Cracked sore corners of my mouth
The corners of your mouth are split and sore. They sting when you yawn, laugh or open wide to eat. A crack may crust over, then split again the next day.
Doctors call this angular cheilitis, which just means sore mouth corners. Skin in those folds stays damp for hours at a time. Damp skin breaks down easily, and yeast like the kind behind oral thrush often sits there.
Other habits keep the corners wet. Licking your lips, dentures that no longer fit, or drooling in your sleep all add moisture. Low iron or low B vitamins can be part of the picture too.
When to see someone
See a doctor or dentist if the cracks last more than two weeks. Go sooner if you also have white patches inside your mouth, yellow crusts, spreading redness, swelling or a fever. Get checked early if you have diabetes, use steroid inhalers, or your immune system is weak.
Below is a list of remedies people have used for oral thrush. Each one carries a grade that shows how strong the evidence behind it is. A low grade means there is little proof, so read with care and talk options over with your doctor or dentist.
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