Angular cheilitis is a condition in which a cut, crack or a sore develops in the corners of the mouth. Usually, angular cheilitis occurs at both sides of the mouth.
The cuts, cracks or sores resulting out of angular cheilitis are not only unattractive to look at, but also can be painful and irritating for the patient.
Causes of angular cheilitis
The exact cause of angular cheilitis is not known. But there are various factors which stimulate angular cheilitis.
Nutritional deficiency
: Lack of some nutrients like Vitamin B2, Zinc and Iron has been found to initiate the development of angular cheilitis.
Microbes:
Once the cuts or cracks appear at the corners of the mouth, fungus or bacteria may make their home there. This increases the problem.
Old age:
In old people, angular cheilitis may occur due to loss of vertical dimension. Old people lose teeth, which leads to the mouth closing a lot closer than earlier. When they try to open their mouths wide, it puts pressure on the corners of the mouth. Over a period of time, it leads to angular cheilitis.
Winter time:
The skin becomes dry during winter. This leads to cracks and may result in angular cheilitis.
Other diseases:
Angular cheilitis may occur as a symptom of other diseases.
Treatment of angular cheilitis
The treatment for angular cheilitis depends on the cause.
If angular cheilitis has occurred due to dry skin, applying petroleum jelly or white paraffin at night will heal it in some days.
If there is microbial infection in the area, it is a very bad idea to apply any moisturizer. Applying moisturizer will help the fungus or the bacteria to grow. In that case, you need to dry the infected are by using a non-moisturizing soap. Actually, non-toxic liquid dish soap works best. Then apply petroleum jelly, as this would lock out new moisture. The area could then be covered with a bandage. It is very important to have clean hands while doing all this. You should see improvement in three days.
Over the counter medications like athlete’s foot creams also seem to work well for fungal or bacterial angular cheilitis. Just apply a little on the affected area twice a day.
Look for angular cheilitis-specific over the counter medications in the market.
Improve your diet. Include deficient nutrients.
The cuts, cracks or sores resulting out of angular cheilitis are not only unattractive to look at, but also can be painful and irritating for the patient.
Causes of angular cheilitis
The exact cause of angular cheilitis is not known. But there are various factors which stimulate angular cheilitis.
Nutritional deficiency
: Lack of some nutrients like Vitamin B2, Zinc and Iron has been found to initiate the development of angular cheilitis.
Microbes:
Once the cuts or cracks appear at the corners of the mouth, fungus or bacteria may make their home there. This increases the problem.
Old age:
In old people, angular cheilitis may occur due to loss of vertical dimension. Old people lose teeth, which leads to the mouth closing a lot closer than earlier. When they try to open their mouths wide, it puts pressure on the corners of the mouth. Over a period of time, it leads to angular cheilitis.
Winter time:
The skin becomes dry during winter. This leads to cracks and may result in angular cheilitis.
Other diseases:
Angular cheilitis may occur as a symptom of other diseases.
Treatment of angular cheilitis
The treatment for angular cheilitis depends on the cause.
If angular cheilitis has occurred due to dry skin, applying petroleum jelly or white paraffin at night will heal it in some days.
If there is microbial infection in the area, it is a very bad idea to apply any moisturizer. Applying moisturizer will help the fungus or the bacteria to grow. In that case, you need to dry the infected are by using a non-moisturizing soap. Actually, non-toxic liquid dish soap works best. Then apply petroleum jelly, as this would lock out new moisture. The area could then be covered with a bandage. It is very important to have clean hands while doing all this. You should see improvement in three days.
Over the counter medications like athlete’s foot creams also seem to work well for fungal or bacterial angular cheilitis. Just apply a little on the affected area twice a day.
Look for angular cheilitis-specific over the counter medications in the market.
Improve your diet. Include deficient nutrients.
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