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Guest Post: Choosing the Best Treatment for Angular Cheilitis

Angular cheilitis is one of the common diseases that affect both men and women of all ages. It refers to the “chapping” or drying of the skin in the mouth’s corners. It is also called cheilosis or perleche. In worse cases, this condition may lead to cracking and splitting of the lips which is extremely painful.

You may get this infection due to many reasons since there are several factors that trigger the development of angular cheilitis. Therefore, choosing the best treatment for this condition will always depend on the cause. The leading cause of this disease is the lack of Vitamin B. If you have angular cheilitis and the cause is Vitamin B deficiency, the recommended treatment for you would be replacement of Vitamin B and it can be administered by using an injection.

Another possible cause of angular cheilitis is bacterial infection and it can be treated by applying topical antibacterial creams and ointments. If the condition is triggered by fungal infections, anti-fungal creams will provide relief to the sufferer. In general, the usual treatment for angular cheilitis is topical medicines.

Angular cheilitis usually indicates vitamin or mineral deficiencies that involve vitamin B, iron and zinc. If you are malnourished or you are suffering from anorexia or bulimia, you are more prone to acquire this condition. If you have bulimia, your cheilitis may get worse if you vomit frequently. If this is your situation, the best treatment for you would be vitamin or mineral replacement depending on the specific nutrient your body needs. Change in diet could also be another medical intervention to treat angular cheilitis.

The signs and symptoms of angular cheilitis include:

  • serious chapped lips
  • sore
  • tiny skin splits
  • red lesions at the mouth corners
  • oral fungal infections
  • superficial ulcerated sores
  • crusts caused by dried superficial ulcers
  • prolonged closure of the mouth

 

Dentures could also be the carriers of bacteria that can cause this infection. Older persons are more prone to suffer from severe cases compared to younger persons. Cheilitis is usually associated to denture stomatitis and the main cause of it is fungal infection. Improved oral hygiene practices and application of anti-fungal medicines like nystatin and clotrimazole are the appropriate treatments for this situation. Your doctor will perform tests to find out the microorganism that caused the infection.

Mild cases of angular cheilitis are common during the winter season. These are usually aggravated by persistent wetting of lips that worsens the chapping of the skin. Topical creams may alleviate the condition and will be highly beneficial for those who have recurring cheilitis. Other complementary products like aloe vera and tea tree oil will benefit the patient especially if the infection is caused by either fungi or bacteria.

The best treatment for angular cheilitis will always depend on the factors that triggered the development of the disease. Normally, the symptoms are treated by using certain medicines that you can buy even without a prescription from your doctor. Preventative hydration with the use of any topical barrier cream throughout the sensitive periods will be recommended as well.

Clay Miller
the authorClay Miller
I am the creator/writer of Ways2GoGreen.com and Ways2GoGreenBlog.com. I'm an advocate for oceans, beaches, state parks. I enjoy all things outdoors (e.g. running, golf, gardening, hiking, etc.) I am a graduate of the University of Kentucky (Go Wildcats!!). I'm also a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I was born and raised in the beautiful state of Kentucky.

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