Perleche (cracks at corners of mouth)
Why are my lips cracked at the corners?
Dry, cracked, or chapped lips are common (see Dry Lips article), but when the corners split, it’s called perleche. It can be painful—especially when eating, talking, waking up, or even yawning.
Perleche can be triggered by cold air, lip licking, drooling (from braces or dentures), irritating lip products, or sunburn. The most common medication that causes it is isotretinoin (Accutane).
It’s frustrating, and while licking feels natural, saliva actually makes it worse.
How do I fix perleche (cracks at the corners of the mouth)?
Perleche usually needs both moisturizing and antifungal treatment to heal:
Apply a topical antifungal cream (like clotrimazole) twice daily to the corners of the mouth.
Use a bland, thick moisturizer (Vaseline or Aquaphor) several times a day, with a thick layer at bedtime.
A urea-based lip balm (e.g., Flexitol Lip Balm) works best when the lips are cracked.
Avoid licking your lips—saliva can irritate the already dry, cracked skin.
If the area is red or irritated, apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone 1% ointment a few times a day, then cover with Vaseline or Aquaphor. Lip balms with hydrocortisone (FixMySkin, Dr. Dan’s) are convenient options.
What if my perleche isn’t getting better?
Most perleche improves with the steps above. If it persists, bacteria on the skin may be slowing healing. You can try a topical antibiotic like Neosporin (stop if it causes irritation or an allergic reaction). For stubborn cases, see a board-certified dermatologist in your area. If you are in or near Utah, see one of my excellent colleagues at the University of Utah or me virtually with Honeydew.
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