Angular cheilitis

Angular cheilitis – inflammation of the corners of the lips caused by any cause (allergic, viral, bacterial, fungal, mechanical, due to certain medications or concomitant diseases).

Causes of inflammation of the corners of the lips:

• drooling or frequent licking of the corners of the lips, causing irritation
• dry lips caused by medications
• due to age deepened nasolabial folds, due to which the corners of the lips deepen and droop
• insufficient intake or impaired absorption of vitamins and trace elements (especially iron)
• due to other diseases and genetically determined dryness of the skin (e.g. it occurs more often in patients
  atopic dermatitis)

In the case of damage to the corners of the lips of any cause, the course of the disease is aggravated by contributing surface infections:

• fungal infection (Candida type fungus)
• bacterial infection (Staphylococcus aureus)
• viral infection (Herpes simplex)

Clinical Symptoms:

The disease manifests itself as a painful crack in the corners of the lips, a yellowish or bloody scab, it can be itchy. If the lesion is prolonged and untreated, the rash may spread towards the cheeks, causing superficial erosions, redness, and a feeling of discomfort when eating.

Diagnostics:

The disease and its cause are diagnosed according to the characteristic clinical picture and history, i.e. information on how the damage to the lips appeared (was there a blister, wound; what other diseases are present, what medications are being used or are being used, etc.), what is felt.

Sometimes, to clarify the cause, blood tests are performed, a sample is taken from the lesion for microscopic examination and a culture.

Treatment:

Treatment depends on the cause of cheilitis.

In case of inflammation of the lips, before consulting a doctor, the affected lips can be applied with vaseline lip pencil, avoid UV radiation from the sun, and apply cream with zinc.

Prevention:

• use a protective lip pencil with SPF (sun damaged skin is more susceptible to infection)
• do not chew, try not to lick your lips
• try to eat according to the recommendations of a healthy diet
• avoid very hot, spicy food in order not to damage the protective barrier function of the skin of the lips

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