Angular cheilitis is also known as angular stomatitis. It causes swollen red patches in the corners of your mouth. Patches form where your lips come together and spread at an angle. It can affect one or both sides of your mouth.
Angular cheilitis is a common skin condition that can cause cracked, painful sores. This condition is sometimes confused with cold sores. Cold sores, on the other hand, are caused by a herpes virus and are contagious. Angular cheilitis is not spreadable.
Angular cheilitis can be treated by changing your diet, taking medication, or applying special skin ointments.
Symptoms:
- Redness
- Bleeding
- Fissures/cracks that cause pain
- Crusting
- Oozing
- Erosions
- Blisters
- Swelling
Who Is at risk of developing Angular Cheilitis
Angular cheilitis usually Affects children or the elderly. Dry mouth corners are common in older people who wear dentures or have sagging skin at the corners of their mouths. In young children who suck on a pacifier, their thumbs, or drool can irritate the area of the mouth where angular cheilitis develops.
Others who are at risk of developing angular cheilitis include people who have certain medical conditions, such as:
- Diabetes
- IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease)
- The Down syndrome
- HIV infection or other immune system disorders
- Vitamin B, protein, or iron deficiency
- Smoking
- Stress
- Age-related skin wrinkles Those who lose weight quickly
Angular Cheilitis Causes:
Angular cheilitis occurs when saliva collects and dries at the corner of your mouth, causing your skin to dry as well. If the area is allowed to dry out further, the skin will crack, allowing bacteria or fungi to grow inside the cracked area.
Inflammation and infection can be caused by bacteria and fungi. The following factors or conditions contribute to dry lip areas:
- Wearing dentures that do not fit properly
- Fungal infections in the mouth, such as candidiasis.
- Allergies to the skin
- Sucking your thumb or a pacifier
- Putting on a face mask
- Atopic dermatitis or eczema
- Drooling while sleeping
- Teeth that are misaligned
- lack of vitamin B
- yeast infection
- Dehydration
What Else Can Cause Lip Corner Cracks?
Aside from angular cheilitis, cracked lip corners can occur as a result of personal habits, environmental factors, or mild conditions such as the common cold or dehydration.
This condition is usually not serious and has no effect on your overall health, but it can be painful or uncomfortable. Bleeding can occur alongside cracked and dry skin.
Among the environmental causes are:
- Weather that is dry
- Wind exposure in cold weather
- Heating in the home
- Sun exposure
Angular Cheilitis Treatment:
The treatment of angular cheilitis is dependent on the causes. The following are some of the most common medical treatments:
Dental work
Any oral hardware, such as dentures, should fit properly. A dental professional must correct your misaligned teeth or bite with headgear, retainers, or braces.
Antibiotics
Bacterial infections can be treated with either topical or oral antibiotics.
Change in diet
Certain foods, such as those high in protein, vitamin B, and iron, can help to alleviate problems caused by a lack of nutrients or a poor diet.
Ointments and creams
Swelling and pain from a cracked mouth corner can be relieved with topical steroids or antifungal creams. You should also use petroleum jelly or lip balm to keep your mouth moisturized and protected.
Angular Cheilitis Prevention
The majority of the causes of angular cheilitis are unavoidable, but you can reduce your risk or help prevent its occurrence by doing the following:
- Keeping skin irritants and allergens away
- Eating well and drinking plenty of water
- Keep your lips hydrated.
- Avoid smoking and other tobacco products.
- Do not lick or moisten your lips.
- Do not use cosmetics that have expired.
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