Cheilosis and Angular Chelitis Treatment

Cheilosis and Angular Chelitis Treatment
Author: MengGee Ong

Angular cheilitis (angular chelitis is a common misspelling), the subject of this article, is a disease encountered by many people worldwide.

Normally connected with a Candida or Staphylococcal infection, a sufferer of angular cheilitis is also susceptible to oral candidiasis (thrush), indicated by a white lining on the tongue. A chronic inflammatory disease of the corners of the mouth, angular cheilitis has other names that include cheilosis or perleche or angular stomatitis.

Those who are afflicted by angular cheilitis often endure several attacks annually, each continuing for days to weeks or even months.

People with diabetes, those with chronic pooling of saliva, low immunity and have undergone radiation therapy as well as those lacking in nutrients such as Vitamin B12, folate and iron seem to be affected by this problem.

When it comes to level of risk, age appears to be a factor although no one is insusceptible to angular cheilitis.

Angular cheilitis occurs frequently in the elderly population who have to depend on dentures due to loss of teeth. Unfortunately, dentures that do not sufficiently carry the facial musculature often result in drooping of the corners of the mouth ultimately leading to angular cheilitis.

A lesser type of angular cheilitis called chapped lips attacks mainly young children and teenagers. It is observed that chapped lips are mainly triggered by low temperature (e.g. in winter).

Development of ulcers, cracking, redness of the corners of the mouth, tissue softness and drainage of pus are usual signs of an angular cheilitis bout.

While angular cheilitis is not a life critical disease, almost all sufferers of this embarrassing disease will do almost anything to alleviate the pain and get rid of the infection forever.

Just like what he / she would do for most medical conditions, the ordinary angular cheilitis sufferer will turn to their doctor for aid.

The doctor may prescribe a combination of topical antifungal with a medical steroid such as hydrocortisone for intense cases of angular cheilitis. For less intense conditions, the prescribed treatment may just be medical antifungals such econazole, clotrimazole or nystatin or even oral antifungals.

It is unfortunate that the condition could not be treated effectively with these treatments.

Many angular cheilitis sufferers incline to give up on controlling their disease; they simply bear with the pain during the attacks and wait for the symptoms to disappear.

The sores unfortunately do not vanish for many angular cheilitis patients who have to live with legions at their mouth on an almost eternal basis.

Fortunately, carrying an online search can reveal treatment options.

For those of you who have (non-metal) dentures, you can start by soaking dentures overnight in a solution consisting of 10 parts water to 1 part household bleach – this is to ensure that the dentures do not act as repositories of angular cheilitis infection.

For metal dentures, you can use sodium benzoate or chlorhexidine mouth rinse to lower the risk of discoloring.

There is also a technique that makes use of ordinary household items that is surprisingly inexpensive for an angular cheilitis sufferer. This safe, straightforward and painfree procedure controls and kills the Candida bacteria by separating this fungal bacteria and creating a habitat they cannot survive in.

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The author writes on angular chelitis and other health issues. If you would like to find out more about the symptoms and treatment of cheilosis, the author recommends that you visit the following blog on Angular Cheilitis.