6. Crust
The bacteria and fungi that cause angular cheilitis are most active at night when the patient is not consciously aware of the infection in their mouth.
People that sleep on their side or their stomach may notice that they wake up in the morning with crust formation around the corners of their mouth and in the cracks in their lips. This situation occurs because the patient does not lick their lips while sleeping, giving the bacteria a chance to solidify and form the crust.
This symptom takes on the appearance of white or yellowish crust in the corners of the mouth, and on rare occasions, it may form a dribble pattern down the sides of the mouth if the patient sleeps on their side with their mouth open.
When waking in the morning, don’t try to pull the crust off straight away, as you may induce bleeding. Soak your lips using warm water and gently rub it off.