Angular cheilitis is a type of common inflammation of the lips. In medical terms, it is called as perleche or angular stomatitis or cheilosis. Often it affects the corner of the mouth and lips causing inflammation. This causes painful irritation on the mouth.
Symptoms :
The major symptom of angular cheilitis is soreness and inflammation on the lips and corners of the mouth. It causes painful sores, cracks or blisters on the lips. Sometimes pus like liquid would ooze out of the sores. It can also produce bleeding and redness on the mouth. Initially it starts as small infection and gradually develops into painful inflammation.
Causes :
Angular cheilitis is a type of skin infection caused by bacteria. Many factors can trigger formation of sores or lesions on the mouth corners. Nutritional deficiency, taking low doses of Vitamin B, drooling of saliva often, having low immunity, having more types of skin infection or dermatitis, and cold weather are some of the factors that can cause angular cheilitis. Cold weather can cause dryness which can induce chapping and lip licking which can lead to inflammation on the lips. Exposure to bacteria or yeast can cause impetigo/thrush leading to painful sores on the lips.