Painful cracks at one or both corners of a child’s mouth. Often due to saliva irritation and yeast (Candida) overgrowth. Common with drooling, lip licking, thumb sucking, braces, or chapped lips.
Signs
- Redness, splits, and soreness at the mouth corners.
- May have a whitish film or crust; hurts to open mouth wide or eat acidic foods.
Home care
- Keep it protected and dry:
- Apply a thin layer of petrolatum or zinc oxide to corners 3–4× daily and at bedtime.
- Gently clean and pat dry after meals and toothbrushing.
- Discourage lip licking and thumb sucking; use a gentle, fragrance-free lip balm.
Medicated options
- If not improving in a few days, add an OTC antifungal cream (clotrimazole or miconazole) to the corners 2× daily, then apply the barrier ointment on top.
- If very inflamed or cracked, a clinician may prescribe a short course of mild steroid plus antifungal.
When to see a clinician
- No improvement in 1–2 weeks, severe pain/bleeding, or frequent recurrences.
- If your child has braces or dental appliances—check fit and cleaning routine.
- If there are signs of infection (yellow crust, pus) or fever.
Prevention
- Regular lip moisturization, especially in cold/windy weather.
- Rinse and dry mouth corners after meals and brushing.
- Address drooling or mouth breathing; consider a dentist check if denture/retainer fit is an issue in older kids.
Nutrition note
- Recurrent cases can be associated with iron or B-vitamin deficiency—ask your clinician if testing is needed.