Angular cheilitis is just one of the many skin problems that can affect adults and young children. While it’s never fun to have a skin issue, there are ways to treat most of them so not all is lost. It always helps to have knowledge about such skin problems since many of them have similar symptoms. The more you know ahead of time, the easier it will be for you to properly diagnose and treat whatever condition you or someone you know is suffering from.

Surprisingly, angular cheilitis is a common skin problem. This condition targets the lip area of the face and is usually found at the corners of the mouth. Common symptoms include burning, redness, inflammation, ulcerations, and cracks. It is normal for the affected area to be extremely painful and itchy. Angular cheilitis can be a nuisance due to its tendency to create open lesions that can bleed and crack further when the mouth is opened, making drinking, eating and speaking difficult or can even worsen the symptoms.

Angular cheilitis is caused by a number of reasons. People suffering from certain deficiencies can be prone to developing angular cheilitis: vitamins B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cyanocobalamin) and iron are common culprits. Existing skin conditions such as atopic and seborrhoiec dermatitis, contact allergies to toothpaste and/or cosmetics, infections (bacterial, viral, yeast and fungal) and weakened immune systems are also common causes of angular cheilitis. Additionally, seniors who wear ill-fitting dentures can suffer from angular cheilitis due to the improper fit preventing the mouth from closing completely. This results in a lot of saliva build-up at the corners, causing an infection.

The treatment for angular cheilitis is determined by the factor that caused it. In the case of seniors, they should make sure their dentures fit properly and are adjusted so that their mouth can close completely, preventing lip irritation from the friction. To treat angular cheilitis caused by deficiencies, you should consult with your doctor to find the right products or make the necessary diet changes to treat your deficiencies. For example, B2 can be found in dairy, brewer’s yeast, meats, cereals, and leafy green veggies. Vitamin B3 and B6 can be found in rice, fish, eggs, beans, and lean meats. Sunflower seeds, cauliflower, cabbage, potatoes, and bananas are rich in vitamin B6. Treating fungal or bacterial-induced angular cheilitis include using topical anti-fungal or anti-bacterial gels on the affected areas. Certain behaviors that cause angular cheilitis should be avoided as well. If you have a habit of biting, chewing, or licking your lips, crack down on that bad habit and make it a point to use a moisturizing lip balm with SPF. For contact allergies, immediately discontinue using those particular products or items that are causing your skin to react. In younger children, discourage thumb sucking or excessive pacifier use since these can also lead to angular cheilitis.

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