The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Over The Counter
Posted by Ldsrenee (Honolulu, Hi) on 08/10/2013
★★★★★
I read forums over several days when my lips became severely chapped and the corners began to split. I had used Carmex which did nothing and symptoms worsened. I tried pure coconut oil--nothing. I tried Ketoconizole--still nothing. Zero improvement and much more pain. I couldn't eat without pain or wear my favorite lipglosses and it started to look bad too. What I did after a week of these trial remedies was I kind of combined several options together. I went to the local drugstore and straight to the First Aid isle. I purchased a tube of Polysporin (which has antiseptic properties and contains zinc) and a tube of A+D ointment (which has lanolin to increase cellular production and white petroletum for creating a protective barrier to seal those medications in. And that's exactly what happened. I used the Polysporin first (very liberally with a clean Q-tip) and then sealed it with the A+D (also liberally)--careful not to mix them or smear the Polysporin away. By morning, my lips and the painful stinging cracks were 60% healed. I could open my mouth enough to eat without it hurting and the swelling/redness went away. The whole next day and night, I did the same thing. By morning of the 3rd day my lips were 99% healed. One more day and night and my lips feel conditioned and healthy, with no sign they were ever sore.
I hope this helps someone out there!!
Over The Counter
Posted by Dan (Aurora, Il, Usa ) on 11/02/2012
★★★★★
I have dealt with angular cheilitis for years now so I will share what works the best and the fastest for me.
When I get the cuts in the corner of my mouth I wash the cuts with liquid dish soap. (Not the kind you put in the dish washer. ) This cleans and dries out the cuts. Keeping the cuts or sores dry and clean is the number one concern here. I then apply hydrocortisone cream maximum strength with water resistance to the cuts or sores. I do this three times a day.
At night I put on an antibacterial cream. The hydro cortisone and the antibacterial cream also seems to relieve some of the pain. That is it! This usually works in 24-72 hours if you catch it early. Treating this doesn't have to be complicated.
Don't touch the cuts or lick the sores. This will make the cuts irritated and prolong the healing. Keep the cuts dry besides applying the cream. Avoid acidic beverages and alcohol.
It's has been the fastest and most convenient remedy I have found. God luck and stay well. I hope this helps!
Sincerely, Dan
Over The Counter
Posted by Marti58 (Mundelein, Il) on 07/25/2012
★★★★★
I developed angular chelitis last November. It went away then it came back. My doctor didn't know what to recommend. I tried different oitments with zero results.
Finally, I used Maximum strenth Hydrocortisone which started to heal these lesions the same day. In 3 days both cracks healed, and the area remained pink. Since it's an obvious imflammatory condition - try Cortisone. Thanks
Raw Honey and Garlic
Posted by Calimama (Ca) on 01/13/2016
★★★★★
I had angular chellitis once before and tried the dish soap cure and it worked. This time it didn't.tried rubbing alcohol, diluted bleach, b- vitamins , yogurt, clortrimazole cream-none worked.
What worked was raw honey (menuca if you can find it) and raw garlic. I cut a clove of garlic and rubbed it on the cut and surrounding area.may sting a bit. Then dabbed on the honey.
Do this several times a day and before bed.use a fresh piece of garlic each time..
Cut started healing in 2 days..
You could also make an ointment. Take a clove of garlic and grate it fine in a small bowl or mortar .add a teaspoon of the honey and a half teaspoon of coconut oil and mush.put it in jar, keep in fridge and apply several times a day until it heals in 1-3 days.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Shannon (Front Royal, Virginia) on 07/06/2011
★☆☆☆☆
I tried tea tree oil and it made it worse. I also tried plain yogurt, antibiotic ointment and hydrocortisone treatment. The crustiness just kept getting worse and it hurt to open my mouth. I actually figured out why I was getting this problem, which was due to a new mouthwash that had all kinds of really strong essential oils in it. The mouthwash works great on my mouth and gums, but the oils seep out of my mouth and into the corners causing severe irritation, redness and crustiness. I finally tried using Carmex, I had a little jar in my medicine cabinet from like 15 years ago. The crust peeled off within hours and it was healed completely after a day or two. The little tub version works, not the tube kind though.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Suzanne (Abbotsford, Bc Canada) on 09/20/2010
★☆☆☆☆
Angular chelitis - I believe mine was an allergic reaction to something I ate or drank at a wedding we attended. It came on very suddenly, but I have no clue what it was, and so far (2 days later)it's not very bad. I did put tea tree oil on it a day later when we got home, but can't say that it helped. I plan to try plain yogurt when I get some.
Tea Tree Oil, Coconut Oil
Posted by Ernini (Santa Cruz, California) on 08/11/2014
★★★★★
Several times a day, dab a drop of tea tree oil for antiseptic and healing qualities and coconut oil to moisturize and lessen cracking of the new scab that is trying to heal. Took a few days and focus while eating so as not to open my mouth too wide and break the scab again. Tis healed and gone!
Tea Tree Oil, Vitamin E
Posted by Vonnie In Ireland (Wicklow) on 09/19/2012
★★★★★
I found a really good remedy for angular cheilitis on another website. In a small jar or tupperware tub, something with a sealable lid: Mix 2 tablespoons tea tree oil, 1 tablespoon vitamin E oil and and mix with 1 and a half tablespoons vaseline. (I didn't have any vitamin E oil to hand so I took 4-5 vitamin E capsules and squeezed the oil out of them) Mix it up really well to combine the oils with vaseline. Gently rub into the cracks regularly (about 4-5 times a day). Try not to get it actually inside your mouth as the tea tree tastes pretty nasty and tends to make everything else you eat and drink taste nasty too! Within 10 mins of first using this the stinging had gone from the cracks at the corners of my mouth. By the next day the cracks seemed to be "healing" and by the third day the cracks were gone and so was the pain. Miracle! Keep this ointment in the fridge for use when needed. The above recipe makes quite a bit and you only need to use a small smear at a time. Also taking a multivitamin with vitamin Bs in can help prevent recurrence of the problem.
Replied by Lisa
(Pa., US)
02/27/2015
★★★★★
Vaseline
Posted by Samdi (Ontario) on 05/07/2014
★★★★★
Hi I have that nagging Angular Cheilitis for years you name it I use it and finally out from unexpected source I got cure remedy for now and for the 50 coming years. it's so simpel and so effective and may be it's in your bath room right now go and search for VASELINE. YES, PLAIN VASELINE! put it on side of your mouth in 2 days Angular Cheilitis will be history. Good luck for all
Replied by Sandra
(South Carolina)
08/15/2020
★☆☆☆☆
Vitamin B Complex
Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 10/28/2020
★★★★★
My 12 year old is prone to chapped lips. Over the weekend he developed a crack in the corner of his mouth. Nothing I was trying was helping. It looked awful.
I came to Earth Clinic and took notes and started him on B complex, which I had in the house.
No joke, within hours it was improving. Here 3 days later, taking 1 B Complex daily, he is almost 100 % better.
Thanks, you guys!!
Love,
~Mama to Many~
Vitamin B Complex
Posted by Anon (Usa) on 07/20/2020
★★★★★
Many years ago when my young daughter was at her dental check up, her dentist noticed she had angular cheilitis and told us it is a sign of a B vitamin deficiency. We immediately began giving her a supplement of B Complex vitamins and her skin returned to normal very quickly.
Best wishes for healing!
Vitamin B Complex
Posted by Charity (Faithville, Us) on 07/19/2020
★★★★★
I believe angular cheilitis condition is from low b vitamin, I had it when I stopped my vitamin bs for a while.
Vitamin B Complex
Posted by Bamasnowgirl72 (Gadsden, Alabama, Usa) on 02/19/2013
★★★★★
I had those horrible cracks appear in the corners of my mouth years ago & tried different items like lip balms, creams, & oils. A friend reccomended taking a vitamin B complex. She had a bottle on hand & gave me one pill. In less than 24 hours my mouth was almost completely cured! I took one more the next day, about the same time, & by the next morning, I was totally healed! For good measure, I kept taking them for over a month. Now, when I have any symptoms beginning to appear, I immediately take a vitamin B complex & within hours, I always notice a difference. Try it! You have nothing to lose except the sore corners of your mouth. ;)
Vitamin B Complex
Posted by Alison (Syracuse, New York, Usa) on 12/26/2011
★★★★★
I started to have cracks in the corner of my mouth about 3 months ago. These cracks were not only annoying and painful, but embarrassing as well. They seemed to appear out of nowhere and for no reason. I would literally begin bleeding from the corner of my mouth sometimes, and there seemed to be nothing I could do to heal it. Every time that I opened my mouth wide to eat I could feel the corner of it splitting. I was completely unsure of the cause of this issue. I thought that I may of had some strange case of a cold sore. Therefore, I began soaking these cracks with organic Apple Cider Vinegar (since it seems to be the "cure-all" for everything. ) However, the ACV did not seem to help. In fact, the cracks started looking worse and began to scab over.
At first, I thought that maybe the scabbing was a healing process and that the cracks would soon be gone. Nevertheless, even if they began to heal, inevitably they would split again.
I began researching my condition and from pictures and related articles I determined that these cracks in my mouth were not cold sores at all, but in fact Angular Chelitis. I learned that angular chelitis can be caused by a few different things, but is common to those who have a Vitamin B deficiency.
I tried many natural remedies that I found on various holistic websites, but nothing seemed to help. Finally, I bought a Vitamin B complex from a local health food store. I have been taking this vitamin for merely 2 weeks and my angular chelitis has not only healed completely, but there is also no evidence of it reappearing. In addition, this vitamin seems to give me an amazing amount of energy throughout my day, helps suppress my appetite, speed up my metabolism, and improve my overall attitude and stress management.
I normally wouldn't post on this website, but I feel that I must spread the word on this amazing natural vitamin. Hope this helps!
Replied by Jean
(Oxford, Ohio)
12/26/2011
Vitamin B Complex
Posted by Martin (Tipperary, 0) on 06/15/2011
★★★★★
I found a message board from Dr. Stoll when doing some searches on Angular Cheilitis Home Remedy. I found no other solutions online except Dr.Walts recomendation to take b 100 vitamins. A few weeks later and its totally cleared up and hasn't come back.
