What Is Cheilitis?

If you have ever had to deal with sores in the corners of mouth before

, then you already have some idea of the pain and discomfort that so many sufferers of angular cheilitis have to go through. A fairly common yet bothersome condition, angular cheilitis isn't usually any cause for concern, although it has to be treated in order to prevent the condition from progressing into much more serious health issues.

But what is cheilitis exactly? And what is the root cause of the condition. The question "what is cheilitis?" is easy enough to answer, as it is simply a condition affecting the mouth. In particular, people who suffer from the condition experience the growth of sores on the corners of mouth. This is the most common symptom of the condition, and it is the primary cause of the discomfort that so often accompanies angular cheilitis. The sores in the corners of mouth are actually inflammatory lesions that form at the site of the labial commissure. These tend to occur bilaterally, which means that sores in the corners of mouth develop on both sides. In fact, two sores on the corners of mouth is a good indication that the condition is indeed angular cheilitis, and not some other type of infection.

In more server cases of angular cheilitis, the sores on the corners of mouth may progress into deep cracks or splits in the affected area of the lips. These cracks can even bleed when the mouth is opened. This can make eating, talking, and especially yawning quite painful. Over time, the cracks may form a scab or a crust.

While the question "what is cheilitis?" can be answered easily enough, the root causes of the condition are a bit more difficult to identify. One of the most prevalent theories is that the sores in the corners of mouth are caused by a deficiency in certain nutrients, particularly vitamin B2 or riboflavin. It is also thought that the initial stages of the condition may be triggered by an iron deficiency, which explains why angular cheilitis is often experienced by people who have poor diets or some kind of nutritional deficiency. In some people, zinc deficiency has been suspected of causing the condition.

Still other theories suggest that there may be a link between angular cheilitis and infection with certain types of bacteria or fungus. Some of the most common culprits are the Candida albicans fungus, which is also known as thrush.

There are also more serious health conditions that although may not cause angular cheilitis directly, may contribute or aggravate the condition, or serve as indicators of these conditions. People with anorexia nervosa and/or bulimia nervosa are particularly prone to developing sores in the corners of mouth, which may result from poor nutrition, frequent vomiting-which subjects the lips to exposure to bile or stomach acids-or both.

Although there is no universally accepted cure for angular cheilitis, there are a number of remedies that may provide relief. These include over-the-counter solutions to antifungal creams.

by: Gen Wright

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