What are the treatment options for angular cheilitis?

Angular cheilitis can be effectively managed through local wound care, nutritional supplementation, anti-infective treatment, dietary adjustment, and avoidance of harmful habits—these measures help repair damaged oral commissure mucosa and resolve localized inflammation. Persistent or recurrent angular cheilitis warrants prompt medical evaluation and treatment.

1. Local wound care: Maintain cleanliness and dryness of the skin around the mouth corners at all times. Promptly remove residual saliva and debris to prevent bacterial growth in moist environments. Minimize facial stretching and friction from external objects, and protect the affected area appropriately to support natural mucosal healing.

2. Nutritional supplementation: Targeted supplementation with vitamins and essential trace elements helps correct nutritional deficiencies. This strengthens skin and mucosal immunity, thereby accelerating resolution of inflammation and wound healing at the oral commissures.

3. Anti-infective treatment: For angular cheilitis caused by bacterial or fungal infection, follow professional medical guidance for appropriate anti-infective therapy. This suppresses local microbial proliferation and spread, alleviates symptoms such as redness, swelling, exudation, and pain, and rapidly controls inflammatory progression.

4. Dietary adjustment: Maintain a light, balanced daily diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and high-quality protein; avoid spicy, heat-inducing, or excessively hot foods. Reducing irritation to the affected area supports overall physical health and facilitates recovery.

5. Avoidance of harmful habits: Consciously discontinue habits such as lip-licking, peeling dry skin, or frequent lip-biting, which cause secondary trauma. Preventing repeated injury and inflammation at the oral commissures addresses the root cause of recurrent angular cheilitis.

In daily life, prioritize moisturization and protection of the perioral skin. During seasonal transitions or dry weather, apply emollients regularly. Maintain consistent sleep patterns and engage in moderate physical activity to reinforce the skin barrier function and continuously reduce the risk of angular cheilitis recurrence.