Do you notice sore lesions developing along the corners of your mouth? If you do, you are most likely suffering from angular cheilitis. This disease can affect anyone of any age but is more prevalent among adults. It is also sometimes referred to as cheilosis, angular stomatitis or perleche. When you are affected by this disease, you will notice inflammatory lesions along the corners of your mouth. It can affect either or both corners of your mouth and might appear to be pinkish or reddish. In most cases, the lesions can develop into deep cracks or splits and in severe cases, the cracks or splits can bleed. You will notice that is quite painful to move your mouth and shallow ulcers or crusts can also form.
The elderly are more prone to developing this kind of disease. Most people think that this is primarily caused by poorly fitting dentures but cheilosis can have different kinds of causes. Experts believe that this disease is caused by a fungus commonly known as thrush. Other pathogens can also cause people to suffer from angular cheilitis.
In some cases, the disease develops as a result of nutritional deficiencies, especially when the patient has insufficient levels of vitamin B12 or riboflavin. People suffering from iron deficiency anemia are also more prone to developing cheilosis. This disease can also be a part of a group of symptoms that define other conditions like the Plummer-Vinson syndrome, which is also referred to as the Paterson-Brown-Kelly syndrome.
While most prevalent among the elderly, angular cheilitis can also affect younger people, especially children and teenagers. A certain form of this disease, commonly observed among young people, is characterized by chapping of the lips. Young people often try to moisten their lips by licking them to help alleviate the problem but more often than not, this only worsens the condition. A more appropriate solution would be to moisten the lips with the help of a lip balm or petroleum jelly.
This disease can last for a couple of days, but can also affect patients for weeks and even months. Angular cheilitis can bring great discomfort to patients, especially when they are talking or eating. Many people are still looking for an effective way to treat this medical condition but there appears to be no single fool-proof way of treating it. Nevertheless, the discomfort can be lessened with the help of topical creams and antibiotic preparations. - 30540
The elderly are more prone to developing this kind of disease. Most people think that this is primarily caused by poorly fitting dentures but cheilosis can have different kinds of causes. Experts believe that this disease is caused by a fungus commonly known as thrush. Other pathogens can also cause people to suffer from angular cheilitis.
In some cases, the disease develops as a result of nutritional deficiencies, especially when the patient has insufficient levels of vitamin B12 or riboflavin. People suffering from iron deficiency anemia are also more prone to developing cheilosis. This disease can also be a part of a group of symptoms that define other conditions like the Plummer-Vinson syndrome, which is also referred to as the Paterson-Brown-Kelly syndrome.
While most prevalent among the elderly, angular cheilitis can also affect younger people, especially children and teenagers. A certain form of this disease, commonly observed among young people, is characterized by chapping of the lips. Young people often try to moisten their lips by licking them to help alleviate the problem but more often than not, this only worsens the condition. A more appropriate solution would be to moisten the lips with the help of a lip balm or petroleum jelly.
This disease can last for a couple of days, but can also affect patients for weeks and even months. Angular cheilitis can bring great discomfort to patients, especially when they are talking or eating. Many people are still looking for an effective way to treat this medical condition but there appears to be no single fool-proof way of treating it. Nevertheless, the discomfort can be lessened with the help of topical creams and antibiotic preparations. - 30540
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Not many things are more frustrating thancheilosis. Click to learn more about angular cheilosis.
