If you spent 2025 applying lip balm constantly with no relief from sore, cracked lips, a surprising culprit could be to blame. A recent social media story has highlighted how a common fungal infection, not just dryness, might be the root cause of persistent lip problems.
The TikTok Diagnosis That Worked
In January 2026, a TikTok creator known as Pumpkin Head shared a revealing story. A dental hygienist who followed her online noticed her perpetually chapped lips and sent a direct message. The follower suggested a 'kind of fungus' might be growing on her face and recommended trying an anti-fungal cream.
Initially affronted, Pumpkin Head realised none of her hydrating masks, oils, or balms had helped; in fact, the problem was worsening. Heeding the advice, she bought an athlete's foot cream and applied it. The soreness and flakiness she'd endured for months cleared up rapidly, leading her to admit the dental hygienist was '100% right'.
Her diagnosis was angular cheilitis, an inflammatory condition. In her case, she believes smoking exacerbated it by allowing bacteria easier entry. However, it can also be triggered by ill-fitting braces or a vitamin B deficiency. She warned her 141,000 followers to consider a fungal cause 'if your lips are never healing, like ever'.
Expert Insight: Fungal Causes Are Over-Suspected
While Pumpkin's story had a positive outcome, dermatologists urge caution. Dr Conal Perrett, a consultant dermatologist at The Devonshire Clinic, states that while there's a grain of truth, 'social media has made fungal causes sound far more common than they are'.
'In the vast majority of cases, cracked lips are due to irritation, frequent lip licking, allergic reactions, sun damage, or an underlying skin condition, not fungus,' he explains.
Dr Perrett clarifies that when a fungal infection like oral candidiasis (thrush) is involved, symptoms usually extend beyond simple dryness. Patients typically notice:
- White patches inside the mouth
- Redness at the corners of the lips
- Soreness or a burning sensation
- Painful cracks specifically at the mouth corners (angular cheilitis)
He warns that fungal skin conditions are often missed because 'they don't always look dramatic', presenting subtly as mild scaling or discolouration.
Safe Treatment and When to See a Doctor
Dr Perrett strongly advises against self-treating with anti-fungal creams based on social media advice alone, even if it worked for one individual. 'Using anti-fungal treatments without a clear diagnosis can delay proper treatment and worsen irritation,' he says. A clinician can often distinguish the cause with a simple examination or swab.
For general chapped lip care, he recommends:
Keep it simple: Use a bland, fragrance-free emollient like petroleum jelly regularly to protect the lip barrier.
Avoid irritants: Steer clear of flavoured, mentholated, or essential-oil lip balms that can slow healing.
Don't lick or pick: Saliva breaks down the delicate lip surface, worsening cracking.
Protect from weather: Use a lip product with SPF to guard against cold, wind, and sun.
Know when to seek help: If lips don't improve after two to three weeks, or if there's pain, redness, swelling, or corner cracking, seek medical advice to rule out eczema, allergy, or infection.
