subject: Treating Angular Cheilitis [print this page] While most everyone has heard of the common cold, an infection that is not so well known that afflicts many people is called Angular cheilitis. Cheilitis also known as perleche, angular chelosis and in some cases stomatitis is an infection in the candid family that that appears as small lesions or cuts at the corners of your mouth.
They are often painful and resemble small paper size cuts or cracks. While not life threatening angular cheilitis is a very annoying condition and people who suffer from it are relived when the condition is finally gone.
An Iron or vitamin B deficiency may contribute to getting this condition as it lowers the bodies immune system making you more susceptible to it. But denture wearers or people with weight problems also are known to get it.
Loose fitting dentures which don't allow the mouth to close properly, or folds of fat in the case of overweight individuals allow bacteria to incubate at the mouth corners and if untreated allows the bacteria to thrive ultimately developing into this infection.
Angular cheilitis in most cases is painful when eating, opening your mouth and makes it very difficult to smile. Because it manifests at the corners of the infected parties mouth, it is almost impossible to hide. Causing people who have this condition to avoid parties, romantic situations or other social situations altogether.
If you suspect that you might have angular cheilitis than seek medical attention as quickly as possible as any delay in treating it will only worsen the infection.
Here's a good tip for denture wearers that will help minimize the risk of cheilitis. Using a solution of one part bleach to 9 parts water to soak them in will kill bacteria without and adverse harm to your health. Just be sure to rinse the dentures thoroughly
afterwards to remove any traces of the bleach.
Your doctor may prescribe a topical anti fungal cream or steroid to treat this condition, if so be sure to follow the directions precisely. Some people find that prescription medication is ineffective in getting rid of their angular cheilitis and you mayfind you are in similar circumstances.
Inthat eventanother alternative is to use a natural home remedy that has been proven effective in treating angular cheilitis. These home remedies attack the source of the infection and provide a cure in many cases overnight,
The important thing regardless of which treatment method you use is to deal with the condition without delay, as that could just further aggravate the infection.
