Angular Cheilitis: How To Heal Cracked Lip Corners Fast

What Is Angular Cheilitis?

Angular Cheilitis, a fairly common skin condition, often impacts both mouth corners and causes cracked sores. Even though it may look serious, angular cheilitis is not serious if treated early. The condition is also known as perleche or angular stomatitis. Often, people think angular cheilitis is like cold sores. However, they are two different conditions.

The main cause of angular cheilitis is the herpes virus. But cold sores tend to be infectious. On the other hand, angular cheilitis isn’t. Some even confuse it as the pimple on the lip line but they don’t form blisters. So, it’s important to recognize your condition first so you can receive treatment before it gets worse.

What Causes Angular Cheilitis?

Angular cheilitis happens when saliva accumulates at the sides of your mouth. This causes extreme dryness. Dry, tingling burning itchy lips and skin around the mouth causes this lips condition. With time, the skin can crack open. At times, fungi or bacteria can make their way into the cracks. This leads to infection or inflammation.

Some common reasons for dry cracked skin corner of the mouth that can cause angular cheilitis are as follows:

1. Misaligned teeth
2. Eczema KR atopic dermatitis
3. Improper dentures
4. Yeast or fungal infections around the mouth
5. Skin allergies
6. Drools while sleeping
7. Using a face mask
8. Using a pacifier or thumb to suck

Symptoms: Angular Cheilitis

Following are the Angular Cheilitis symptoms.

• Bleeding
• Pain and itching
• Swelling
• Maceration
• Crusting
• Secondary infection
• Redness
• Cracking

How To Differentiate Angular Cheilitis from Other Lip Conditions?

As discussed, this condition of the lip causes redness and inflammation. It also leads to cracked corners and bleeding in some cases. Some bacterial infections on the lip can seem like Angular Cheilitis but they are far different. If you fail to identify the problem or misjudge it to be insignificant, you are going to be surprised to know how tiny problems snowball into critical situations. So, how can you differentiate angular cheilitis from several other conditions of the lip?

The first thing you should do is look for symptoms that indicate angular cheilitis. The condition causes dryness, redness, and cracks on the corners of the mouth, unlike cold sores. People commonly confuse Angular Cheilitis with cold sores which are caused by a virus.  A virus is not responsible for this lips condition. Also, cold sores have many tiny fluid-filled blisters appearing on your lips or lines of your lips which is not the case with Angular Cheilitis.

With chapped lips, you often experience dryness in the lips. But angular cheilitis affects mostly the corners creating splits that can ooze out blood seeming angry and red.

On the other hand, lip eczema causes itching and inflammation similar to Angular Cheilitis. However, this lips condition aims at the corners of the mouth where lip eczema can appear on or around the lip and create blisters.

Oral candidiasis has the most overlapping symptoms such as Angular Cheilitis resulting in white patches in the mouth. It is best to visit your doctor for the right diagnosis and proper medication because it can get very confusing and best to leave it to the experts. Thus, they can put you on angular cheilitis medication sooner.

How Does A Doctor Diagnose Angular Cheilitis?

Black Hills Beauty College recommends checking medical conditions by a healthcare provider or a dermatologist. The physician will check the mouth and other body parts to look for skin irritations. In addition, they will inquire about your lifestyle and other medications. Furthermore, they will review your health history as well as your personal history.

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Since angular cheilitis could be bacterial or fungal, the physician might take mouth swabs for testing. But this is done only if other treatments were not successful.

Angular Cheilitis Treatment Methods

The treatment plan will work best depending on the reason for the condition. It can include the following:

Creams or Ointments: Often topical steroids help to relieve swelling as well as pain from the corners of the mount. You can also use petroleum jelly or lip balm to protect your mouth. There are many options to look for like Vaseline, Aquaphor or a specially created Angular Cheilitis Free Forever.

Antibiotics: Topical or oral antibiotic medications work best to treat such infections.

Dietary Changes: Including foods rich in iron, vitamins (B, A), and protein helps heal the skin.

Dental work: Mouth wear or dentures should be a proper fit. In addition, misaligned teeth can be fixed using braces.

Angular Cheilitis Self-Care at Home

You can treat this lips condition at home easily with these remedies if the condition hasn’t worsened yet or is in its initial phase. If things don’t look good you would want to check with a doctor faster.

• Make sure to have a healthy and balanced diet mostly packed with vitamin B, protein, and iron.
• Keep the mouth area dry and clean.
• Avoid the build-up of moisture.
• Do not touch or lick the affected area of your mouth.
• Use petroleum jelly around the mouth to soothe the skin from itching. You can also use coconut oil.
• Drink a lot of water and do not eat spicy foods or you will end up irritating the affected areas more.
• Make sure to use antifungal creams that will help treat the issue.
• If the situation does not improve, consider visiting a doctor at the earliest.

Have foods that are rich in iron and protein so you don’t develop this condition, to begin with. For instance, include nuts, leafy vegetables as well as whole grains in your diet. This will help boost the immune system and promote good skin health.

Angular Cheilitis Self-Care Treatment Best Practices

Preventive measures are always the best way to fight against Angular Cheilitis or any other health condition. And if you do get affected by it, the best option is to get started with angular cheilitis treatments sooner.

Importance Of Early Treatment to Prevent Worsening of the Symptoms of Angular Cheilitis

You need to take care of the condition before it worsens. Diagnosis at the right time can help treat it before it advances. Ignoring the first signs can lead to deeper cracks, increased swelling, and other infections. Getting the right treatment for this lips condition can reduce discomfort and pain. It will also help in a faster healing process.

What are the Underlying Causes and Triggers of Angular Cheilitis?

For proper at-home Angular Cheilitis self-care you need to understand the cause of this problem and what triggers it the best so you can stop doing those things. Follow these steps to understand the underlying triggers of the condition.

• Reduce your stress levels as this can be a trigger.
• Level up on your oral hygiene. This includes flossing, brushing, and cleaning the mouth.
• Avoid using lip products or toothpaste that can worsen the condition.
• Drink a lot of water and have a healthy diet.
• If you have nutritional deficiencies, address those.
• Manage health conditions like diabetes or other disorders on time.
• In case of a chronic case, make sure to visit your doctor.
• Use antifungal creams to treat fungal infections.
• Ensure dentures fit you well.

Overcoming Specific Symptoms

Some most common Angular Cheilitis symptoms include cracked corners, redness, and inflammation. And you can overcome these symptoms using the following methods.

Red Burning Lips Not Chapped

Here is how you can manage red inflamed lips.

• Do not touch or lick the lips or mouth area to prevent irritating it.
• Keep the mouth area dry and clean.
• Use lip balms that do not have fragrance. You can also use ointment for moisture.
• Make use of a humidifier that will ensure correct humidity levels in the surrounding.
• Avoid eating spicy or salty foods. This can worsen the situation.
• Use hydrocortisone cream on the affected area.
• 7. If the situation remains the same, visit a doctor for the right course of treatment.

How To Heal Cracked Lip Corners Fast?

Here is how you can manage dry and cracked skin surrounding the mouth and lips.

• Apply an ointment or lip balm that has coconut oil, cocoa butter, and jojoba oil.
• Make sure that the affected area is dry and clean.
• Do not touch or lick the affected area.
• Have a healthy diet and drink enough water.
• In a dry environment, use a quality humidifier.
• If there is no improvement, visit a doctor at the earliest.
• Look for hypoallergenic lip balms if you have skin allergies.

Additionally, you may explore Angular Cheilitis Free Forever, a product claiming to be an all-natural and safe solution for curing Angular Cheilitis in a short period. It reportedly has been used successfully by many customers worldwide, offering relief from the symptoms associated with Angular Cheilitis.

Pros and Cons of the Product

Pros

• Fast and effective relief from Angular Cheilitis.
• All-natural and safe ingredients.
• Suitable for all skin types.
• A permanent solution to prevent a recurrence.
• Enhances your social life by boosting confidence.
• Avoid dependency on expensive medications or products.

Cons

• Online purchase only.

How To Heal a Cut Lip Fast?

Here is how you can treat cut lips:

• Do not lick the wound.
• Use an ice pack on the cut to ease the wound.
• Refrain from using any make-up or lipstick until the cut heals.
• Use antiseptic ointment to clean the cut along with water.
• Use an antibiotic that will give you relief from inflammation.
• Do not pick at the wounds.
• Carefully choose your food as anything spicy will irritate the cut even more making it worse.
• Use a good cloth to ensure the affected part is hydrated.
• In case the mouth cut is severe, visit the doctor.

Swollen Lip on One Side Treatment

• Use antiseptic to clean the swollen area from debris and dirt.
• Use a cold compress on the swollen lip for at least 10 to 15 minutes. You should never apply ice directly on the wound to avoid frostbite.
• To restrict blood flow on the swollen lip, prop up your head using extra pillows.
• Drink loads of water to avoid dehydration.
• Don’t use any chemical products like makeup.
• You can also use over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen if the pain gets worse.

Preventive Measures You Can Take to Avoid Bacterial Infections

Here is how you can identify and avoid bacterial infections.

• Stay away from sick individuals
• Maintain good hygiene by using sanitizer or washing your hand with soap.
• Upgrade your oral care.
• Do not touch your face, eyes, mouth, or nose before cleaning your hand.
• Clean the surfaces with a good disinfectant.
• Make sure to cook meat well and handle it safely.
• Ensure to keep wounds and cuts are covered.
• Ensure to have a healthy and balanced diet with good sleep.
• Also, have sufficient rest.
• Keep up with your regular vaccinations.
• If you develop any discharge or fever, visit the doctor immediately.

How To Maintain Lip Health to Prevent Future Development of Angular Cheilitis

• Drink a lot of water and stay hydrated.
• Do not bite or lick the lips.
• Use an SPF-infused lip balm to keep your lips safe.
• Maintain the best oral hygiene to optimize oral health.
• If you have dentures, fix issues if any.
• If you often have lip issues, get the right treatment.

Strategies To Reduce the Risk of Swollen Lips on One Side

• Do not eat any spicy foods. It will irritate the mouth.
• Drink a lot of water throughout the day.
• Use a quality lip balm that has SPF.
• Use good toothpaste. Do not use products that add to further irritation.
• Stay away from allergens that can cause a reaction.
• If the situation persists, then visit the doctor for further medication.

When Should You Seek Professional Help for Angular Cheilitis? 

In case you have angular cheilitis, then we advise you to visit a doctor. If home treatment for angular cheilitis does not work or if the situation does not get better, seek medical help. Furthermore, if it gets infected or painful, do not delay and get immediate help. If you suffer from diabetes or other immune disorders, it is best to seek treatment from healthcare professionals as soon as you can. Diagnosis at the right time can save you time and reduce the risk of further infections. Also, if you do not know how to tackle the condition, seek treatment at the earliest.

The Final Lowdown

Angular Cheilitis is a condition that causes cracks surrounding the mouth. This can be equally painful and discomforting. But with some simple self-care regimes, individuals can often prevent the occurrence of angular cheilitis. It is important to stay hydrated, include a nutrient-rich diet, and maintain the best oral hygiene. This will ensure you heal faster and avoid getting it in the future. You can also use an over-the-counter cream to treat Angular Cheilitis.

Besides, avoid licking or touching the lips, which can worsen the situation. Additionally, avoid using harsh products near or around the mouth. This will speed up the process. By indulging in self-care, anyone can reduce Angular Cheilitis symptoms. They can also improve your overall health as well as well-being.