Angular cheilitisis a common inflammatory condition that affects the skin around the mouth.
It involves painful, cracked sores on one or both corners where the upper and lower lips meet.
The inflamed skin is sometimes confused forcold sores, but angular cheilitis is not contagious like cold sores.
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The wounds last a few days but can reoccur.
Various types of infections can cause angular cheilitis, which can be painful but not serious.
These underlying causes are treated differently.
Talk to your healthcare provider about the best course of action for your condition.
Also Known As
What Is Angular Cheilitis?
Angular cheilitis causes the corners of the mouth to become inflamed.
This can happen because these areas allow for the collection of saliva.
The saliva will then dry out and cause the skin to crack.
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Reproduced with permission from DermNet New Zealand and Dr. Richard Ashtonwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Frequently, both together can worsen angular cheilitis.
Angular Cheilitis vs.
But oral herpes leads to a cold sore (a fluid-filled blister) or a cluster of blisters.
HSV typically involves the vermillion border of the upper or lower lip (not usually the corner).
This is the margin of the lip between the colored area and the rest of the facial skin.
Cold sores are also much more common than angular cheilitis.
Is Angular Cheilitis a STI?
Angular cheilitis is not contagious, nor is it transmitted by direct contact.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and affect one or both corners of the mouth.
What Triggers Angular Cheilitis?
Fungal and bacterial infectionsare the most common cause of angular cheilitis.Bacterial orCandidainfections are common recurring causes.
Bacterial infections, including staphylococcal and beta-hemolytic streptococcal, are common causes of angular cheilitis in children.
More research is needed, but improving these deficiencies with diet and supplements may improve symptoms.
If your healthcare provider cant find the cause of your angular cheilitis, it is called idiopathic angular cheilitis.
Risk Factors
Some people have a higher risk of angular cheilitis.
For example,Candidafungi can feed off theblood sugar(glucose) the body uses for energy.
People with diabetes have too much glucose in their blood.
Extra glucose can increase the risk of fungal infection.
confirm you are eating well, exercising, not smoking, and taking diabetes medicines correctly.
However, if symptoms persist or worsen, you should consult a healthcare provider .
How Do You Get Rid of Angular Cheilitis?
Angular cheilitis is a highly treatable condition.
Depending on the cause, angular cheilitis usually heals within two weeks or so with proper care.
However, treatment depends on the underlying cause and whether an infection is present.
Common angular cheilitis medications that are antibiotics include Bactroban (mupirocin) and Fucidin (fusidic acid).
There are other steps you’re free to take as well.
Some healthcare providers recommend injectable collagen fillers if droopy lips are to blame for angular cheilitis.
It is sometimes confused with cold sores, but unlike cold sores, angular cheilitis isnt contagious.
Angular cheilitis is usually treatable with antifungal creams, antibiotics, and diet changes.
The outlook for most people with angular cheilitis is usually good.
The condition typically goes away within two weeks of starting treatment.
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