This disorder occurs most frequently in people with ill-fitting dentures that fail to adequately separate the upper and lower jaws. Cheilosis (also called cheilitis) is a painful inflammation and cracking of the corners of the mouth. It sometimes occurs on only one side of the mouth, but usually involves both sides. People with habits that irritate the corners of the mouth, like licking or rubbing those areas, also are more likely to develop cheilosis. Moisture gathers in skin folds at the corner of the mouth and provides a fertile environment for the formation of yeast (Candida) infections.
People with health disorders such as anemia, diabetes and immune deficiencies are particularly vulnerable.
Symptoms
Cracking, painful inflammation and sometimes weeping at the corners of the mouth.
Diagnosis
Your dentist or physician first will look to see if your dentures are fitting properly. He or she also will ask about your oral habits, such as licking the corners of your mouth. Blood tests may be done to test for anemias or immune deficiencies, and a smear or culture from the area may be tested to detect bacterial or yeast infections.
Expected Duration
Once the underlying cause is corrected, healing usually is quick.
Prevention
If you wear dentures, visit your redmond dentist to be sure they fit properly and adequately support the face. Avoid licking or rubbing the corners of your mouth.
Treatment
Treatment focuses on eliminating causes such as oral habits or poorly fitting dentures. Infections may be treated with steroids or antifungal or antibacterial medications applied directly to the affected area says a Seattle dentist. Severe infections, particularly in people with underlying medical problems, may require antifungal drugs that are taken orally.
Treatment is close follow-up and removal of thick white or white/red patches or nonhealing ulcers. Extensive lesions require complete removal of the lip mucosa and replacement with mucosa inside the mouth.
This condition can be diagnosed by a seattle dentist. Actinic cheilosis is a diffuse degenerative change of the lower lip as a result of sun damage. It occurs primarily in men and does not present until after 50 years of age, but the cause is often extreme sun exposure during the teen years and young adult life.
Life-time occupational sun exposure increases the risk. The lip becomes puffy and blotchy red and pale pink, with occasional white plaques (leukoplakia) and chronic ulcers. This is a precancer, with an estimated 6% risk of cancer development.