Angular cheilitis
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 | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Rhagades, perlèche, cheilosis, angular cheilosis, commissural cheilitis, angular stomatitis |
| Bilateral angular cheilitis in an elderly individual with false teeth, iron deficiency anemia and dry mouth | |
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| Specialty | Dentistry, dermatology |
| Symptoms | Redness, skin breakdown and crusting at the corner of the mouth |
| Usual onset | Children, 30s to 60s |
| Duration | Days to years |
| Causes | Infection, irritation, allergies |
| Treatment | Based on cause, barrier cream |
| Frequency | 0.7% of the population |
Angular cheilitis can be caused by infection, irritation, or allergies. Infections include by 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, overclosure of the mouth, smoking, and minor trauma. Allergies may include 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.
Treatment for angular cheilitis is typically based on the underlying causes along with the use of a barrier cream. Frequently an antifungal and antibacterial cream is also tried. Angular cheilitis is a fairly common problem, with estimates that it affects 0.7% of the population. It occurs most often in people in their 30s to 60s, and is also relatively common in children. In the developing world, iron, vitamin B12, and other vitamin deficiencies are a common cause.