Angular Cheilitis
Angular cheilitis is a type of common inflammation of the lips. In medical terms, it is called as perleche or angular Stomatitis or cheilosis. Often it affects the corner of the mouth and lips causing inflammation. This causes painful irritation on the mouth.
Symptoms :
The major symptom of angular cheilitis is soreness and inflammation on the lips and corners of the mouth. It causes painful sores, cracks or blisters on the lips. Sometimes pus like liquid would ooze out of the sores. It can also produce bleeding and redness on the mouth. Initially it starts as small infection and gradually develops into painful inflammation.
Causes :
Angular cheilitis is a type of skin infection caused by bacteria. Many factors can trigger formation of sores or lesions on the mouth corners. Nutritional deficiency, taking low doses of Vitamin B, drooling of saliva often, having low immunity, having more types of skin infection or dermatitis, and cold weather are some of the factors that can cause angular cheilitis. Cold weather can cause dryness which can induce chapping and lip licking which can lead to inflammation on the lips. Exposure to bacteria or yeast can cause Impetigo/thrush leading to painful sores on the lips.
Risk Factors :
Angular cheilitis can develop on anyone irrespective of their age and sex. People who often get Oral Thrush, people who wear dentures that are poor fitting, people who are not taking nutritious diet, people with iron deficiency or Celiac Disease, people who are prone to systemic lupus and people with sensitive skin are prone to develop angular cheilitis.
Stages :
Diagnosis :
Your doctor may complete the physical exam paying close attention to your mouth and lips and may order for mouth swab to find out if there is any bacterial or fungal infection.
Pictures of Angular Cheilitis :
Images, pics, Pictures and Photos of Angular Cheilitis
Treatment :
Often, angular cheilitis does not require any treatment. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or topical creams that contain antibiotic if the mouth sore is caused by bacterial infection. Topical antifungal creams can be applied over the infected area of the lips. Lip balm can be applied over the area frequently. In case if the problem is due to lack of nutrition you need to take nutritional supplements daily.
In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe topical creams that contain steroids to reduce inflammation. Oral commissures are sometimes treated with filler injections. Practice good oral hygiene and use antifungal mouthwash daily to get rid of mouth infection. Prescription medicine that contains clotrimazole is effective in treating angular cheilitis.
Angular cheilitis is a type of common inflammation of the lips. In medical terms, it is called as perleche or angular Stomatitis or cheilosis. Often it affects the corner of the mouth and lips causing inflammation. This causes painful irritation on the mouth.
Symptoms :
The major symptom of angular cheilitis is soreness and inflammation on the lips and corners of the mouth. It causes painful sores, cracks or blisters on the lips. Sometimes pus like liquid would ooze out of the sores. It can also produce bleeding and redness on the mouth. Initially it starts as small infection and gradually develops into painful inflammation.
Causes :
Angular cheilitis is a type of skin infection caused by bacteria. Many factors can trigger formation of sores or lesions on the mouth corners. Nutritional deficiency, taking low doses of Vitamin B, drooling of saliva often, having low immunity, having more types of skin infection or dermatitis, and cold weather are some of the factors that can cause angular cheilitis. Cold weather can cause dryness which can induce chapping and lip licking which can lead to inflammation on the lips. Exposure to bacteria or yeast can cause Impetigo/thrush leading to painful sores on the lips.
Risk Factors :
Angular cheilitis can develop on anyone irrespective of their age and sex. People who often get Oral Thrush, people who wear dentures that are poor fitting, people who are not taking nutritious diet, people with iron deficiency or Celiac Disease, people who are prone to systemic lupus and people with sensitive skin are prone to develop angular cheilitis.
Stages :
- Angular cheilitis will not develop overnight. Initially it may cause slight discomfort in the corners of the mouth and after few days a breakout will start with mild soreness on the lips and mouth corners.
- In the next stage, it can cause mild symptoms like discomfort in opening your mouth. You may have problems in eating and swallowing. The mouth corners will become inflamed and for some people the area becomes red with sores. The soft skin of the mouth will peel off to form red lesions.
- In the final stage, the person will have great discomfort and pain on the mouth. In severe cases, it can cause extreme pain and redness on the corners of the mouth.
Diagnosis :
Your doctor may complete the physical exam paying close attention to your mouth and lips and may order for mouth swab to find out if there is any bacterial or fungal infection.
Pictures of Angular Cheilitis :
Images, pics, Pictures and Photos of Angular Cheilitis
Treatment :
Often, angular cheilitis does not require any treatment. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or topical creams that contain antibiotic if the mouth sore is caused by bacterial infection. Topical antifungal creams can be applied over the infected area of the lips. Lip balm can be applied over the area frequently. In case if the problem is due to lack of nutrition you need to take nutritional supplements daily.
In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe topical creams that contain steroids to reduce inflammation. Oral commissures are sometimes treated with filler injections. Practice good oral hygiene and use antifungal mouthwash daily to get rid of mouth infection. Prescription medicine that contains clotrimazole is effective in treating angular cheilitis.
No comments:
Post a Comment