How to determine the type of angular cheilitis.

Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Angular cheilitis is relatively common in everyday life, especially prevalent among children. The most common type seen is nutritional angular cheilitis, generally caused by a deficiency in vitamins due to children’s frequent picky eating, loss of appetite, and malnutrition. The symptoms usually manifest as moist whitish areas at both corners of the mouth, accompanied by ulcers and raw sores. In severe cases, it can spread to the inner mucosa and vary in length. Another type of angular cheilitis is streptococcal angular cheilitis, generally caused by infections from streptococci or staphylococci. This type of cheilitis typically results in erosion at the corners of the mouth, present with horizontal lines, and due to the bacterial infection, localized bleeding, crusting, and pus formation may occur. Local cleansing followed by the application of antibiotic ointments can be very effective for treating this condition. A less common type is fungal angular cheilitis, also known as candidal infection angular cheilitis, typically occurring in children when their immunity is compromised. The moist local environment leads to similar damage at the corners of the mouth, along with whitish erosion. It is crucial to maintain hygiene and boost the child's immune system to manage this type of angular cheilitis.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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Can iodophor be used for angular cheilitis?

Angular cheilitis, commonly known as soreness at the corners of the mouth, generally occurs more frequently in children. These situations may be related to children often being picky eaters, having an aversion to food, and having weak immune resistance, leading to a deficiency in some vitamins and trace elements within the body. Angular cheilitis is a very common clinical disease. When angular cheilitis occurs, it causes a very intense pain, which can affect the patient's ability to eat, preventing the wide opening of the mouth to chew food. Topically, some iodine can be applied to disinfect the area. However, it is recommended that patients should use some anti-inflammatory ointments locally to help the healing of the area effectively. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to diet, avoiding being picky or averse to food, and to eat a variety of vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, which can be very helpful in preventing recurrences of angular cheilitis.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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How to distinguish between "getting heated" and angular cheilitis

When both "excessive internal heat" and angular cheilitis occur simultaneously, it is necessary to distinguish between them. "Excessive internal heat" is generally a term used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and patients may experience symptoms like constipation, blistering at the corners of the mouth, sore throat, and inflamed gums, which might indicate an excessive internal fire in the liver. At this time, it is recommended that patients should drink more water, eat a light diet, rest adequately, and develop proper living habits. Additionally, if a patient presents with angular cheilitis, it could be one of the conditions caused by "excessive internal heat." This condition may include localized ulceration, bleeding, inflammation, and cracking at the corners of the mouth. Angular cheilitis could also be due to a deficiency in certain vitamins within the patient's body or due to dry weather conditions. Therefore, it is crucial for patients to seek timely medical attention at a hospital, as different conditions require different treatment approaches.

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Written by Liang Xian
Pediatrics
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Treatment methods for children's cheilitis

In cases of angular cheilitis in children, it generally appears during the acute phase, especially if the child consumes spicy foods. Secondly, a deficiency in vitamins can also cause angular cheilitis. At this point, it is appropriate to supplement with vitamin B and vitamin C, and enhance care by maintaining oral cleanliness, drinking plenty of water, and favoring mild or cool liquid diets to avoid irritating foods. Additionally, topical treatments like watermelon frost and Xinnei San can be sprayed on the affected area, and for severe pain, lidocaine can be applied topically. If the child has a fever or other underlying illness, treatment should focus on the primary disease. Furthermore, it is also important to ensure the child's diet includes plenty of vegetables and fruits, which are rich in vitamins B and C.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Can angular cheilitis be treated with acupuncture?

Acupuncture can also be used to treat angular cheilitis, as it primarily stimulates acupoints to effectively invigorate blood circulation, remove blood stasis, unblock meridians, and regulate the body. However, acupuncture mainly plays an auxiliary role. It is recommended for those suffering from angular cheilitis to promptly take anti-inflammatory drugs for effective improvement. During the medication period, acupuncture can be used to accelerate healing. If only acupuncture is used for treatment, the effect is relatively slow because acupuncture is a gradual process of conditioning. Therefore, it is best to use medication for timely treatment.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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Is sesame oil effective for angular cheilitis?

Patients who develop angular cheilitis may generally be experiencing a vitamin deficiency, or it may occur in relatively dry seasons, leading to breaks at the corners of the mouth. It could also be a result of internal heat in the body, causing angular cheilitis, also known as cracked corners of the mouth. It is generally not advisable for patients to apply aromatic oils as they do not have antibacterial properties and may even facilitate bacterial invasion. It is suggested that patients use some anti-inflammatory ointments, such as erythromycin ointment or gentamicin eye ointment, which can help reduce inflammation and heal the skin's soft tissue damage. Therefore, it is recommended that patients seek medical advice and apply medications prescribed by a doctor. Additionally, when applying ointments, do not use hands directly; instead, use medical cotton swabs and maintain personal hygiene. (Medication use should be under the guidance of a physician.)