What kind of people are prone to cheilitis?

Written by Wang Peng
Dentistry
Updated on March 06, 2025
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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 Fang Xiao
Dentistry
1min 15sec home-news-image

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 Fang Xiao
Dentistry
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Early symptoms of allergic cheilitis

Common symptoms of allergic cheilitis include peeling of the lips, itching, redness and swelling of the lips, and skin flushing. In severe cases, blisters may form, and the lips can become eroded and exudative. Repeated scratching due to itchiness or repetitive mechanical friction can lead to infection. The infection is generally a secondary bacterial infection, causing pus formation in the affected skin areas. Allergic cheilitis is often caused by contact with irritating substances, such as irritant foods, lipstick, and toothpaste. Some individuals develop allergic cheilitis after exposure to sunlight, and the condition can worsen. Therefore, patients with allergic dermatitis must receive anti-allergy treatment.

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Written by Wang Peng
Dentistry
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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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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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Can I eat corn with cheilitis?

Certainly, corn can be eaten. Corn contains many trace elements, vitamins, and dietary fiber. When experiencing cheilitis, patients can appropriately eat some corn, which can also help facilitate bowel movements. Additionally, it is important for patients to pay attention to their diet by consuming easily digestible, nutritious foods. Opt for low-fat, low-salt, high-vitamin protein and high-fiber foods. Consuming more fungi, tuberous plants, or soy products to ensure adequate protein intake can be beneficial. Eating more fresh vegetables and fruits can also assist in the repair of cheilitis. Moreover, patients should avoid consuming raw, greasy, spicy, or irritating foods. When suffering from cheilitis, it is crucial to focus on reducing inflammation in the lips, and applying erythromycin ointment can be effective for anti-inflammatory treatment. (Note: The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Wang Peng
Dentistry
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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.