Angular cheilitis

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**Angular cheilitis**
*Classifications and external resources*
ICD-10	K 13.0
ICD-9	528.5

Angular cheilitis (also called perlèche, cheilosis or angular stomatitis) is a condition where deep cracks and splits form at the corners of the mouth. In severe cases, the splits can bleed when the mouth is opened and shallow ulcers or a crust may form.

[edit] Causes

Angular cheilitis is most often caused by an infection—usually fungal, but it also can be viral or bacterial in origin. Studies have linked the initial onset with nutritional deficiencies, namely vitamin B (Riboflavin B2^[1] and Cyanocobalamin B12) and iron deficiency anemia, which in turn may be evidence of poor diets or malnutrition (e.g. celiac disease). Physical causes include the over-closure of the mouth by someone without teeth, thumb-sucking, lip biting, and continual licking of the lips.

Less severe cases occur when it is quite cold (such as in the winter time), and is widely known as having chapped lips. This lesser form mostly happens to young children/teenagers.^{[citation needed]} The child may lick their lips in an attempt to provide a temporary moment of relief, only serving to worsen the condition.

[edit] Treatment

In mild cases in teenagers and young children (only having chapped lips), encouraging them to not lick their lips and applying to the lips protective paraffin-based ointment (such as Vaseline) or lip balms is normally very effective.

For Angular cheilitis, depending on the cause, antifungal and antibiotic medication (e.g. topical miconazole oral gel that has dual activity), vitamins supplements, and dentures for a person without teeth can abate the symptoms.