Angular Cheilitis Can Affect Anyone

Angular Cheilitis is an inflammatory condition that commonly affects the corners of the mouth. It causes painful inflammatory lesions that may break open and form crust and ulcers. This disease is caused by a fungal or bacterial infection that is commonly due to pooling in the corners of the mouth. This condition can continue for only days if you seek medical attention and follow your treatment plan.

However, if you fail to seek medical advice, this condition may continue for months at a time. Most doctors and dermatologists will prescribe a topical anti fungal or a topical steroid. However, in severe cases, oral anti fungals are also used to treat this disease. All ages are affected by this disease, but certain people may be at increased risk.

If you have recently had neck or head radiation or suffer from diabetes mellitus, you may be at an increased risk for Cheilitis. This disease is commonly the result of an excessive pooling near the corners of the mouth where fungus and bacteria can grow. In an effort to prevent this condition, steps can be taken with your dentures to remove all excess bacteria before placing them in your mouth.

This disease is found in the corners of your mouth so it may be hard to distinguish this condition from a common cold sore. The symptoms are very similar with the two conditions. In both situations you will commonly experience cracking and redness, ulceration, and drainage of pus from the lesions. You may also experience tenderness of your tissue and both conditions are very painful.

The difference between the two is that this disease is a chronic condition and if your symptoms persist, it is encouraged that you seek medical attention from your doctor or dermatologist because they can distinguish between the two conditions. They will examine your condition and place you on a treatment plan accordingly.

Angular Cheilitis is an infection so it can affect all ages. However, some people are at a higher risk than others. If you have recently had radiation treatment on your head and neck, your chances of being affected by this condition are increased. Many times, patients with Angular Cheilitis have a Vitamin B or Iron deficiency or suffer from diabetes mellitus.

Also, if you have dentures, you are at an extreme risk because there are so many places for the harmful bacteria to grow. In order to prevent this condition, it is recommended that you soak your dentures in a ten to one part solution of water to household bleach. This solution will kill the harmful bacteria and will not harm you or your dentures.

Angular Cheilitis can be treated with over the counter treatments that are commonly topical. Treatment plans with topical anti fungals and topical steroids are almost identical. Doctors and dermatologists recommend that you apply the cream to the infected area two to four times a day and continue until the medication runs out or your symptoms disappear.

If you have a persistent condition, your doctor may prescribe an oral anti fungal to treat your condition. Oral anti fungals are commonly in a pill form that is intended to dissolve in your mouth rather than swallowed. These anti fungals are recommended to be taken in twos for up to four or five times a day.

This treatment can continue for up to fourteen days and it is recommended that you continue treatment for at least forty eight hours after your symptoms disappear. These treatment options have been very successful in their efforts to relieve and cure symptoms or Angular Cheilitis when used correctly.

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