How is herpes angular cheilitis caused?
Disease description:
At first, I always thought it was due to the child having excessive internal heat ("fire"). Later, when many blisters appeared around the mouth, the doctor diagnosed it as angular herpetic stomatitis. I would like to know what causes this condition?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Guo Huijie
Herpetic angular cheilitis is primarily caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV), particularly type HSV-1. The virus usually spreads through direct contact, such as via saliva, kissing, sharing eating utensils, towels, or through oral and sexual contact. After entering the body, the virus remains latent within nerve cells. When the body's immunity decreases or is affected by certain triggering factors (such as mental stress, emotional fluctuations, fatigue, or exposure to cold), the virus can reactivate and travel along nerve fibers to the junction of the skin and mucous membranes, causing herpetic angular cheilitis. Patients may develop clusters of small blisters at the corners of the mouth, accompanied by symptoms such as pain and itching.
Treatment for herpetic angular cheilitis mainly includes maintaining oral hygiene, preventing secondary infection, and using antiviral medications. If symptoms persist or worsen, it is advisable to seek timely medical attention and follow the recommendations of a qualified healthcare professional.
