logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine
dermatologist demonstrating angular cheilitis on patientAngular Cheilitis (cracks at corner of mouth)Joe Graedon - January 2, 2023 - 7 comments

Curing Cracks at Corners of the Mouth Saved Mom’s Life

Vitamin B12 deficiency and pernicious anemia can be life threatening. Find out why cracks at the corners of the mouth may be an early tip off!

hydrogen peroxide bottle
Alternative HealthTerry Graedon - March 20, 2017

How to Make Angular Cheilitis Disappear with Hydrogen Peroxide

A reader dabs hydrogen peroxide on the corners of the mouth every day after brushing the teeth to make angular cheilitis disappear.

closeup of toothpaste on a toothbrush
Angular Cheilitis (cracks at corner of mouth)Terry Graedon - February 27, 2017

Could Your Toothpaste Make Your Mouth Sore?

Certain types of compounds in toothpaste or mouthwash could trigger angular cheilitis and make your mouth sore.

perleche or angular cheilitis, cracks in the corners of the mouth
Angular Cheilitis (cracks at corner of mouth)Terry Graedon - January 16, 2017

Will Correcting Vitamin D Deficiency Help a Sore Mouth?

Although angular cheilitis is more often associated with inadequate vitamin B or iron, one reader found that vitamin D helped her sore mouth.

a bottle of castor oil
Alternative HealthJoe Graedon - January 21, 2016

Clear Up Cracks at the Corner of the Mouth with Castor Oil

Doctors call cracks at the corner of the mouth angular cheilitis, perleche or cheilosis. Getting rid of these nasty fissures can be challenging. Castor oil?

lips with gold liptsick
Angular Cheilitis (cracks at corner of mouth)Joe Graedon - November 2, 2015

Athlete’s Foot Cream for Cracked Corners of the Mouth (Angular Cheilitis)

Cracked corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis) can be painful and embarrassing. There are lot of home remedies that can help clear up the condition.

Listerine bottle
Angular Cheilitis (cracks at corner of mouth)Joe Graedon - July 27, 2015

Listerine Cleared Up Angular Cheilitis

Natural antifungal herbal oils in original amber Listerine cleared up angular cheilitis when steroid cream could not.

perleche or angular cheilitis, cracks in the corners of the mouth
Angular Cheilitis (cracks at corner of mouth)Terry Graedon - January 3, 2013

Angular Cheilitis (Perleche) Home Remedies

Cracks in the corner of the mouth (Angular cheilitis) can be painful. It's unclear what causes these cracks, but nutritional deficiencies may be at fault.