This blog explains Homeopathy For Cracks In Corner Of Mouth, also called angular cheilitis, its causes, symptoms, risk factors, management & best medicines.
Angular Cheilitis is a medical name for cracks in corner of the mouth. The location of the cracks is near the meeting point of both lips.
This is a common condition with dry skin people. Most people suffer during the winter season or during weather changes when skin is susceptible to dry cracks.
A person who has a habit of licking the lips continuously is more prone to cracks at a corner. While some may have cracks because of bacterial or fungal skin infections.
It is also known as angular stomatitis but is different from the cold sore. Herpes virus is a causative factor of cold sores, and it can be spread from one person to another.
But cracks at the mouth corner are not infectious. Skin conditions and vitamin deficiencies may cause angular stomatitis.
This is not a serious condition and can be easily treated with diet and some habit changes.
Types of Cracks in Corner of Mouth
Cracks in corner of the mouth can be differentiated based on the causative factors.
1. Cracks in corner of mouth due to bacterial and fungal infection
A patient complains of dry skin eruption with blackish discoloration at the corner of the mouth. It mostly affected children and old people.
Children who bottle feed at night and have dribbling saliva during the night are more susceptible to fungal infections like thrush.
Old people who use dentures are more prone to bacterial and fungal growth in corner of the mouth.
Maintaining good hygiene is key here to avoid cracks in corner of the mouth.
2. Cracks in corner of mouth due to vitamin deficiency
Cracks in corner of the mouth and angular cheilitis occur because of essential vitamin deficiencies like Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6.
People who are doing specific diet programs are more likely to suffer from cracks in corner of the mouth.
Eat a proper nutrition diet and taking multivitamins may help you to avoid angular stomatitis.
3. Cracks in corner of mouth due to dry skin
A person who has dry skin around the mouth has a habit of licking lips. Saliva may cause more dryness in the skin which leads to an ulcer.
Use lip balms or ghee for your lips which help to keep them moist, and you can avoid cracks in corner of the mouth.
4. Cracks in corner of mouth due to Idiopathic reasons
Sometimes there are no reasons for cracks in corner of the mouth. Idiopathic reasons means cannot understand the pathology behind the angular stomatitis, but the patient suffers from cracks in the corner of the mouth.
Cracks in the Corner of Mouth Causes
The causative factors for cracks in the corner of the mouth are various like age, habits, infection, or vitamin deficiencies.
Infection:
Bacterial and fungal infections are causative factors for cracks in corner of the mouth. Fungal infections like thrush and candidiasis are reasons for angular stomatitis.
Saliva:
Dribbling of saliva during sleep and the habit of licking lips are causative factors for cracks in corner of the mouth. If a person has dry skin around the mouth, then saliva gets trapped in the skin which leads to fungal growth in the moist area.
It produces blackish discoloration around the lips.
Vitamin Deficiencies:
Hereditary Vitamin C, B12, B2, and B6 are essential vitamins for oral health.
The deficiency of these vitamins leads to angular cheilitis or cracks in corner of the mouth.
Trauma:
An old person who uses dentures and people who are under dental treatment are susceptible to injuries at the mouth corner.
These injuries are one of the reasons for cracks in corner of the mouth.
Chronic Diseases:
Trigger Patients who suffer from chronic diseases like diabetes, HIV, and autoimmune diseases and who are taking antibiotics for a long duration are more susceptible to fungal infection at the mouth corner or angular stomatitis.
Cracks in corner of Mouth Symptoms
As the name suggests, a patient complains of skin cracks at the mouth corner. A patient has bleeding, redness, and swelling at the mouth corner. A patient may have blackish discoloration of the skin around the mouth.
Symptoms are differentiated according to causative factors:
Vitamin deficiency angular stomatitis:
A patient complains of cracking at the skin with dryness of the mouth. A patient has ulcers in the mouth, cheek, gums, and lip regions.
A patient suffers from burning pain in the mouth with redness.
Fungal, Bacterial Infection of cracks in corner of the mouth:
A patient complains of dry, cracked skin in corner of the mouth associated with black discoloration around the mouth and lips.
A patient has a history of saliva dribbling during sleep or may have a habit of licking the lips.
Trauma-related cracks in corner of mouth:
A patient complains of cracks and redness associated with bleeding after an injury from denture or teeth clips or after dental treatment.
A patient has a history of dental treatment. A patient has associated complaints of pain and ulcers.
Risk Factors for Cracks in corner of mouth:
Age, diet, habits, and dental treatment are risk factors for cracks in corner of the mouth.
Age:
Children who are on bottle feed are more for angular stomatitis. Old people who use dentures are susceptible to cracks in corner of the mouth.
Diet:
A person who is on special diet programs is more prone to angular stomatitis because of vitamin deficiencies.
Habit:
A person who has a habit of licking lips is more likely to get cracks and fungal infections in corner of the mouth.
Dental Treatment:
A patient who is under dental treatment can easily get cracks in corner of the mouth. During dental treatment, patients may suffer from injuries that lead to stomatitis.
Immunity:
Patients who suffer from diabetes, autoimmune diseases or HIV have lower immunity, therefore, more susceptible to infection and cracks in corner of the mouth.
Infections:
A patient who has vitamin deficiency and has a habit of lip-licking may suffer from bacterial and fungal infections of the skin of the mouth corner.
Diagnosis of Cracks In Corner Of Mouth
Cracks in corner of the mouth are not a severe condition. Diagnosis depends on the symptoms of a patient, physical examination, and personal history.
The patient presents with dry skin at the corner of the mouth with an ulcer, redness, swelling, and some bleeding. A patient complains of burning pain and mouth pain while eating.
A patient may have blackish discoloration around the mouth and lips associated with itching.
On physical examination, you can find a red color eruption on the corner of the mouth. The patient’s skin around the mouth has blackish discoloration or redness around the lips.
A patient’s history can tell the causative factor behind the cracks in corner of the mouth. Pathogenesis of cracks in corner of the mouth depends on personal history:
- A patient complains of saliva dribbling during sleep: Fungal or bacterial infection at the corner of the mouth.
- The patient is following a specific diet program for weight loss: The patient may have vitamin deficiencies like Vitamin B6, B2, B1, and Vitamin C.
- A patient has recent dental treatment: trauma may be the cause of angular stomatitis.
- Old people using dentures: Leads to cracks in corner of the mouth.
- Children, who bottle feed: This May be a reason for fungal infection in corner of the mouth.
In the clinic, a swab test helps to differentiate between the herpes virus and fungal infection in severe ulcerative cracks in corner of the mouth as well as a blood test help to identify vitamin deficiencies. These tests are helping to understand the causative factor of angular stomatitis.
Cracks in corner of mouth Management
Cracks in corner of the mouth are curable. There are simple measures available for treatment.
Use antifungal cream for fungal infections and antibacterial cream for bacterial infections.
If you do not have any infection, then use petroleum jelly on cracks in corner of the mouth to keep them soft and decrease burning pain.
Take multivitamins daily if you are diagnosed with vitamin deficiency. If you are under dental treatment, then talk with your dentist regarding angular stomatitis. Lip moisturizers, Vitamin B12, C tablets, and local cream will help to relieve symptoms of cracks in corner of the mouth.
If you have a history of recurrent angular stomatitis and saliva dribbling during sleep, then you should follow some preventive measures to avoid cracks in corner of your mouth:
- Eat a protein-rich, vitamin-rich nutritious diet. Drink plenty of water.
- Use lip balms to keep your lips moist.
- Avoid using strong mouth spray or toothpaste, which can be harmful to mouth essential microorganism flora. Take advice from your dentist or doctor regarding it.
- Do not smoke or eat tobacco products. They are harmful to oral health.
- Use perfect dentures or teeth clips.
- Try not to lick your lips.
- Apply ice to dry skin to avoid licking at cracks in corner of the mouth region.
- Avoid extreme weather like too much sun heat and extreme cold temperatures.
These are simple measures, which are helpful to avoid angular stomatitis and treat cracks in corner of the mouth.
Best Homeopathic Medicines for Cracks in corner of mouth:
Homeopathy remedies are useful to treat cracks in corner of the mouth and to prevent the recurrence of angular stomatitis.
Homeopathy offers oral medications and ointments to treat cracks in corner of the mouth condition.
Choose a homeopathy remedy based on the individual symptoms. There are several remedies available depending on the characteristic symptoms of an individual for cracks in corner of the mouth.
The selection of homeopathy remedy based on individual symptoms of a patient, physical examination and personal diet, and health history of a patient.
1. Aethusa cynapium:
It is suitable for children who cannot digest milk in any form. Children have dryness of the mouth. It is indicated for aphthae in children with a bitter taste.
Dose and Potency:
Aethusa is useful in 30 potencies. Give 2 globules 3-4 times per day for 4 days.
2. Antimonium crudum:Â
This is indicated for cracks in corner of the mouth associated with dry lips and saltish saliva taste. A patient complains of a white coating on the tongue, gums bleeding, and painful dryness of the mouth.Â
It is a good remedy for complaints after dental treatment.
Dose and Potency:
Antim crud 3X, 6C, and 30C are more useful potencies. Take 4 globules of Antim crud 3 times a day for 7 days.
3. Arum triphyllum:
Especially indicated for every case of stomatitis including cracks in corner of the mouth. A patient complains of burning pain with excessive salivation.
A patient has a red tongue like strawberry and painful red oral mucosa associated with swelling in the mouth. A patient has a bad smell from the mouth.
A patient complains of burning pain after eating and drinking.
Dose and Potency:
Arum triphyllum is useful in 3X and 30 potencies. Take 4 globules of Arum triphyllum 30, 3 times a day for 7 days.
4. Arundo mauritanica:
This is a good remedy for ulcers and exfoliation of skin in corner of the mouth. A patient complains of itching and burning associated with bleeding gums.
A patient has profuse salivation. This condition is associated with coryza and hay fever.
Dose and Potency:
Arundo 3X and 6C are useful potencies. Take 4 globules 3 times a day for 5 days.
5. Borax:
Borax is useful for fungal infection associated with erysipelatous cracks in corner of the mouth. A patient complains of excessive heat and dryness of the mouth.
Children have excessive salivation during dentition. A patient has a bitter taste in the mouth.
Dose and Potency:
Useful in 3x, 12x, and 6C potencies. Give four globules 3 times per day for 15 days.
6. Cina:Â
Cina is a children’s remedy. Children who suffer from worm intestinal irritation are treated with Cina.
The child complains of dryness of the skin around the mouth associated with white, bluish discoloration. The child has a habit of grinding the teeth during sleep.
Dose and Potency:
Cina 30 is useful. Give 4 globules 2 times a day for 8 days.
7. Graphites:
It has a wide action sphere for dry skin. A patient who tends dry skin around the mouth will use graphites to avoid recurrent cracks in corner of the mouth.
A patient tends to salivate at night and in the morning. A patient complains of burning pain with a bitter taste in the mouth. A patient has a white tongue and a rotten odor from the mouth.
Dose and Potency:
Graphites are useful in 30 potencies and ointments for external applications. Take 4 globules 2 times a day for 4-6 days and apply ointment 2-3 times on cracks in corner of the mouth.
8. Helleborus:
This remedy is useful for excessive salivation and sore cracks in corner of the mouth. A patient complains of dryness of the mouth with a horrible smell from the mouth.
A patient tends to grind the teeth during the night and pick up lips.
Dose and Potency:
Helleborus is useful in mother tincture form and 3X potency. Take 3 globules 2 times a day for 4-5 days. Use tincture externally on dry skin of mouth or 5 drops 2 times a day for 7-8 days.
9. Petroleum:
It is useful for popular eruption and cracks in the corners of the mouth. A patient complains of dryness of the mouth with pain during chewing.
A patient has cracked lips and dry skin around the mouth.
Dose and Potency:
Petroleum jelly or ointment is more useful. Apply ointment or jelly 3-4 times a day on dry skin and lips for 15 days.
10. Nitric acid:
It works best for raw, cracked skin in corner of the mouth. A patient complains of swollen and itching lips, bleeding of gums, and a putrid odor of the breath.
A patient has dryness, intense burning, and splinter-like pains with a sour taste in the mouth.
Dose and Potency:
Nitric acid 6C is useful. Give 4 globules 2 times a day for 5-7 days.
11. Natrum Mur:
Natrum Mur is indicated for dryness, ulcerative cracks in corner of the mouth associated with fever blisters around the mouth and lips. A patient complains of swelling and redness of the lower lip with eruption around the mouth.
A patient has no taste in the mouth. The tongue appears red and mapped.
Dose and Potency:
Useful in 30 and 200 potencies. Take 4 globules once a day for 3 days and wait and watch for the next 5 days.
12. Rhus tox:
Rhus tox is indicated for redness vesicles and cracked skin in corner of the mouth associated with fever blisters. A patient complains of moist eruption at the corner of the mouth and dry, brownish, cracked lips at the corners.
A patient complains of bloody salivation during the night with ulceration in corner of the mouth.
Dose and Potency:
It is useful in 6C and 30 potencies. Take 4 globules 3 times a day for 7-8 days.
13. Senega:
Senega is useful for burning vesicles and cracks in corner of the mouth associated with catarrhal symptoms.
A patient complains of dryness in the mouth with a metallic taste. The tongue has a white-yellowish coating, especially in the morning.
Dose and Potency:
It is useful in mother tincture form and has 30 potencies. Five drops of mother tincture, three times a day for 10-15 days, or 4 globules 3 times a day for 5-6 days.
14. Sepia:
Sepia is a constitutional remedy that is useful to avoid the recurrence of cracks in corner of the mouth. A patient has yellowish discoloration around the mouth.
A patient complains of herpetic eruption in corner of the mouth with swelling of the lips.
Dose and Potency:
Useful in 12X, 30C, and 200 potencies. Take four globules of 12X and 30C potencies, 2 times a day for 7 days.
Remember that homeopathic remedies are prescribed based on individual symptoms and characteristics. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified homeopath for proper evaluation and personalized treatment. Homeopathy focuses on treating the whole person, so a detailed case study is necessary to select the most appropriate remedy.
Homeopathic medicines should be taken only when prescribed by a homeopathic physician. Self-medication may aggravate the original conditions.
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Advice related for angular cracks need to be followed