A dental expert reveals why your go-to lip balm might be completely useless against what’s really happening
Winter’s arrival brings its familiar roster of miseries.
Endless gray skies, seasonal bugs making their rounds, and for countless people, the persistent annoyance of parched, cracking lips.
But here’s what might surprise you: some individuals find themselves trapped in a frustrating cycle where even their most trusted lip products seem powerless to provide relief.
A dental professional recently shed light on why this stubborn problem occurs so often—and the answer isn’t what you’d expect.
Dr. Joyce Kahng, who runs Orange and Magnolia Dental Studios in California, recently responded to a social media post from someone struggling with painful sores at the mouth’s edges.
The individual initially blamed the harsh winter conditions, but Dr. Kahng suggested a completely different culprit: a fungal infection lurking beneath the surface.
Speaking as @joycethedentist on Instagram, she revealed: “What you’re dealing with might actually be angular cheilitis.”
Her explanation was eye-opening: “Harmful bacteria and yeast infiltrate those tiny cracks at the mouth’s corners, creating a full-blown infection.
“That’s precisely why slathering on endless amounts of lip balm won’t make a difference—you’re not tackling the real problem underneath.”
According to Dr. Kahng, two main culprits drive this condition: Staph bacteria and Candida yeast.
Fortunately, she offered two targeted approaches to address each cause.
The dental expert advised: “When yeast is the villain, you can grab Clotrimazole from any pharmacy without a prescription.
“But if bacteria is behind your misery, you’ll need prescription antibiotic cream to knock it out.
“Then lock in your treatment with plain Vaseline—skip the fancy lip products!”
Dr. Kahng also warned against a habit that almost everyone with dry lips falls into: constantly licking the affected areas.
She clarified: “Most people assume their saliva will hydrate the skin, but it creates the exact opposite effect and actually worsens the condition.”
Some cases of angular cheilitis persist longer and may point to deeper health concerns.
These persistent episodes often trace back to nutritional gaps, particularly insufficient iron or vitamin B12 levels.
Naturally, if you’re simply dealing with typical winter dryness, standard lip moisturizers should do the trick just fine.
But when you suspect there’s something more complex at play, targeting one of these specific infections could finally put an end to your discomfort for good.