Angular cheilitis, or what others refer to as simply cheilitis, is one of the most common skin problems that affect the lip area of the face. This skin problem primarily affects the corners of your mouth, specifically at the lip and facial skin junction. You can tell that you are suffering from this kind of skin problem when you notice cracks or ulcerations on the affected areas. It is also normal to observe inflammation, redness, and itching along with the cracks and ulcerations. In severe cases, the affected area can become painful and can cause a burning sensation. There are also cases wherein the cracks bleed each time the mouth is opened and can develop into open lesions. The lesions can form crusts as they heal although there are also risks of further infection.

You might find it difficult to eat or speak normally if you suffer from angular cheilitis due to the area of the face that it affects. In fact, activities like speaking or eating can sometimes even worsen the problem. While this kind of skin problem is quite common, many people still find it difficult to find an effective cure for cheilitis. What many people do not realize is that they rush into using certain methods of treatment that do not really address the very cause of their problem.

The most common cause of this skin problem is pathogenic infection. Fungi, bacteria, and viruses can cause you to have this problem and it has been observed that Candidiasis or yeast infection and staphylococcus are main culprits. Other causes include poorly fitting dentures that causes friction, folds, and the mouth not to close properly (leading to saliva buildup and infection). Nutritional deficiencies, like having insufficient amounts of riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and iron can also cause you to suffer from this skin condition.

Other factors that cause you to suffer from angular cheilitis include habits like constant lip biting, lip licking, bottle feeding, thumb sucking, and sucking on pacifiers. Loss of teeth, frequent sun exposure, weakened immune system due to health conditions like HIV, and prolonged exposure to wind and cold air also increases your risks of contracting this skin problem.

You can also become more susceptible to this skin problem if you suffer from other conditions like atopic dermatitis, seborrhoiec dermatitis, and contact allergies. If you believe you are suffering from angular cheilitis, see your doctor right away.

Want to learn more about a angular cheilitis natural cure? Get home remedies for angular cheilitis and more information at the Angular Cheilitis Center.