Why do sides of lips cracked

If not? It may be time to book an appointment with the derm, just in case. Skin feeling thirsty elsewhere? Here's everything you need to know about treating dry skin all over, straight from a dermatologist.

Want to add some color into your lip-treatment game? These next gen glosses will hydrate your lips while also making them look totally, colorfully kissable. And if you're more of a balm person, this is the tinted one our editors can't get enough of. Your official excuse to add "OOD" ahem, out of doors to your cal. Become an Insider.

Enter Email Address. Facebook Pinterest Twitter Youtube Instagram. H aving perpetually chapped lips is one of those annoying side effects of winter weather or dry heat that you often have to learn to grin and bear after slathering on copious amounts of lip balm, that is.

Lain says. In general they can include :. 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. Zeichner tells SELF. I had my own random risk factors. For instance, my bout of the condition happened in the winter months, when skin and lips tend to get super dry , according to Dr. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data.

Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance.

Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Even though we know it only makes things worse. Meet the Expert. Dry, cracked corners of the mouth can occur for various reasons, ranging from environmental factors to daily habits. For example, everything on this fairly long list can be a contributing factor. Dermatologists refer to this condition as Angular Cheilitis.

Our lips create an angle characterized by bleeding, blistering, cracking, itchiness, redness, pain, scaliness, swelling, and burning. When we lick our lips, drool, or basically do anything that exposes our mouths to saliva can be a culprit. This is because the enzymes in saliva can cause the skin to degrade, which, in turn, leaves it vulnerable to infection and inflammation.