What is the difference between angular cheilitis and cheilitis?

Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
Updated on September 20, 2024
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Angular cheilitis usually occurs only at the two corners of the mouth, also commonly referred to as "cracked corners of the mouth." The surface may show some whitish substances and appear moist. Patients might avoid opening their mouths wide, as doing so can cause significant pain due to the worsening of the sores at the corners. This may even prevent patients from eating normally. Angular cheilitis generally refers to various inflammatory conditions of the lips, such as cracking, bleeding, and peeling, which could be caused by changes in the weather. For example, during the dry seasons of autumn and winter, patients' lips are prone to these inflammatory symptoms, showing signs like cracking, bleeding, and peeling. It is advised that patients should not peel off the skin with their hands, as this can increase the risk of infective inflammation. Thus, angular cheilitis is different from cheilitis.

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Written by Wang Peng
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Can pigmentation caused by cheilitis be cured?

If the patient has pigment deposition caused by repeated occurrences of cheilitis, this condition is usually difficult to alleviate. Even with treatment, restoring the lips to their original color is a long and gradual process. It is suggested that patients with cheilitis, who have experienced changes in lip color, may temporarily observe the condition, as it does not affect their overall health, nor does it impede eating or speech functions. If appearance is a concern, one can use lip balm or undergo lip tattooing to cover it up; however, it is crucial to avoid local irritation.

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Is metronidazole effective for cheilitis?

Patients with cheilitis will not see therapeutic effects from taking metronidazole. There are many causes of cheilitis in clinical practice. Once diagnosed with cheilitis, patients should first eliminate any irritating factors, such as frequent licking or biting of the lips, which should be corrected. In dry or cold weather, extra attention should be paid to applying lip balm or doing local moist compresses to keep the lips hydrated. If cheilitis is caused by exposure to sunlight or other similar reasons, patients should focus on sun protection to avoid prolonged sun exposure. In such cases, since there is no bacterial infection, taking metronidazole will not be effective in treatment.

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Written by Fang Xiao
Dentistry
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Is cheilitis a skin disease?

Cheilitis is not a skin disease; it is a disease of the oral mucosa and falls under the category of oral mucosal diseases. Cheilitis is a mucosal disease characterized mainly by dryness, cracking, and scaling of the lips. Its types include dry scaling cheilitis, allergic cheilitis, benign lymphoproliferative cheilitis, granulomatous cheilitis, glandular cheilitis, fungal cheilitis, and photosensitive cheilitis. The onset of cheilitis is greatly related to long-term irritation and poor lifestyle habits. Seasonal changes and dry weather also increase the incidence rate, and windy conditions can easily lead to dryness and flaking. Cheilitis is also related to sun exposure, which can cause erosion of the upper and lower lips, known as actinic cheilitis. Patients with actinic cheilitis should first focus on avoiding light, reducing outdoor activities, and protecting their lips.

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Written by Wang Peng
Dentistry
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What kind of people are prone to cheilitis?

If the patient has the following factors, they may be prone to developing cheilitis: First, working or engaging in activities outdoors for extended periods where the lips are frequently exposed to sunlight can lead to actinic cheilitis. This condition causes the lips to turn red, the mucous membranes to dry out, and cracking. Secondly, patients with bad habits such as licking their lips can also experience dry, cracked, and peeling lips if they frequently use their tongue to lick their upper or lower lips. Third, living for a long time in areas with dry or cold climates can cause repeated occurrences of cheilitis, as the lips are continuously exposed to the harsh conditions of cold or dry weather.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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What causes summer cheilitis?

Summer cheilitis is commonly caused by actinic cheilitis, as the skin on the lips is delicate. During summer, strong sunlight and high UV intensity can cause inflammation of the lips, leading to dryness, peeling, or swelling. It is advisable for patients to protect themselves by wearing masks or using sun-blocking umbrellas when going out to effectively prevent direct UV exposure and reduce lip trauma. Additionally, patients should be cautious about consuming certain foods in the summer, such as cold drinks that may contain a lot of colorants, which could also lead to allergic reactions on the lips. Therefore, it is recommended that patients pay attention to their lifestyle and diet.