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Many people attribute the problem to external factors such as having cold sores (a completely different condition) or changes in the weather. Although these can be contributory factors, the root causes of scabbing at the corners of the mouth can also be internal which are related to nutrition or a weakened immune system. Discovering what has caused the problem is key to finding appropriate treatment.
The condition itself has a medical name and is known as "Angular Cheilitis".
Lets examine 3 common causes of scabbing at the corners of the mouth:-
1. Iron Deficiency
If your diet does not include sufficient amounts of absorbable iron and the Vitamin B group, this can contribute towards the problem. Try to eat plenty of iron-rich foods such as dark green leafy vegetables, lean red meat, beans, nuts , legumes, milk and yogurt. One good tip is to drink a glass of orange juice with meals which are high in iron as this helps the body with absorption. Indeed, drinking tea and coffee with meals can hinder absorption.
2. Poorly Fitted Dentures Or Braces
Poorly fitted dental fixtures such as the braces and dentures can actually be a common cause of scabbing at the corners of the mouth. When improperly fitted, dentures and braces can cause drooling or dribbling which in turn can lead to moisture being present on the edges of the lips. It is not just the constant moisture which causes the condition, but the fact that both bacteria and fungal infections love damp warm conditions and find it easy to take hold within the tiny folds of skin at the lip edges.
If you think this issue applies to you, then it makes complete sense to have the fixture checked out and adjusted where necessary.
3. Side Effects Of Certain Oral Drugs
Sometimes, the causes of angular cheilitis with its scabbing at the corners of the mouth is a side effect of certain types of oral medications that you may be taking. Truth is, there are a lot of both the prescription and the non-prescription drugs that can contribute towards signs of extreme dryness in the lips. Such drugs usually include those taken by patients who are going through some depression and anxiety attacks, or those who may be suffering from a severe allergy, pain or colds. These medicines often incorporate include antihistamines as well as decongestants. Others include medications prescribed for patients diagnosed as having epilepsy, psychotic disorders,hypertension, urinary incontinence, obesity and acne or, less commonly, those for diarrhea, nausea and Parkinson's disease. The extreme dryness in the lips may be attributed to the fact that because of these conditions, the patient then becomes dehydrated and thus, triggering angular cheilitis.
Cracked corners of the mouth are certainly troublesome, but can be dealt with quickly providing you go about it the right way.
