Angular Cheilitis is severe cracking and sores in the corners of the mouth. It is most common amongst young adults and the elderly. The reason for this is most likely the habit young people have of constantly licking their lips and the elderly’s use of dentures. There are other causes of Angular Cheilitis, which will be discussed later.
Angular Cheilitis is similar to cold sores in that it is highly contagious and is a form of herpes. At the first sign of an Angular Cheilitis outbreak, the person should never share eating utensils, food, or drink from the same glass. The person should also never kiss anyone, even on the cheek, or even bring their face up against another’s.
There are two varieties of Angular Cheilitis, bacterial and viral, which is why it is so hard to treat. A simple perception for antibiotics will not work if it’s viral. And there’s no way to diagnose if the case is viral or bacterial.
Angular Cheilitis is also caused by vitamin deficiencies, namely iron and riboflavin. In some cases, an alteration of diet will cure Angular Cheilitis, but usually the condition is a combination of several factors.
Many mistake severely chapped lips for Angular Cheilitis, and visa versa. Surprisingly, dentists are more familiar with and can more accurately diagnose a case of Angular Cheilitis than doctors. Working in and near mouths all day long, dentists see many cases of Cheilitis and can spot it more easily than doctors.
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