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.
Vitamin E
Posted by Christi (FL) on 10/24/2022
★★★★★
Hi there! I used vitamin E oil on a Q-tip and it healed up my angular cheilitis the two times I had a bout. I do know I have Sjogren's mouth dryness so perhaps this is why the remedy worked. It was my underlying cause. However, I had also taken a mushroom complex for a couple of days and this triggered my first bout. Sugar triggered another bout. My guess here is that I'm loaded with Candida. I have also lived in a mold home.
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.
Avoid Peppermint Products
Posted by Lorayne (Napa, Ca) on 09/04/2018
★★★★★
I just started having cracks in the corner of my mouth 6 months ago. First time was in February and just thought it was the cold weather and dry because of having the heat on etc. Next time was in July, suffered for a week and then it got better, came right back, cleared up when I started using OTC Hydrocortisone cream. It came back again a week later and I was just ready to go see a dermatologist. I thought about what was I doing differently and remembered that I bought new toothpaste, A&H Peroxicare. I looked it up on line and a LOT of people were having trouble with this toothpaste and mouth cracks, dry lips, dry mouth, tongue irritation. Stopped using it right away and within 24 hours the difference is almost 100% healed. I used the hydrocortisone cream for about 12 more hours since I was having an allergic reaction. 24 hours later, I don't even need that now. I never would have dreamed that I would ever be allergic to toothpaste but there is some ingredient in it that is causing a lot of irritation to a lot of people. I think back in February, I was using the same toothpaste but I couldn't swear to it. Good Luck finding your cure, the mouth cracks are painful.
Borax
Posted by Susan (PA) on 05/27/2026
★★★★★
Thank you Art! My husband tried this and it worked quickly and well. He applied the solution two times per day for about two weeks.
Honey, Athlete's Foot Cream
Posted by Sf (San Francisco, Ca) on 12/07/2017
★★★★★
I got angular cheilitis from being exposed to harsh cold conditions without proper lip moisturizer/sunscreen and face protection. My lips puffed up, the cracks at the edges of my lips were raw and painful, the skin around my mouth broke out and then got crusty and flaky, I had pus buildup, and the skin under my lips broke.
What didn't work for me:
Garlic and honey paste, teabags, cucumber, Vaseline, aquaphor
What ended up working:
I switched in between applying local raw honey to the cracks, rinsed it off after an hour, then applied athletes foot cream (from CVS), throughout the day. Burt's beeswax chapstick (original), helped with the chapped lips, and vitamin e oil helped with the flaky skin. I also stopped using fluoride gel toothpaste when brushing my teeth and used just basic white fluoride toothpaste, as it doesn't sting the cuts at all.
it's been under a week since I've been using this regimen and I'm almost healed.
Folic Acid
Posted by Dolly (Cherry Hill, Nj) on 08/12/2013
★★★★★
Folic Acid supplements works for Angular Chelitis.
Artificial Sweetener Link
Posted by Madelyn (Idaho ) on 03/14/2023
No reaction to erythritol that I know of. However, I did have what I believe was angular chelitis on two separate occasions after eating cheap, non organic soy sauce. Once I switched back to organic Tamari sauce I haven't had it come back. However, I recently saw in the news erythritol has been linked to an increase in adverse heart effects. I would use it sparingly regardless.
Vitamin B Complex
Posted by Rascal (Vancouver, Wa) on 04/30/2010
★★★★★
I had a growing spot of angular chelitis on the left side of my mouth, and had tried fungal cream and constant application of all natural lip balm. After about three works, I started to get desperate. I eat a really balanced diet and didn't think I could be B deficient, but I bought a B complex and took one at dinner one night...by the next morning, the crack had healed considerably and was not as painful. Two more B complexes later and a little lip balm for the dryness and I am back to normal 100%.
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.
Over The Counter
Posted by Deanna (Illinois) on 12/25/2015
★★★★★
I swear by Apple Cider Vinegar and baking soda do take care of alot of aliments, but I found NOT for this, maybe too strong? irritated, made it worse for the cracked corners of mouth ...what worked for me was Cortozone 10 in the OINTMENT not the cream...90% better next day 100% day 3.
I believe mine was caused by old lipstick. Suffered for 2 weeks plus, complained to my friend about it, who said try the ointment not the cream... worked.
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
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.
Artificial Sweetener Link
Posted by Amy (Orlando, FL) on 03/13/2023
★★★★★
I think erythritol gives me angular chelitis. Went to a dermatologist. She prescribed nystatin ointment and gave me a sample tube of Eucrisa. The Eucrisa reduced the swelling, redness, and cracks, but it came back. So I've started the Nystatin. Anybody else react to erythritol?
Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Janet G. (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) on 09/29/2009
★★★★★
After one bad year of chelitis I found something totally at random which was very effective. I noticed that once i introduced flax oil daily to my diet the problem quickly vanished. I took a total of 6 capsules daily at 3 intervals the capsules were 1000 mg. Each. I have never had the condition again. So 2 capsules 3 times daily...inexpensive and it worked.
Avoid Peppermint Products
Posted by Maya (Treasure Coast Florida) on 11/08/2017
★★★★★
I'm so glad you mentioned toothpaste! I just got a new brand.. from a health food store.. what I noticed is it's super foamy (unlike other natural brands) this may very well be the cause of my AC which is extremely rare for me to get.. in fact I don't remember last time I had it and was so surprised when it developed just the other day!
Avoid Peppermint Products
Posted by Healthy Girl (Mesa, Az) on 07/13/2017
★★★★★
I battled angular cheilitis for over two years. I tried anti-fungal creams, B-complex vitamins, turmeric, different essential oils, yogurt, ointments - you name it, I probably tried it! It came on so suddenly that it had me stumped. At times it would get better and then flair up again, although not as bad as the first time I came down with it. I think I have finally solved my problem:
I believe I have developed an allergy to the peppermint oil in my toothpaste and lip balm. I also think that Xylitol makes it come back. Recently, I started brushing my teeth with straight baking soda and salt and then I gargle with peroxide. When my lips start getting chapped, I put Vaseline on them, although I still wear lipstick just about every day. It has now been two months and no peeling or cracking at the corners of my mouth. I think cheilitis can be caused by many different things whether it is an allergy, fungal or a deficiency.
I hope found my cure - the real test will be when I go to the dentist the end of this month. Hopefully, I won't have a flair-up.
Avoid Peppermint Products
Posted by Diana (Fl) on 01/13/2018
★★★★★
Thank you! I have actually had this since a teenager and I'm now in my 60's. My dentist never knew how to help me. It's not constant but it does flare up. I take a live liquid probiotic which really helps. Lately it has been terrible, hurts like crazy, and the probiotic isn't helping. You just solved my problem I think! I've been drinking lots of Peppermint chocolate coffee's from Starbucks! No more peppermint!
Bee Propolis
Posted by Gc (Belgium) on 12/08/2014
★★★★★
Propolis Balm for lips (5% of Propolis, 20% of Butter shea) cured my angular cheilitis in 2 days.
The problem was due to drooling during sleep, so if you happen to have the same problem, just put some balm for lips at night and you're done :-)
Anyway, I also have seborrheic dermatitis on the face for which current evidence demonstrates that it results from a nonspecific immune response to Malassezia yeasts.
***Complete paper --> Malassezia Yeasts Implicated in Atopic Dermatitis
Research on Propolis already shown results on Malassezia for dogs who had dermatitis.
*** Complete paper --> The Antimycotic Effectt of Some Bee Products and Vegetal Extracts on Genus Malassezia Fungi
I'm actually testing Propolis' supplements (3 caps / day), I'll let you know if I have results.
I hope this will help you, Feel free to let me know if you have any question.
Best regards,
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
Tea Tree Oil, Vitamin E
Posted by Lisa (Pa., US) on 02/27/2015
★★★★★
Its working! Tea tree oil, Vitamin E and vaseline mixed together. Amazing!!!
