What Vitamin Deficiency Causes Itchy Lips and Cracks?

December 5, 2025 •

3 min read

According to research, deficiencies in several key nutrients, particularly B vitamins like riboflavin (B2), can contribute to painful inflammation and dryness of the lips. A deficiency in specific vitamins is one of several potential causes, and a common question for those experiencing persistent lip issues is, 'What vitamin deficiency causes itchy lips?'

Quick Summary

Itchy lips can be caused by deficiencies in B vitamins (B2, B6, B12), iron, and zinc. These nutritional shortfalls can trigger a condition called cheilitis, which results in inflammation, cracking, and dryness around the mouth.

Key Points

B Vitamin Deficiencies: A lack of B vitamins, particularly riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine (B6), and cobalamin (B12), is a common cause of cracked, itchy, and inflamed lips.
Angular Cheilitis: The painful cracking at the corners of the mouth, known as angular cheilitis, is a hallmark symptom of riboflavin and iron deficiencies.
Iron Deficiency Connection: Anemia from low iron levels can cause angular cheilitis by impairing tissue repair and cell turnover.
Zinc's Role: Zinc is essential for skin health and wound healing, and a deficiency can manifest as chapped lips and inflammation around the mouth.
Beyond Nutrition: Itchy lips and cheilitis can also be caused by infections (fungal or bacterial), lip-licking habits, or allergic contact dermatitis, so proper diagnosis is crucial.
Balanced Diet is Key: Increasing your intake of foods rich in B vitamins, iron, and zinc—like eggs, lean meat, and leafy greens—can help prevent and treat nutritionally-based lip issues.

Common Nutritional Deficiencies Linked to Itchy Lips

Chronic or recurring itchy, dry, and cracked lips can be a sign that your body lacks certain essential vitamins and minerals. While environmental factors like cold weather and sun exposure are common culprits, underlying nutritional deficiencies are often overlooked.

B Vitamin Complex

The B vitamin complex is vital for cellular function, energy production, and tissue repair. Deficiencies in several B vitamins are well-known causes of cheilitis, the medical term for lip inflammation. Each B vitamin plays a specific role in maintaining skin and lip health, and a shortfall can manifest as oral symptoms.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): One of the most frequently cited causes of ariboflavinosis, which presents as painful, cracked mouth corners (angular cheilitis), inflamed lips, and a sore magenta tongue.
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6): A deficiency can lead to scaly lips and cracks at the corners of the mouth.
Folate (Vitamin B9) and Cobalamin (Vitamin B12): These are also linked to cheilitis and other oral symptoms, especially in cases of malabsorption or restrictive diets.

Iron and Zinc

Beyond B vitamins, two crucial minerals also play a significant role in maintaining healthy lip tissue. Iron and zinc are essential for cell growth, immune function, and wound healing.

Iron: Iron deficiency anemia can lead to angular cheilitis, characterized by inflammation and dryness at the mouth's corners. In severe cases, it can impair cell turnover, leaving the delicate lip tissue more susceptible to infection.
Zinc: As a trace mineral vital for skin repair and immunity, a lack of zinc can cause chapped lips, inflammation, and sores around the mouth.

The Role of Nutritional Deficiencies in Cheilitis

Nutritional deficiencies can compromise the delicate skin on your lips, which lacks the protective oil glands found elsewhere on the body. This makes the lips more vulnerable to environmental damage and inflammation.

Impaired Wound Healing: Deficiencies in nutrients like zinc and B vitamins can slow down the body's natural healing process, making cracks and sores on the lips harder to mend.
Weakened Immune Function: A lack of certain B vitamins and zinc can weaken the immune system, increasing susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections that can worsen cheilitis, such as Candida albicans.
Reduced Cell Turnover: Iron deficiency can specifically impact cell regeneration, leading to thinner, more fragile tissue around the mouth that cracks easily.

Nutritional Sources and Deficiency Symptoms Comparison


Nutrient	Key Food Sources	Associated Lip Symptoms	Other Deficiency Symptoms
Riboflavin (B2)	Milk, eggs, lean meats, fortified cereals, green vegetables	Cracked mouth corners, sore lips, magenta tongue	Sore throat, skin rashes, eye fatigue
Pyridoxine (B6)	Chickpeas, fish, poultry, bananas, potatoes	Scaly lips, cracks at mouth corners	Anemia, depression, fatigue
Cobalamin (B12)	Meat, fish, dairy, fortified foods	Cheilitis, pale lips, smooth tongue	Fatigue, nerve issues, mood changes
Iron	Red meat, lentils, beans, spinach	Angular cheilitis, pale lips	Fatigue, brittle nails, pallor
Zinc	Oysters, red meat, nuts, dairy	Chapped lips, inflammation around the mouth	Diarrhea, hair loss, weakened immunity

When to Seek Medical Advice

If at-home treatments like lip balm and increased hydration don't resolve your lip discomfort, it may be time to consult a healthcare provider. A doctor can help determine if a nutritional deficiency is the cause through blood tests and can also rule out other potential issues, such as fungal or bacterial infections, allergic reactions, or other systemic conditions. A personalized treatment plan, which may include dietary adjustments or supplements, can be developed to address the root cause and provide lasting relief.

For more in-depth information on nutrient deficiencies, you can visit the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements website.

Conclusion

While dry, itchy lips can often be attributed to environmental factors, chronic or severe symptoms may indicate a deeper issue. Specific vitamin deficiencies, especially in the B vitamin family (B2, B6, B12), and minerals like iron and zinc are commonly associated with inflammatory lip conditions like cheilitis. Addressing these underlying nutritional gaps through a balanced diet or targeted supplementation is key to healing your lips and improving your overall well-being. Consulting a healthcare professional is the best way to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common deficiency linked to chapped lips is riboflavin (vitamin B2). Its deficiency can cause inflammation and cracks, especially at the corners of the mouth, a condition known as angular cheilitis.

Yes, low iron levels can cause cracked and itchy lips. Iron deficiency anemia can specifically trigger angular cheilitis, the inflammation and fissuring at the angles of the mouth.

If your itchy lips persist despite using a high-quality lip balm and staying hydrated, and are accompanied by other symptoms like a sore tongue, fatigue, or skin rashes, a vitamin deficiency may be the cause. A doctor can perform blood tests for an accurate diagnosis.

Other conditions causing itchy lips include fungal or bacterial infections, allergic reactions to cosmetics or toothpaste, excessive lip-licking, and cold or dry weather. Underlying conditions like inflammatory bowel disease can also affect nutrient absorption.

The healing time can vary depending on the severity of the deficiency and the individual. With proper treatment, such as dietary changes or supplementation, many people see improvement within weeks. However, persistent or severe cases may require more time and medical supervision.

To heal lips affected by vitamin deficiencies, incorporate foods rich in B vitamins, iron, and zinc. Examples include milk, eggs, lean meats, leafy green vegetables, lentils, nuts, and fortified cereals.

Over-the-counter supplements can help if a nutritional deficiency is confirmed as the cause of your cheilitis. However, it's best to consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, as some vitamins can have side effects in high doses.