracks.

Dehydration: Dehydration is one of the major causes of xerostomia. People with certain health conditions, like uncontrolled diabetes , are particularly susceptible to increased urination and dehydration and, therefore, are more likely to develop angular cheilitis. Medications: Medications that can irritate the skin, like the acne drug isotretinoin , or treatments like chemotherapy can also cause irritation and dryness that leads to angular cheilitis. Nutritional deficiencies: A lack of sufficient iron can lead to anemia, which researchers have connected with angular cheilitis.

Insufficient intake of some B vitamins and zinc have also been associated with angular cheilitis, potentially because of their roles in keeping the immune system strong. It can prompt people with Down syndrome to keep their mouths open and let their tongues protrude, irritating the corners of their mouths.

Age: Many of these risk factors translate into elderly people being most likely to develop angular cheilitis. Elderly people are more likely to experience dry mouth , for example. They also often have compromised immune systems, which makes it more difficult for them to fight off infections, says Dr.

Additional risk lies in age-related changes around their mouths, says Joshua Zeichner , M. And, of course, keeping up daily brushing and flossing helps ensure a healthy and disease-free mouth. With our help and of other medical professionals we may be able to give you relief from this irritating condition. If you would like more information on gaining relief from angular cheilitis, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

Guests Number. Jegasothy explains. This buildup of yeast causes dry, red flakes of skin to form. Why do we get angular cheilitis? For one, something as innocuous as dry indoor heating systems or a stuffy nose can cause us to sleep with our mouth open, Dr. Jegasothy says, making the corners of the mouth a perfect destination for traveling drool. Viruses and bacteria can also cause it to develop. Kantor also says those who regularly have oral thrush also known as oral candidiasis, a yeast infection that develops on the inside of the mouth and tongue or inflammatory illnesses, or take prescription drugs such as oral retinoids, corticosteroids, or antibiotics, are more susceptible to developing these corner sores.

Those who wear wear braces or smoke, or live with anemia, diabetes, or cancer may also see the condition more frequently. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification.

I Accept Show Purposes. Skin Ask a Dermatologist. By Sara Spruch-Feiner. Sara Spruch-Feiner. Sara is a contributing writer for Byrdie. She writes a monthly column for the Observer.

Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines. Fact checked by Madeline Hirsch. Most recently, she lead social media at Glamour magazine where she covered pop culture, beauty, and fashion. She serves as faculty at Mount Sinai Hospital. Kenneth Howe is a New York City-based dermatologist who focuses on both aesthetic and medical dermatology. Orit Markowitz is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist who specializes in non-invasive skin cancer treatment.