During the winter, you might assume that your cracked, bleeding lips are just par for the course. But they could actually be the sign of a fungal or bacterial infection, caused by anything from a vitamin deficiency to poorly fitting dentures. It’s called “angular cheilitis” says Dr. Jimmy C Wu, DDS, who runs Sutra Dental Spa in La Mesa, California. A San Diego native with a bachelor’s degree in biology, he boasts an extensive background in cosmetics, orthodontics, TMJ, computerized dentistry, and CEREC ceramic fillings. He talks here about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
What’s in a name? Angular cheilitis, for most people, is commonly known as severely chapped lips. But the reality is actually more than that.
It is an inflammatory lesion and is usually a sore that is on the corners of the mouth, more often than not on both sides. The reason it concerns dentists is because most of the time it is on elderly patients, people who have dentures, or who have lost teeth, or who have teeth have worn down.
Because of these circumstances, the corners of the mouth tend to dry out and become inflamed. As a result, their mouthes can actually break out in sores or even open sores. Those open sores can get infected by a fungus-like candida, or some other bacteria that can build up in those sores.
Easy Treatment
You definitely want to try and treat angular cheilitis when it does occur, especially when there are open sores. This is something you can almost always treat at home. Once you notice something like that happening, you would use rubbing alcohol to clean the area first, and then apply over-the-counter Neosporin to place onto the actual site. If that doesn’t help, you can use a steroid cream.
If you do nothing, the sores can open and crack, and they can collect bacteria or become infected by certain fungi. Angular cheilitis can be diagnosed either by your general physician or your dentist, although it usually is fairly obvious what it is judging by the symptoms. It often appears in the winter months, can be red, itchy and scaly, and is fairly unpleasant.
Angular cheilitis is rarely seen in children. Usually if it does happen with younger adults, it is probably because of some kind of vitamin deficiency or an iron deficiency.
Ill-Fitting Dentures
Often, angular cheilitis is caused by poorly-fitting dentures, which means your dentist can make a quick diagnosis by looking at how your dentures fit. If your dentist sees no problem, it might therefore be worth seeing your doctor.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
