ANGULAR CHEILITIS DISEASE
NOTE!!
Angular cheilitis (AC), is inflammation of one or both corners of the mouth.
Often the corners are red with skin breakdown and crusting. It can also be itchy or painful. The condition can last for days to years.
Angular cheilitis is a type of cheilitis (inflammation of the lips).
Angular cheilitis can be caused by infection, irritation, or allergies. Infections include by the fungi such as Candida albicans and bacteria such as Staph. aureus.
Irritants include poorly fitting dentures, licking the lips or drooling, mouth breathing resulting in a dry mouth, sun exposure, over closure of the mouth, smoking, and minor trauma. Allergies may include to substances like toothpaste, makeup, and food. Often a number of factors are involved.
Other factors may include poor nutrition or poor immune function.
Diagnosis may be helped by testing for infections and patch testing for allergies
Angular cheilitis (perlèche) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the corners of the mouth. Usually associated with a fungal (Candidal) or bacterial (Staphylococcal) infection, those affected may also have thrush (oral candidiasis). The areas are generally slightly painful.
The condition can last from days to months, depending upon whether or not the affected person seeks treatment.
Risk Factor
Angular cheilitis may affect people of all ages. Chronic pooling of saliva encourages fungal and bacterial growth, and patients who are immunocompromised, have undergone head and neck radiation, or have diabetes mellitus are also prone to this condition.
Patients who are predisposed to this condition also may have problems with:
Iron deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Folate deficiency
Iron deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Folate deficiency
Drooping of the corners of the mouth caused by dentures that do not adequately support the facial musculature
Signs and Symptoms
Angular cheilitis can be found in the corners of the mouth.
Angular cheilitis can be found in the corners of the mouth.
A patient with angular cheilitis may notice:
Cracking and fissuring of the corners of the mouth, with redness
Ulceration
Drainage of pus
Tissue softness and tenderness
Cracking and fissuring of the corners of the mouth, with redness
Ulceration
Drainage of pus
Tissue softness and tenderness
Self-Care Guidelines
Dentures may act as reservoirs of infection. To prevent angular cheilitis, try soaking dentures overnight in a solution made up of 10 parts water to 1 part household bleach.
For metal dentures that may become discolored by bleach, the use of a sodium benzoate or chlorhexidine mouth rinse is a good option.
When to Seek Medical Care
If persistent lip irritation, painful cracking, or fissuring at the corners of the mouth is present, seek evaluation from your primary care provider or dermatologist.
If persistent lip irritation, painful cracking, or fissuring at the corners of the mouth is present, seek evaluation from your primary care provider or dermatologist.
Treatments
Treatment of angular cheilitis is usually undertaken with topical antifungals such as nystatin, clotrimazole, or econazole. Combinations of a topical antifungal and a topical steroid – such as Mycostatin® and triamcinolone or iodoquinol and hydrocortisone – may also be prescribed. In persistent cases, oral antifungals may be used to treat the condition.
Source:#MEDICALTEAM
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