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Angular cheilitis
The causes of angular cheilitis
Angular cheilitis significantly impacts our daily eating habits; once affected, it often causes pain during meals. There are many factors behind the onset of angular cheilitis, primarily due to nutritional deficiencies, especially a lack of Vitamin B6. Therefore, we should avoid picky or poor eating habits and consume foods rich in vitamins to supplement deficiencies. Another cause is infection by bacteria or viruses. We need to enhance our immunity to prevent these pathogens from causing angular cheilitis. Additionally, irritants in the mouth, such as foreign bodies, can lead to angular cheilitis. When getting dental crowns or undergoing treatment, it is crucial to choose proper medical procedures to reduce irritation to the oral mucosa.
How to determine the type of angular cheilitis.
Angular cheilitis is relatively common in everyday life, especially prevalent among children. The most common type seen is nutritional angular cheilitis, generally caused by a deficiency in vitamins due to children’s frequent picky eating, loss of appetite, and malnutrition. The symptoms usually manifest as moist whitish areas at both corners of the mouth, accompanied by ulcers and raw sores. In severe cases, it can spread to the inner mucosa and vary in length. Another type of angular cheilitis is streptococcal angular cheilitis, generally caused by infections from streptococci or staphylococci. This type of cheilitis typically results in erosion at the corners of the mouth, present with horizontal lines, and due to the bacterial infection, localized bleeding, crusting, and pus formation may occur. Local cleansing followed by the application of antibiotic ointments can be very effective for treating this condition. A less common type is fungal angular cheilitis, also known as candidal infection angular cheilitis, typically occurring in children when their immunity is compromised. The moist local environment leads to similar damage at the corners of the mouth, along with whitish erosion. It is crucial to maintain hygiene and boost the child's immune system to manage this type of angular cheilitis.
Does lip balm work for angular cheilitis?
Angular cheilitis is a relatively common phenomenon during the autumn and winter seasons, generally due to the dry weather, which may cause the lips to crack. If the lips have not yet cracked, applying lip balm regularly can help moisturize and repair the lips. However, if angular cheilitis occurs and there is already some skin damage and peeling, it is recommended that patients apply an anti-inflammatory ointment, which can aid in anti-inflammatory repair. Lip balm can generally be used for daily application to moisturize, but it is still recommended that patients seek appropriate treatment and possibly take some vitamins or trace elements orally.
The difference between angular cheilitis and herpes.
Angular cheilitis is a relatively common oral disease in daily life, often occurring during the autumn and winter seasons. This is mainly because during the dry weather of these seasons, patients lacking some trace elements or vitamins in their bodies can easily develop inflammation. The symptoms of angular cheilitis and herpes that occur in any season are quite similar, so many patients can easily get confused. The inducement of angular cheilitis is generally due to some patients' lack of vitamins and related to the weather, which can cause ruptures in the mucous membranes of the mouth corners and some dryness of the lips. As the condition worsens, symptoms such as swelling, erythema, ulcers, and rough skin appear in the area of the mouth corners. If caused by herpes, it results in blisters due to herpes virus infection.