Cracked skin on the corners of the lips

Cracked corners of the mouth can sting when you eat, talk, or open your mouth. Saliva, lip licking, weather exposure, and irritating products can keep the skin wet or inflamed, while dryness can make it split again.

The appearance alone does not identify one cause. Irritant or allergic dermatitis may affect the lips, and atopic dermatitis can make the skin barrier more reactive. Psoriasis is another possible inflammatory cause. A clinician may also check for a local infection when there is persistent redness, crusting, swelling, or tenderness.

Rinse gently with lukewarm water and pat dry. Apply a bland, fragrance-free ointment to the corners several times through the day, especially after eating and before sleep. Avoid licking the area, picking the scale, fragranced lip products, and foods that burn the cracks. An emollient forms a protective layer while the skin repairs; ask a pharmacist or clinician which product is suitable near the mouth.

Arrange a medical review if the cracks do not settle with gentle barrier care, keep returning, or interfere with eating. Seek prompt care for spreading redness, increasing warmth, pus, marked swelling, fever, or sores inside the mouth. A clinician can distinguish dermatitis from infection and prescribe targeted treatment when needed.

Could saliva, a product, dermatitis, or infection be maintaining the cracks? Should I use a particular ointment, and for how long? What signs would mean the area needs an examination?