Do you also have chapped lips, that is, the corners of your mouth, that are cracked, red, and sometimes painful? When you open your mouth and smile, does it feel like there are lines there? This is actually a slightly annoying condition that many people experience. But it is nothing to be afraid of. We are talking about this condition today. In medicine, we call this Angular Cheilitis .
What is Angular Cheilitis?
Simply put, Angular Cheilitis is an inflammation of the skin at one or both corners of your mouth. It is a skin condition that causes the skin at the corners of your mouth to become red, swollen, cracked, and painful. Some people confuse this condition with cold sores.
But remember, these two are completely different. Cold sores are caused by a virus called Herpes. It is a contagious disease. But Angular Cheilitis is not a contagious disease. That means it is not transmitted from one person to another.
Who is most likely to develop this condition?
This condition can actually develop in anyone of any age, but certain groups are more likely to develop it.
- Very young children and babies: Young babies may have moist corners of their mouths due to things like drooling, sucking on a pacifier, and sucking their thumbs. This moisture can quickly dry out the skin, creating a favorable environment for fungus and bacteria to grow.
- Elderly people: As we age, the skin around the mouth can sag. People who wear dentures are more likely to have saliva pooling in the corners of their mouths if they don't fit properly. This can also cause this condition.
Why do the corners of the mouth split like this? What are the main causes?
The main reason for this is that saliva accumulates in the corners of the mouth, and those areas are always wet. Think about how something that is constantly in water becomes soft. That's what happens. The enzymes in the saliva damage the skin, and that area starts to dry out and crack.
When these cracks form, bacteria or fungi can enter the cracks, causing inflammation and infection.
Let's look at some other reasons that affect this in the table below.
| Reason | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Skin diseases such as eczema | If you have skin conditions like atopic dermatitis or eczema, the corners of your mouth may become dry and cracked. |
| Misaligned teeth | If dentures do not fit properly, the shape of the mouth can change and saliva can accumulate. |
| Fungal infections in the mouth | A fungal infection that occurs inside the mouth, such as thrush, can also spread to the corners of the mouth. |
| Wearing a face mask frequently | When wearing a mask, moisture from your breath can stay inside the mask, making the skin around your mouth damp. |
| Other reasons | Misaligned teeth, skin allergies, and drooling while sleeping can also affect this. |
What are the risk factors that affect this?
Some people are at higher risk of developing this condition, possibly because of other medical conditions they have or certain lifestyle habits.
- Long-term illnesses: This condition can occur in people with diseases such as diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Nutritional deficiencies: Low levels of vitamin B, iron, or protein in the body are also a major cause.
- Weakened immune system: This condition can occur in people with diseases that weaken the immune system, such as HIV, because they are more susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections.
- Other factors: Down syndrome, sudden weight loss, skin wrinkling due to aging, smoking, and stress also increase the risk.
What are your symptoms?
Angular Cheilitis can cause a variety of symptoms in the corners of the mouth. You may have one or more of these.
- Redness
- Swelling
- Skin cracking
- Bleeding
- Blisters
- Crusting
- Maceration (whitening and softening of the skin due to saliva)
- Feeling itchy or painful
How does a doctor diagnose this accurately?
If you have these symptoms, the best thing to do is see your family doctor (GP). You may also be referred to a dermatologist.
The doctor will do the following to accurately diagnose this disease:
1. They will ask you questions: about your symptoms, when they started, whether you have other illnesses, and what medications you are taking.
2. A physical examination will be performed: The inside of your mouth will be carefully examined.
3. Tests if necessary: Sometimes, a small sample (swab) from the corner of the mouth may be taken and sent to a lab to determine if the infection is caused by bacteria, fungus, or a virus like herpes. You may also be asked to take a blood test if a nutritional deficiency is suspected.
Are all mouth sores Angular Cheilitis?
No. This is very important. Not all sores on the mouth or lips are Angular Cheilitis. Sometimes, they can be a symptom of a more serious condition. That's why it's important to see a doctor and get a proper diagnosis.
Some other diseases that show similar symptoms to this condition are:
- Herpes virus infection (Cold sores)
- Oral cancer
- White spots that can become cancerous (Leukoplakia)
- Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease
Therefore, if you have a sore at the corners of your mouth that hasn't healed in more than two weeks, definitely see a doctor.
What are the treatments for this?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of your condition. When the cause is found and treated, the condition usually resolves itself.
| Treatment method | Description |
|---|---|
| Ointments/Creams | If the infection is caused by a fungus, an antifungal cream will be given. If it is a bacterial infection, an antibiotic cream will be given. A topical steroid may also be given to reduce swelling and pain. |
| Dental treatment | If the cause is your teeth, you need to adjust them properly. If it's a problem like your teeth not fitting together, you need to seek the advice of a dentist. |
| Changes in diet | If this is caused by a nutritional deficiency, you should eat foods rich in iron, vitamin B, and protein (e.g., vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, milk). If necessary, your doctor may prescribe vitamin pills. |
| Keeping lips moist | On the advice of your doctor, you can use something like lip balm or petroleum jelly to prevent dry lips. |
What happens after treatment?
Usually, this condition heals completely within about two weeks after starting proper treatment. However, if left untreated, the wounds can deepen, scar, and the skin in the area can become thinner.
Some people may experience a relapse after treatment. This can happen if the underlying cause (e.g. diabetes, nutritional deficiency) is not properly treated. Therefore, it is very important to treat the original cause.
How can I prevent this from happening again?
- Stop the habit of licking your lips: Many people wet their lips with their tongue when they are dry. This only makes them dry out even more. So avoid this habit.
- Keep your lips moisturized: Always apply a good lip balm or something like petroleum jelly (Vaseline).
- Eat well: Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and iron. Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid smoking.
- Do not use expired cosmetics.
- Keep your medical conditions like diabetes under control.
Take-Home Message
- Angular cheilitis is a common, but not serious, condition.
- The main reason is that saliva accumulates in the corners of the mouth, allowing fungus or bacteria to grow in those areas.
- This is not a contagious disease.
- This can be caused by various reasons, such as nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, and misaligned teeth.
- If the sores haven't healed in more than two weeks, definitely see a doctor, as it could be a symptom of another illness.
- This condition can be completely cured with proper treatment.
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