Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionSymptomsCausesRisk FactorsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Risk Factors
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Treatment
Angular cheilitisis a common inflammatory condition that affects the skin around the mouth. It involves painful, cracked sores on one or both corners where the upper and lower lips meet.
The inflamed skin is sometimes confused forcold sores, but angular cheilitis is not contagious like cold sores. The wounds last a few days but can reoccur.
Various types of infections can cause angular cheilitis, which can be painful but not serious. These underlying causes are treated differently. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best course of action for your condition.
Also Known AsAngular stomatitisCheilosisPerlèche
Also Known As
Angular stomatitisCheilosisPerlèche
What Is Angular Cheilitis?
Angular cheilitis causes the corners of the mouth to become inflamed. This can happen because these areas allow for the collection of saliva. The saliva will then dry out and cause the skin to crack.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand and © Dr. Richard Ashtonwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Efforts to moisturize the area can sometimes cause further irritation, and extra moisture can lead to a secondary infection.Bacteria likeStaphylococcus, as well asCandidayeast, can contribute to angular cheilitis. Frequently, both together can worsen angular cheilitis. Secondary infection can lead to skin discoloration (a change in the natural skin tone), scaling, pain, and fissures.
The severity of angular cheilitis is sometimes classified into subtypes:
Chronic Angular Cheilitis
Angular Cheilitis vs. Herpes Simplex
HSV typically involves the vermillion border of the upper or lower lip (not usually the corner). This is the margin of the lip between the colored area and the rest of the facial skin.
Angular cheilitis only affects the skin at the corners of the mouth, and it does not result in fluid-filled blisters. Cold sores are also much more common than angular cheilitis.
Is Angular Cheilitis a STI?
Angular Cheilitis Symptoms
The symptoms of angular cheilitis affect the oral commissures, which is the place where the upper and lower lips meet on each side of your mouth. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and affect one or both corners of the mouth.
The following symptoms can affect the corners of the mouth:
Some people might also experience a bad taste in the mouth or burning of the lips and mouth.
What Triggers Angular Cheilitis?
Fungal and bacterial infectionsare the most common cause of angular cheilitis.Bacterial orCandidainfections are common recurring causes.
Bacterial infections, including staphylococcal and beta-hemolytic streptococcal, are common causes of angular cheilitis in children.
This condition is often seen in biological males, older people, and those living with certain health conditions, including:
Additional causes of angular cheilitis:
Role of Vitamins and Minerals
More research is needed, but improving these deficiencies with diet and supplements may improve symptoms.
If your healthcare provider can’t find the cause of your angular cheilitis, it is called idiopathic angular cheilitis.
Some people have a higher risk of angular cheilitis. This includes people who:
Risk of Angular Cheilitis in Diabetes
It is not uncommon for people with diabetes to get fungal infections that lead to angular cheilitis. For example,Candidafungi can feed off theblood sugar(glucose) the body uses for energy.
People with diabetes have too much glucose in their blood. Extra glucose can increase the risk of fungal infection. People with diabetes also have weakened immune systems, making it harder for them to fight off different types of infections that lead to angular cheilitis.
Keeping your blood sugar managed is the best way to prevent bacterial and fungal infections that lead to angular cheilitis. Make sure you are eating well, exercising, not smoking, and taking diabetes medicines correctly.
It is possible to treat angular cheilitis at home using home remedies like petroleum jelly. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, you should consult a healthcare provider . You should also see your healthcare provider if you have any of the conditions that increase your risk of angular cheilitis, including autoimmune diseases and diabetes.
To find out whether you have angular cheilitis, your healthcare provider will examine your mouth for cracks, blisters, and swelling. They will also ask you about any underlying conditions you have or habits that might affect your lips and the corners of your mouth.
There are other conditions, like herpes labialis (lip cold sores) and erosivelichen planus(an immune-mediated itchy skin rash), that can cause symptoms similar to angular cheilitis.
How Do You Get Rid of Angular Cheilitis?
Angular cheilitis is a highly treatable condition. Depending on the cause, angular cheilitis usually heals within two weeks or so with proper care.
However, treatment depends on the underlying cause and whether an infection is present.
Fungal Infections
Some of the most common antifungal creams used to treat angular cheilitis are:
Bacterial Infections
Preventing Angular Cheilitis
Staying healthy and avoiding exposure to infections will, of course, help you to prevent angular cheilitis. There are other steps you can take as well.
Some healthcare providers recommend injectable collagen fillers if droopy lips are to blame for angular cheilitis. Droopy lips can cause the corners of the mouth to turn outward, which makes it easier for saliva to accumulate.
Summary
Angular cheilitis is an inflammatory skin condition that affects the corners of the mouth, leading to painful, cracked skin. It is sometimes confused with cold sores, but unlike cold sores, angular cheilitis isn’t contagious. Angular cheilitis is usually treatable with antifungal creams, antibiotics, and diet changes.
The outlook for most people with angular cheilitis is usually good. The condition typically goes away within two weeks of starting treatment. But people with chronic angular cheilitis need to manage and treat the condition for the rest of their lives, so be sure to seek out an accurate diagnosis.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Angular cheilitis.Lugović-Mihić L, Pilipović K, Crnarić I, Šitum M, Duvančić T.Differential diagnosis of cheilitis - how to classify cheilitis?Acta Clin Croat. 2018;57(2):342-351. doi:10.20471/acc.2018.57.02.16Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cold Sores.University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.What does oral thrush look like?British Medical Journal.Angular Cheilitis.Antonelli E, Bassotti G, Tramontana M, Hansel K, Stingeni L, Ardizzone S,et al.Dermatological Manifestations in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.J Clin Med. 2021 Jan 19;10(2):364. doi:10.3390/jcm10020364.Reinhardt LC, Nascente PDS, Ribeiro JS, et. al.A single-center 18-year experience with oral candidiasis in Brazil: a retrospective study of 1,534 cases.Braz Oral Res. 2018;32:e92. doi:10.1590/1807-3107bor-2018.vol32.0092Silva MF, Barbosa KG, Pereira JV, Bento PM, Godoy GP, Gomes DQ.Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions among patients with diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2.An Bras Dermatol. 2015;90(1):49-53. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20153089DermNet.Angular cheilitis.Cabras M, Gambino A, Broccoletti R, Lodi G, Arduino PG.Treatment of angular cheilitis: A narrative review and authors' clinical experience.Oral Dis. 2019 Aug 29. doi:10.1111/odi.13183
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Angular cheilitis.Lugović-Mihić L, Pilipović K, Crnarić I, Šitum M, Duvančić T.Differential diagnosis of cheilitis - how to classify cheilitis?Acta Clin Croat. 2018;57(2):342-351. doi:10.20471/acc.2018.57.02.16Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cold Sores.University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.What does oral thrush look like?British Medical Journal.Angular Cheilitis.Antonelli E, Bassotti G, Tramontana M, Hansel K, Stingeni L, Ardizzone S,et al.Dermatological Manifestations in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.J Clin Med. 2021 Jan 19;10(2):364. doi:10.3390/jcm10020364.Reinhardt LC, Nascente PDS, Ribeiro JS, et. al.A single-center 18-year experience with oral candidiasis in Brazil: a retrospective study of 1,534 cases.Braz Oral Res. 2018;32:e92. doi:10.1590/1807-3107bor-2018.vol32.0092Silva MF, Barbosa KG, Pereira JV, Bento PM, Godoy GP, Gomes DQ.Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions among patients with diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2.An Bras Dermatol. 2015;90(1):49-53. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20153089DermNet.Angular cheilitis.Cabras M, Gambino A, Broccoletti R, Lodi G, Arduino PG.Treatment of angular cheilitis: A narrative review and authors' clinical experience.Oral Dis. 2019 Aug 29. doi:10.1111/odi.13183
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Angular cheilitis.Lugović-Mihić L, Pilipović K, Crnarić I, Šitum M, Duvančić T.Differential diagnosis of cheilitis - how to classify cheilitis?Acta Clin Croat. 2018;57(2):342-351. doi:10.20471/acc.2018.57.02.16Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cold Sores.University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.What does oral thrush look like?British Medical Journal.Angular Cheilitis.Antonelli E, Bassotti G, Tramontana M, Hansel K, Stingeni L, Ardizzone S,et al.Dermatological Manifestations in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.J Clin Med. 2021 Jan 19;10(2):364. doi:10.3390/jcm10020364.Reinhardt LC, Nascente PDS, Ribeiro JS, et. al.A single-center 18-year experience with oral candidiasis in Brazil: a retrospective study of 1,534 cases.Braz Oral Res. 2018;32:e92. doi:10.1590/1807-3107bor-2018.vol32.0092Silva MF, Barbosa KG, Pereira JV, Bento PM, Godoy GP, Gomes DQ.Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions among patients with diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2.An Bras Dermatol. 2015;90(1):49-53. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20153089DermNet.Angular cheilitis.Cabras M, Gambino A, Broccoletti R, Lodi G, Arduino PG.Treatment of angular cheilitis: A narrative review and authors' clinical experience.Oral Dis. 2019 Aug 29. doi:10.1111/odi.13183
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Angular cheilitis.
Lugović-Mihić L, Pilipović K, Crnarić I, Šitum M, Duvančić T.Differential diagnosis of cheilitis - how to classify cheilitis?Acta Clin Croat. 2018;57(2):342-351. doi:10.20471/acc.2018.57.02.16
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cold Sores.
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.What does oral thrush look like?
British Medical Journal.Angular Cheilitis.
Antonelli E, Bassotti G, Tramontana M, Hansel K, Stingeni L, Ardizzone S,et al.Dermatological Manifestations in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.J Clin Med. 2021 Jan 19;10(2):364. doi:10.3390/jcm10020364.
Reinhardt LC, Nascente PDS, Ribeiro JS, et. al.A single-center 18-year experience with oral candidiasis in Brazil: a retrospective study of 1,534 cases.Braz Oral Res. 2018;32:e92. doi:10.1590/1807-3107bor-2018.vol32.0092
Silva MF, Barbosa KG, Pereira JV, Bento PM, Godoy GP, Gomes DQ.Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions among patients with diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2.An Bras Dermatol. 2015;90(1):49-53. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20153089
DermNet.Angular cheilitis.
Cabras M, Gambino A, Broccoletti R, Lodi G, Arduino PG.Treatment of angular cheilitis: A narrative review and authors' clinical experience.Oral Dis. 2019 Aug 29. doi:10.1111/odi.13183
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