What You Need To Know About Angular Cheilitis
Angular cheilitis, also known as perleche, cheilosis or angular stomatitis, is an inflammatory sore at the sides of the mouth, and often takes place bilaterally. The condition manifests as deep cracks or splits, which often can bleed in severe cases when the mouth is opened. This will often cause shallow ulcers or crusts to form. Anyone can be at risk of Angular Cheilitis, but individuals with incorrectly set dentures; people struggling with diabetes mellitus and thyroid problems; and people who eat unhealthy and do not have sufficient vitamins and iron in their meal plans are all more prone to this problem. There are numerous warning signs which could help you recognize this condition, including tissue softness and tenderness around the mouth corners, ulceration, cracking and fissuring of the corners of the mouth, inflammation and drainage of pus.
Angular Cheilitis could be caused by a number of different things, and before a doctor can treat Angular Cheilitis, they have to determine what caused it. When Angular Cheilitis is caused by fungus, the treatment will usually consist of applying an anti-fungal remedy or ointment. The ointments include an anti-fungal that destroys the fungus, and steroids that treat the puffiness and redness. For Angular Chelitits caused by bacteria, a doctor usually prescribes an prescription antibiotic, but Supplements can also be prescribed to help boost the body’s defence mechanism and accelerate the healing.
In some instances, especially those involving elderly patients, this condition is usually diagnosed due to vitamin deficit, specifically vitamin B1, B12 or iron. Medical doctors will treat Angular Cheilitis brought on by vitamin deficiency by prescribing them vitamin supplements, which will have to be taken on a regular basis in order to cure the lesions.
Chapped lips may also be a cause of Angular Cheilitis. This generally occurs during wintertime or extreme cold weather conditions. Angular Cheilitis caused by chapped lips can become worse over a period of time as a result of frequent licking of the lips. The saliva of the affected individual could potentially cause the dispersing of the bacteria to accelerate in the affected area. This may also be very common amongst kids with this condition. Treat Angular Cheilitis caused by a constant licking of the lips by applying lip balm or petroleum jelly; this will avoid further splitting of the mouth edges.
If you have dentures, it is recommended that the dentures be placed or soaked in an anti-bacterial solution overnight to prevent the bacteria from dispersing on the dentures and ultimately infecting your mouth. Dentures that do not fit well may also be a contributing factor to Angular Cheilitis and needs to be amended as quickly as possible.
If you are suffering from Angular Cheilitis and would like a more natural approach to treating it, the following can also be used: Allicin, created by mashing garlic; tea tree oil; Citronella oil, obtained from the leaves of Lemon grass; Iodine; olive leaves; Orange Oil; Palmarosa oil; Patchouli; Lemon myrtle; Neem Seed oil; Coconut oil; Zinc, extracted from dietry supplements or natural foods like pumpkin seeds or chick pees; and Selenium, found in Bazil nuts.
Angular Cheilitis isn’t a mere mouth infection; it can become a condition that, when left for too long, might not be as easily taken care of. So look out for the symptoms and if you suspect Angular Cheilitis, i suggest you go to the doctor immediately.
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