How to Heal Cuts in the Corner of the Mouth

Angular cheilitis is a term for cuts in the corners of the mouth. Some people are more prone to getting lesions in the corners of the mouth, in addition to other places that expand as they move, such as the back of the knee and crook of the elbow. To heal these cuts, you must first understand what causes them and then begin treatment.

Know that a vitamin B and iron deficiencies can cause angular cheilitis. In addition, you could be allergic to a product such as toothpaste or lipstick. Dehydration can also cause cuts to appear in the corners of your mouth. Finally, you could have a yeast or bacterial infection.

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Take a vitamin B complex supplement and an iron supplement if your physician says that it's all right. Drink plenty of fluids. You need the equivalent of eight 8 oz. cups of water every day. Go through all of your personal-care products, and stop using any that you started using on your face or in your mouth around the time the cuts appeared.

Keep the corners of your mouth dry, and don't touch your mouth with your hands. Avoid foods that could irritate the lesions, such as spicy and citrus foods, and wash your mouth with water after eating. Before you go to bed at night, apply a very thin layer of petroleum jelly to the sores to moisturize the skin and aid healing.

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Visit your health-care practitioner if the cuts have not begun to heal in about a week. He can determine if you have a more complex underlying condition that requires medication.

Warnings

Don't kiss anyone until the cuts have healed, in case an infection caused them.

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