There is a very common condition characterised by cracks or red fissures at corner of mouth. Initially small cracks appears which gradually becomes deep inflamed fissures. Sometimes scaling and fissuring of upper and lower lips can appear. This causes soreness, burning, pain and discomfort. These can be either on one side or both sides.
This clinical condition is called angular cheilitis, cheilosis or angular stomatitis. This condition is common in individual suffering from nutritional deficiency, debilitated person, diabetic and person taking antibiotics for long duration. This problem can be symptom of nutritional deficiency of iron and vitamin B complex (especially riboflavin and pyridoxine).
The treatment of angular stomatitis involves taking vitamin B complex group and adding more vitamin B2 in daily diet.
Food source of this vitamins are soybeans, milk, egg, cheese, yogurt, spinach, avocados, asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and nuts.
For getting relief from pain and discomfort lip balms, medicated chap sticks, creams, Vaseline can be applied.
In case cracks become infected, an OTC broad spectrum antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin can be applied 4-5 times per day. There are few other topical antifungal creams which can be used as ointment.