Skin peeling around the mouth can be an uncomfortable experience. This common issue stems from various sources, including environmental factors, product reactions, or underlying health conditions. Understanding these potential reasons is the first step toward finding relief and maintaining healthy skin in this sensitive area.
Everyday Causes
Environmental factors frequently contribute to skin peeling around the mouth. Exposure to cold temperatures, dry air, or strong winds can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness and peeling. Low humidity levels, both indoors and outdoors, can exacerbate this lack of hydration, affecting the delicate skin around the lips.
Frequent lip licking, while seemingly a way to add moisture, actually worsens the problem. Saliva contains digestive enzymes that can irritate the skin’s protective barrier when applied repeatedly. This continuous cycle of wetting and drying leads to significant dryness, cracking, and peeling. Sun exposure is another common cause, as sunburn can cause the skin around the mouth to blister and peel. In infants, constant drooling, especially during teething, creates a persistently moist environment that can irritate the skin, resulting in a “drool rash” that may include peeling.
Reactions to Products and Substances
External products and substances applied to or near the mouth can trigger skin peeling. This often occurs due to contact dermatitis, an inflammatory skin reaction. It can be either irritant contact dermatitis, caused by direct irritation, or allergic contact dermatitis, an immune response to an allergen. Ingredients in everyday items like lip balms, toothpastes, cosmetics, or cleansers are common triggers.
Specific irritants and allergens frequently found in these products include fragrances, dyes, preservatives, and foaming agents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Certain flavorings in toothpaste, such as mint, cinnamon, or spearmint, are common causes of allergic reactions around the mouth. Reactions can manifest as redness, itching, swelling, and peeling of the skin. Identifying and avoiding the specific substance causing the reaction is an important step in managing this type of peeling.
Dermatological Conditions and Infections
Several dermatological conditions and infections can lead to skin peeling around the mouth. Eczema, particularly atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed patches that can crack and peel. This condition can affect the lips and the skin immediately surrounding them, sometimes appearing as red, scaly, or bumpy rashes. Psoriasis, an autoimmune condition, can also cause thick, silvery scales and red patches, occasionally appearing around the mouth area.
Angular cheilitis presents as cracking, redness, and peeling at the corners of the mouth. This condition is frequently linked to fungal infections, such as Candida yeast, or bacterial infections, often exacerbated by moisture accumulation. Constant wetness from saliva, ill-fitting dentures, or thumb-sucking can create an environment conducive to these infections.
Herpes simplex virus, responsible for cold sores, can also result in peeling. After the fluid-filled blisters rupture and scab over, the healing process involves the scab peeling off. Impetigo, a bacterial skin infection common in children, causes sores that typically appear around the nose and mouth. These sores initially blister, then burst, and form a honey-colored crust that eventually peels away.
Systemic Factors and Medications
Internal bodily factors and certain medications can also contribute to skin peeling around the mouth. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly those involving B vitamins like riboflavin and niacin, and minerals such as zinc, can affect skin health and manifest as dryness and peeling. These deficiencies can compromise the skin’s integrity and its ability to repair itself.
Certain medications are known to cause skin dryness and peeling as a side effect. Oral retinoids, commonly prescribed for severe acne (like isotretinoin), significantly decrease oil production in the skin, leading to widespread dryness, with dry lips being a common manifestation. Topical retinoids, used for acne and anti-aging, also promote skin cell turnover, which can result in dryness, redness, and flaking. Chemotherapy drugs, diuretics (water pills), and some cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) can also lead to dry skin, which may include the perioral area.
When to Consult a Professional
If skin peeling around the mouth persists despite home care, or if it worsens, it is important to seek professional medical advice. Signs of a more serious issue include significant pain, increased redness, swelling, or the presence of pus, which could indicate an infection. If the peeling rash begins to spread beyond the mouth area, or if you are uncertain about the underlying cause, a healthcare provider can offer a diagnosis. Consulting a doctor is also advisable if you suspect a reaction to a product or medication, or if an underlying health condition might be contributing to the symptoms.