Angular
Cheilitis can be a nasty, uncomfortable condition, particularly
if you are young, or in-firmed The condition causes
inflammation at the corners of the mouth – usually on both sides,
although in some cases just in one corner – and this can, in turn,
lead to deep cracks or fissures which will become very
painful if left untreated. In severe cases bleeding can
occur and shallow ulcers may form along with a nasty,
unsightly crust.Who’s At Risk?
The
condition itself is usually caused by a fungal infection, but
other contributing factors include bacterial infection and recent
studies have even shown that it can also sometimes be attributed to
nutritional deficiencies brought about by poor diet or malnutrition.
Obviously, with such a wide range of contributing factors, the
condition can prove difficult to get rid of
and, if not treated effectively, it can actually lead
to further complications.
Surprisingly,
people who suffer from bulimia or other weight related disorders,
particularly people who tend to vomit a lot are also particularly at
risk of developing Angular Cheilitis. Elderly people tend
to develop it as they lose their teeth and the mouth overhangs
causing folds to appear at the corners. These folds of skin become
susceptible to fungal infections of this kind.
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| Careful, using dentures can be a common cause! |
Even
wearing dentures can cause the condition to develop. In fact, recent
studies have indicated that wearing false teeth is a
particularly common reason for people developing the condition. It is
believed that Angular Cheilitis develops in these cases because the
upper jaw muscles are not supported correctly by dentures and
this leads, in turn, to a moisture accumulating at the corners
of the mouth. As I discussed earlier, bacteria and fungal infections
love these warm, dark, moist places so its not long before they take
up home!
Environmental
factors also play a part in the development of the condition with
mild cases being caused by things such as cold weather. Many of us
have, at some time or other, probably suffered from chapped lips. If
you are one of those unlucky people, then you might be shocked to
discover that you have actually been suffering from Cheilitis, not
just from a simple case of chapped skin. That explains why, when you
lick your lips to keep them moist, it actually makes them feel worse.
The reason is that you are actually spreading the fungal infection
that cases the problem. Bet you didn’t know that, as they
say!
How Do You Treat It?
As
I mentioned above, treatment really depends on what caused the
condition in the first place. Simple cases can be cured by applying
anti-fungal creams or a gentle topical antibiotic but, if you prefer
to use natural remedies, then there are several very effective ones
that give great results. Some of these even bring relief overnight –
if that sounds interesting then click on the link below to:
If
you are anemic then you should take iron supplements. Not only will
this help your overall condition but it will also help to
prevent AC, because yet another contributory factor in this
condition is iron deficiency. See, I said it would be difficult to
pin down the exact reason!
When
you are outdoors, remember to stay warm and dry, and avoid exposure
to the elements. Not only is this sensible advice to keep you free
from viral infections and colds, but it
also prevents Angular Cheilitis. If you spend a lot of time
outdoors consider using a barrier cream such as petroleum jelly
applied around your lips. This will prevent cracking and keep them
moist without allowing them to become wet and infected. Also, don’t
allow saliva to dry around the corners of your mouth because
this can lead to infection.
Its Not All Bad News
Although
the condition can be irritating and look horrible, its not actually
all that serious; probably not any more so than a fungal infection in
your toenails or jock itch. There are also a number of very effective
cures but, one slight drawback is that some of them can be expensive
and a lot of the commercial ones use fairly yeuchy chemicals and
creams which taste awful and can lead, in some cases, to
further complications.
Of
course, like most things, it makes sense to consult your
doctor before doing anything . Chances are, though, they will simply
recommend an anti-fungal or anti-bacterial cream, but, as we
have said, this doesn’t suit everybody. Apart
from anything else, these creams can take weeks to
work and, in some cases may have no effect whatsoever. That’s why
its a great idea, to try and find out more about curing the
condition naturally, using drug-free products that work quickly and
efficiently. If you would like to know more about how to do
this, then just click the link below: