Cheilitis is the term used to describe inflamed lips. It manifest as red, scaly and often painful lips. The most common causes include infection, skin condition, allergy, medication, injury, nutritional deficiency and chronic sun exposure. Treatment of cheilitis depends on the cause. Emollient lip balms and sunscreens are usually recommended.
1. ANGULAR CHEILITIS
Clinical features
Red scaly plaques with painful cracks that affect the corners of the mouth. Satelite red bumps are evident of Candida infection.
It is caused by the following:
- Overhang of upper lip
- Saliva collection
- Dry chapped lips
- Worsened by licking lips
Predisposing factors
- Oral candida
- Poor fitting dentures
- Nutritional disorder
- Atopic dermatitis
- Reinoid use
Treatment
- Lip balm applied frequently
- Topical antifungal cream
- Topical steroid ointment
- Nutritional supplements
2. ACTINIC CHEILITIS
Actinic cheilitis results from chronic sun exposure of the lower lip. It presents as dryness and thickening of the vermilion of the lower lip.
Possible Complications
Actinic cheilitis is a pre-malignant condition. Invasive skin cancer should be suspected if the lip is focally tender, or if a persistent ulcer or nodule develops.
Diagnosis
Actinic cheilitis is usually diagnosed clinically. A skin biopsy may be taken if a skin cancer or an underlying inflammatory condition is suspected.
Treatment
- Sunscreen
- Topical therapies
- Cryotherapy
3. ECZEMATOUS CHEILITIS
It refers to lips with red, itchy lesions that becomes chronic dry and thickened.
Causes:
- Irritant contact dermatitis
- Allergic contact dermatitis
4. MEDICATION CHEILITIS
- Oral and topical retinoids may cause dry, chapped lips. Emollient lip balms are advised
