During the cold winter months, many people find themselves reaching for lip balm again and again. The dry air, freezing temperatures, and harsh wind can strip moisture from the lips quickly, leaving them cracked, irritated, and uncomfortable.

For most people, chapped lips are simply an annoying seasonal problem. However, health experts say that in some cases, lips that remain persistently dry or cracked—even after using moisturizers—may indicate an underlying issue that shouldn’t be ignored.

One social media creator recently brought attention to this possibility after discovering that her chronic lip problem had an unexpected cause.

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A TikTok Creator’s Unexpected Discovery

A TikTok user known online as Pumpkin Head shared her experience with followers after months of struggling with severely chapped lips that refused to heal.

In one of her videos, she explained that a dental hygienist had contacted her after noticing the condition of her lips while watching her content.

The hygienist expressed concern and suggested that the issue might not simply be dryness. Instead, she suspected that a fungal infection could be developing around Pumpkin’s mouth.

According to the hygienist, continuing to rely on regular lip balms might not solve the problem if a fungus was involved. She recommended trying an antifungal treatment instead.

At first, the suggestion sounded unusual. But after months of discomfort and no improvement from typical lip care products, Pumpkin decided she had nothing to lose.

She applied an antifungal cream commonly used to treat athlete’s foot to the affected areas around her lips.

To her surprise, the persistent soreness and peeling she had been dealing with for months began to improve quickly. Within a short time, her lips started to heal.

Later, she revealed that the hygienist’s suspicion turned out to be correct.

She had developed a condition known as angular cheilitis.

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What Is Angular Cheilitis?

According to the NHS, angular cheilitis—sometimes called angular stomatitis—is a condition that causes cracking, soreness, and irritation at the corners of the mouth.

These symptoms occur where the upper and lower lips meet on each side.

Unlike typical dry lips, angular cheilitis specifically affects the corners of the mouth and can become quite painful if left untreated.

The condition is often caused by an infection involving Candida, a type of yeast that naturally lives in the mouth. While Candida usually exists harmlessly, it can sometimes spread to the corners of the mouth and cause inflammation and infection.

In other cases, the condition may be linked to bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus.

Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing angular cheilitis, including:

• Low levels of iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid

• Chronic digestive or bowel issues

• Saliva pooling at the corners of the mouth

• Wearing dentures that don’t properly support the lips

• Conditions that weaken the immune system

When these factors are present, the skin at the corners of the mouth may break down more easily, allowing infection to develop.

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Common Symptoms to Watch For

Not everyone with angular cheilitis experiences severe symptoms. However, there are several signs that may indicate the condition.

Possible symptoms include:

• Cracking or splitting at the corners of the mouth

• Redness or crusting in the affected areas

• Pain or soreness while eating or speaking

• Bleeding from the corners of the lips

• Deep folds or creases forming at the mouth’s edges

• Saliva constantly collecting in the corners of the mouth

These symptoms can make everyday activities like eating, smiling, or talking uncomfortable.

Pumpkin warned her followers that people with lips that “never seem to heal” might want to consider the possibility that something more than simple dryness is happening.

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A Dermatologist’s Perspective

While Pumpkin’s experience attracted attention online, dermatology experts caution that fungal infections are not the most common cause of chapped lips.

Dr. Conal Perrett, a consultant dermatologist at The Devonshire Clinic, explained that social media can sometimes make fungal infections appear far more common than they actually are.

In reality, most cases of cracked lips have much simpler explanations.

According to Dr. Perrett, the majority of lip irritation is caused by factors such as:

• Frequent lip licking

• Irritating lip products

• Allergic reactions

• Sun exposure

• Cold weather and environmental dryness

• Underlying skin conditions like eczema

He emphasized that fungal infections usually involve additional symptoms beyond dryness alone.

For example, oral candidiasis—commonly called thrush—often causes white patches inside the mouth, burning sensations, and redness, rather than just flaky lips.

Angular cheilitis, on the other hand, typically involves painful cracks specifically at the corners of the mouth, rather than dryness across the entire lip surface.

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When Should You See a Doctor?

Although dry lips are usually harmless, Dr. Perrett advises seeking medical advice if certain symptoms appear alongside dryness.

You may want to consult a healthcare professional if you notice:

• Persistent redness or swelling

• Painful cracks at the corners of the mouth

• White patches inside the mouth

• Burning sensations or inflammation

• Lips that do not improve after several weeks of treatment

A healthcare provider can usually identify the cause through a simple examination and, if necessary, a quick swab test.

Receiving the correct diagnosis ensures that treatment targets the real issue rather than guessing and potentially worsening the condition.

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Why Self-Treatment Can Be Risky

Dr. Perrett also warned against relying on internet remedies without a proper diagnosis.

Using antifungal treatments unnecessarily may actually delay recovery, especially if the real cause is irritation, allergy, or inflammation rather than infection.

When the wrong treatment is used, symptoms may persist or even worsen.

Medical professionals are trained to distinguish between different causes of lip problems, allowing them to recommend treatments that are far more effective.

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How to Manage Dry or Cracked Lips

For most people dealing with chapped lips, simple care habits can make a significant difference.

Dr. Perrett recommends the following tips:

Keep it simple
Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer such as petroleum jelly. These products protect the lips and help lock in moisture.

Avoid irritating lip products
Flavored, mentholated, or heavily scented lip balms can sometimes irritate sensitive skin.

Stop licking your lips
Although it may feel soothing temporarily, saliva actually dries the lips further and damages the protective barrier.

Protect your lips from the weather
Cold wind, sun exposure, and dry air can worsen lip irritation. Lip balms with SPF can help prevent additional damage.

Give your lips time to heal
Once irritation is removed, lips may take a couple of weeks to recover fully. Reapplying gentle moisturizers throughout the day can support healing.

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The Takeaway

Chapped lips are extremely common, especially during colder months. In most cases, they are simply the result of dry weather, irritation, or environmental exposure.

However, if lip problems persist for weeks without improvement—or if symptoms such as cracking at the corners of the mouth, redness, or pain appear—it may be worth consulting a healthcare professional.

Conditions like angular cheilitis, infections, allergies, or nutritional deficiencies can sometimes be responsible.

The key message from experts is simple: persistent symptoms shouldn’t be ignored. Identifying the real cause early can help ensure faster treatment and prevent ongoing discomfort.