What Is Angular Cheilitis?

Cheilitis, angular cheilitis, perleche, and cheilosis...all of these are terms for the same condition, and the results aren't pretty

. Causing a great deal of pain and discomfort to those who suffer from it, the condition is frequently also a source of a great deal of embarrassment in social settings.

What is angular cheilitis exactly? And what causes the condition? The first question can be answered easily enough. The second isn't quite that easy to pin down. Let's tackle the definition first.

Perleche or cheilosis is an inflammation that occurs in the corners of the mouth or the lips. It is also known by various other names including angular cheilitis and angular stomatitis. Regardless of the term used, these refer to the same condition. Angular cheilitis is characterized by the development of sores on the problem areas, which may crack and begin to bleed as the condition runs its course. In more severe cases of angular cheilitis, even the simple act of opening the mouth in order to yawn or to eat can cause severe pain and cause the sores to bleed. The condition has also been known to cause a significant degree of swelling or the appearance of a reddish rash in the skin just adjacent to the mouth.

Although sharing many characteristics with other related conditions such as cold sores, perleche is an entirely different condition that requires a different treatment approach. It is also important to note that angular cheilitis itself is not contagious and doesn't usually causes any lasting illustration effects. In fact, most cases of cheilosis will clear up even without medicinal intervention, if only the symptoms didn't require immediate attention.

As for the cause of angular cheilitis, the medical community is largely divided-and sometimes somewhat baffled-by the issue. Some medical practitoners believe that the condition is the direct result of a fungal or bacterial infection. In particular, the candida albicans fungus has been linked to the development of the condition. For patients in which the root cause of angular cheilitis has been established as being bacterial or fungal in nature, the most common treatment approach is the use of a topical cream that contains antibacterial or antifungal ingredients. Most such remedies are available over-the-counter in many pharmacies and some supermarkets, although some will require a prescription.

Some cases of angular cheilitis may simply be caused by constant exposure of the affected area to saliva. In people with poorly fitting dentures or braces, the corners of the mouth often collect and retain saliva for long periods throughout the day. When this happens, the corners of the mouth effectively become breeding grounds for bacteria, and angular cheilitis may result.

More recent studies suggest a possible link between vitamin and mineral deficiency and the development of cheilosis. people with insufficient levels of zinc, vitamin B12 or iron in their diets have been shown to be at slightly higher risk of developing the symptoms of angular cheilitis. For such cases, a doctor may prescribe a regular vitamin and mineral regimen.

by: Gen Wright

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