Symptoms and causes of angular cheilitis

A dry environment can cause the corners of the mouth to peel or crack. If these problems are not alleviated, they may become more and more serious and develop into angular cheilitis. Although the symptoms of angular cheilitis are not so obvious in the early stages, if everyone understands the early symptoms, they can prevent and treat it in advance to prevent angular cheilitis from continuing to worsen.

1. Symptoms of angular cheilitis

Early symptoms: Initially, there are dry lips, erythema, edema, exudation and crusting at the corners of the mouth; it is usually symmetrical on both sides, but it can also occur on one side. Conscious burning sensation.

Late-stage symptoms: The local mucosal skin becomes moist, chapped, rough and desquamated, with radiating wrinkles extending outward from the corners of the mouth. If it is caused by malnutrition, anemia, or riboflavin deficiency, it may be accompanied by damage to the oral, tongue, and genital mucosa, such as redness of the smooth tongue, scrotal skin, and corresponding systemic symptoms. In malnourished children, pustules may appear at the corners of the mouth and around them, which are often related to staphylococcal infection.

Related symptoms: Dry lips Lip exudation Radiation wrinkles at the corners of the mouth Sores Mucosal damage at the corners of the mouth

2. Causes of angular cheilitis

Mechanical factors: For example, improper tooth position causes the upper lip to overlap the lower lip, causing wrinkles at the corners of the mouth, and the mucosa there is often immersed. Nutritional deficiency: Riboflavin deficiency, which may be accompanied by strawberry tongue and scrotal itching. Excessive workload, excessive physical exertion or physical weakness, malnutrition, insufficient supply of iron and protein, and deficiency of multiple vitamins such as niacin and vitamin B6 can cause this disease. Infection: The pathogens are mostly low-toxic staphylococci or Candida albicans, which are more common in children. Certain skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis, are often accompanied by angular cheilitis. This disease can be caused by drooling at the corners of the mouth; biting fingers or pens can also cause this disease.

3. Examination of angular cheilitis

1. Blood routine test

Blood has three types of cells with different functions: red blood cells (commonly known as red blood cells), white blood cells (commonly known as white blood cells), and platelets. Determine the disease by observing changes in quantity and morphological distribution. It is one of the commonly used auxiliary examination methods for doctors to diagnose diseases.

2. Fungal Histopathology

Fungal histopathology is an important diagnostic method for deep fungal infections, and the identification of fungi in tissues marks the level of etiological diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry classifies fungi according to their antigenicity.