Khaberni - How many lip balm packs have you consumed during the year 2025? If your answer is "too many" and yet your lips are still suffering from dryness and chronic cracking, perhaps it's time to stop buying more balms and start looking for the real cause behind this issue.
Content creator Pumpkin Head has revealed a hidden aspect of lip problems through a message she received from a dental hygienist, who noticed Pumpkin’s chronic lip cracking.
The message was not a criticism but a warning about a type of fungus that might grow in the corners of the mouth, with a strange piece of advice: "Try an antifungal cream".
After strenuous and unsuccessful attempts with the most expensive moisteners, Pumpkin decided to follow the bold advice and used an “athlete's foot” antifungal cream. The result? Complete disappearance of the pain and peeling that had persisted for months. According to the website "Metro", this experience highlighted a medical condition known as "angular cheilitis".
This inflammation is not just transient dryness, but may worsen due to several factors including smoking, improper dental braces, and vitamin B deficiency.
Medical Opinion: Don’t blindly follow self-treatment "trends"
Despite Pumpkin’s successful experience, doctors emphasize the importance of avoiding incorrect diagnoses. Dr. Kunal Perret, a dermatologist at Devonshire Clinic, clarified that most cases of lip cracking are due to traditional causes such as frequent lip licking, allergies, or sun exposure, and not fungi as social media may suggest.
Dr. Perret says: "Social media has made fungal infections appear more common than they are. Treating the wrong cause with inappropriate products may prolong suffering and increase irritation".
Signs that the problem might be "fungal"
If you suspect that you have a fungal infection on your lips, look for these additional symptoms:
White spots inside the mouth.
Severe redness in the corners of the lips.
A burning sensation or pain when opening the mouth.
Instead of resorting to random home treatments, a dermatologist provides a roadmap to recovery:
Use simple moisturizers like unscented petroleum jelly.
Avoid scented or flavored products as they increase irritation.
Immediately stop licking, biting, or manually peeling dry skin.
It is essential to use a lip-specific sunscreen (SPF) for protection against wind and sun.
Lips need two weeks of commitment to gentle moisturizers to start recovering.
Warning
If the cracking persists for more than 3 weeks, or if unusual swelling and redness appear, it becomes necessary to consult a doctor, as a simple check-up or "quick swab" can save you months of pain and frustration.
