What is Angular Cheilitis?

Symptoms

Angular cheilitis is a condition that causes redness, swelling or inflammation in one or both corners of the mouth. These patches are usually found at the spots where the lips meet to form an angle at the corners of the mouth. Fungal infections are the most important trigger for this condition. However, in some rare cases, it can also be caused due to bacterial infections.

The following are common symptoms of this condition, and you may notice them on one or both sides of your mouth:

• Bleeding in severe cases

• Painful blisters

• Itchy, cracked and painful patches

• Swollen skin

• Scaly patches

• Crusting

• Burning sensation on the lips

• Feeling of bad taste

• Difficulty eating/swallowing food

• Maceration, which makes the skin look soggy and pale-coloured

Causes

The common triggers of angular cheilitis are:

• Saliva, which builds near the lips, gets dried up, causing the skin to crack.

• Licking your lips more often than necessary, as the moisture accumulation in the lips can be a breeding ground for fungus.

• Fungal infections, especially from the Candida type of yeast

• Nutrient deficiency, especially being deficient in riboflavin (B2)

Cases where the triggers are not identified are known as idiopathic angular cheilitis.

Diagnosis

Doctors typically begin by performing a physical examination of the blisters and swelling around the lips to diagnose angular cheilitis. They may ask about your oral habits and lifestyle factors that could be contributing to the condition. A swab from the affected area might also be taken to identify the underlying cause and rule out other conditions, such as herpes labialis or lichen planus.

Treatment

Angular cheilitis treatment procedures depend on the intensity of the sores on your lips. If the condition is due to dry, inflamed skin, doctors recommend petrolatum ointments in these cases. This prevents moisture buildup in the corners of your mouth, thereby keeping cheilitis at bay.

Your doctor may recommend hydrocortisone 1% ointment if your condition is due to a dermatological problem like eczema. In case of infections, they are usually treated with the help of antifungal medications.

Self-Care Tips

Some of the best home-care tips you can follow for keeping symptoms of angular cheilitis at bay are:

• Apply petroleum jelly or extra virgin coconut oil frequently on the lips.

• Keeping yourself well-hydrated.

• Eating foods rich in Vitamin B2, protein and iron.

How to Prevent Angular Cheilitis?

Sometimes, you may not even know the triggers for this condition. Hence, preventing it becomes difficult. However, in cases where triggers are established, you can follow these preventive tips to stay away from all signs of cheilitis:

• Avoid licking your lips frequently

• Eat nutrient-rich foods and drink ample water throughout the day

• Moisturise your lips often to prevent saliva buildup

• Quit smoking and using tobacco-based products

• Use the right quality of cosmetic products

• Stay away from allergens that trigger skin conditions (spicy foods, chemical products in makeup, toothpaste, etc.)

Why Do I Keep Getting Angular Cheilitis?

If you fall under one of the following conditions, you may experience recurrent cheilitis on one or both corners of your mouth frequently:

• Wear braces or ill-fitting dentures

• Lick your lips frequently

• Have crooked teeth

• You have sagging skin around the mouth

• Suck thumbs frequently

• Smoke frequently

• Are nutrient deficient

• Have certain existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, anaemia, cancer, Down syndrome and immune disorders

• Have atopic dermatitis or eczema

• Have fungal infections, like oral thrush

• Wear a face mask regularly

• Have skin allergies

• Have a weak immune system

Angular Cheilitis and Diabetes

One of the main questions people have in their minds is whether there is a relationship between diabetes and cheilitis. According to experts, people with diabetes are more likely to be diagnosed with cheilitis than others. Usually, candida yeast feeds on the sugar in one’s body. Diabetics are prone to this yeast infection as they have a lot of glucose in their bodies. Diabetics also have a weak immune system, due to which they are easily infected by this condition.