Treatment of Angular Cheilitis
Disease description:
I might have developed a mouth ulcer these past couple of days. There is a small red area at the corner of my mouth that feels somewhat lumpy, similar to an ulcer. I looked it up online and suspect it might be angular cheilitis. I would like to ask how angular cheilitis should be treated?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Chao
Angular cheilitis, also known as angular stomatitis or labial sulcus inflammation, mainly presents with redness, swelling, cracking, pain at the corners of the mouth, and sometimes exudation.
Treatment methods for angular cheilitis:
1. Avoidance of irritants: Quit smoking, limit alcohol intake, and avoid using oral care products containing alcohol, as these may exacerbate angular cheilitis.
2. Nutritional supplementation: Angular cheilitis caused by malnutrition, especially due to deficiency of B vitamins, should involve increased intake of foods rich in B vitamins, such as whole grains, legumes, nuts, leafy green vegetables, and animal liver, or vitamin B complex supplements under a doctor's guidance.
3. Local treatment: Use moisturizers such as petroleum jelly or lip balms containing natural oils to keep the corners of the mouth hydrated; for fungal infections such as those caused by Candida, antifungal creams may be used; and if bacterial infection is present, antibiotics may be applied. Additionally, topical corticosteroids may be used short-term in cases of severe inflammation to reduce symptoms using low-potency corticosteroid creams.
During treatment, patients should also maintain dryness and cleanliness in the corners of the mouth, avoid licking the affected areas with the tongue to prevent worsening of the condition, and maintain a bland, easily digested diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruits to ensure adequate vitamin intake.
