What is cheilitis and how to treat each of its varieties

Not everyone knows about the existence of such a disease as cheilitis, but it occurs during life in almost everyone.

In order to timely provide treatment, it is necessary to find out the causes and symptoms of various types of inflammatory process on the lips.

What kind of attack is this?

Halitus is a disease characterized by an inflammatory process on the lips. It occurs quite often, since lips are inherently influenced by external factors. This part of the face does not have a protective layer. Due to weather conditions, especially low temperature, the skin is strongly dried, can crack and peel off. All this contributes to the development of inflammation.

The use of cosmetics and improper hygiene can also lead to the development of a disease that is equally susceptible to men and women, recorded cases of symptoms of the disease in children.

There are a lot of different forms of the disease, consider the main ones.

Contact allergic - take a look at your lips

The appearance of contact allergic cheilitis on the lips is associated with the effects of chemicals on the surface of the lips.

The most frequent reagents are toothpaste, lipstick, the material from which the denture is made. The greatest spread of the disease is seen in women over 20 years old.

Symptoms of the disease are localized at the point of contact of the allergen with the lips, reddening may appear not only on the red border, but also on the skin around the lips or on the mucous membrane. This form of cheilitis is manifested by erythema, the appearance of small watery vesicles. In the absence of treatment, the skin is dried, small grooves and cracks appear.

In the course of treatment it can be difficult to identify the source of an allergic reaction. To eliminate the symptoms prescribed course of antihistamines, such as Tavegil, Suprastin, Fenkarol.

For local effects, corticosteroids are prescribed in the form of ointments, for example, Lorinden. It is applied on the red border of the lips no more than 6 times a day.

Meteorological - all in the name of my

The causes of meteorological cheilitis on the lips are the weather conditions. The more pronounced the environmental conditions, the higher the risk of the appearance of symptoms of this form of the disease.

Negative factors include: too low or high temperature, high or low humidity, solar radiation, wind, dust.

All people who spend a lot of time in the open air are affected by this form of the disease, but they suffer from it more often than men, because women, using lipstick, protect their lips from the effects of climatic conditions.

The first signs of meteorological cheilitis is the pronounced dryness of the lower lip, the feeling of tightening the skin. The lower lip becomes saturated red, there is a noticeable difference compared to the upper one, there is swelling.

After that, the skin gradually dies off, scales are formed, which are easily removed.

The disease is chronic, so symptoms are repeated from time to time.

Meteorological cheilitis is often confused with other forms of the disease, so before the diagnosis is made the doctor conducts a thorough survey. For treatment it is necessary, as far as possible, to reduce the influence of natural conditions.

Before going out, make sure to use hygienic lipstick. With a protracted form prescribed hormonal ointments Elokom, Advantan and a complex of vitamins.

Atopic cheilitis

On the photo atopic cheilitis in a child

Occurs in the case of atopic dermatitis or neurodermatitis, often the disease is the only symptom of these diseases.

Often the cause is the presence of atopy allergy caused by reaction to food, cosmetics, dust, drugs, microorganisms. Inflammatory process of this type is affected by children aged 7 to 17 years, regardless of sex with a genetic predisposition.

Symptoms of the disease are mild edematous edema of the lips, burning and itching in this area, increased dryness.

Subsequently, the lips and the adjacent part of the skin begin to peel off, scales of cornified skin appear. This type of cheilitis is characterized by intense lesions around the corners of the lips, as well as increased dryness of the face. The disease is treated for a long time, the symptoms are pronounced in autumn and winter.

Patients are prescribed antihistamines, for example, Erius, Tavegil, Claritin and B vitamins. Corticosteroid preparations may be given in case of a protracted form of the disease, but the course of treatment should not exceed three weeks. For local treatment, Flucinar ointment, Lorinden, may be prescribed.

A prerequisite is the observance of a diet, according to which it is necessary to exclude the expressed allergens, such as coffee, chocolate, citrus, strawberry.

It is recommended to abandon strongly salted, spicy, sweet and sour food, reduce carbohydrate intake.

Glandular often strikes men

The cause of inflammation of the predominantly lower lip with grandular cheilitis is hyperplasia, hyperfunction or heterotopia of small salivary glands.

Distinguish primary and secondary forms of the disease, the first is associated with the genetic pathology of the salivary glands, and the second develops on the basis of other diseases, for example, with red lupus, leukoplakia, red flat lichen.

Diseases are affected by people older than 50 years, in men it is more common than in women.

Symptoms of the disease manifest themselves in the area of ​​the location of small salivary glands, when the red border of the lip passes into the mucous membrane. On the salivary glands droplets are formed, which moisten mainly the lower lip. Due to excessive salivation, it begins to dry, cracks and erosion may form.

In some cases, an infection may enter the salivary glands, as a result of which pus will accumulate inside. On the lips will appear a yellow-brown crust, the treatment will be protracted. The prolonged course of grandulite cheilitis can lead to precancerous form.

If the disease is caused by a genetic predisposition, then the treatment uses anti-inflammatory ointments: Hydrocortisone, Prednisolon. Hypertrophic salivary glands undergo excision or electrocoagulation. The secondary form of the disorder can be cured in the complex therapy of the underlying disease.

Exfoliative - where to look for its causes?

Exfoliative cheilitis has not yet been fully studied, so doctors only suggest that the causes of the onset of symptoms lie in neurogenic factors.

Patients with this form of impairment are characterized by the presence of mental disorders. There are two types of the disease: dry and exudative.

At the first - patients are characterized by depression, at the second - increased anxiety. Scientists note that the risk of pathology increases in people with a genetic predisposition and thyroid gland diseases.

The process is localized, the symptoms appear only on the red border of the lips, while not transferring to the skin and mucous membrane. When dry, the blood supply to the lip surface is disturbed, resulting in dry scales of gray color, which resemble mica.

In the center they are attached to the skin of the lips, and at the edges they are slightly lagging behind. Chews can be easily removed from the surface, redness remains in their place, but a week later new ones will appear.

In the photo, the dry form of exfoliative cheilitis on the lips of

The exudative form is much more painful. The area of ​​the border of the lips swells, it becomes inflamed, the yellowish-brown color is characteristic of the scales. The crust is so pronounced that it seems as if it is spread all over the red part of the lips. When the crusts fall off, you can see a saturated redness associated with lip hyperemia, but the skin is not eroded.

Patients complain of severe pain and burning, which makes it difficult to eat and talk. Often with this form the mouth is left ajar.

In the treatment of exfoliative cheilitis, it is first necessary to eliminate the cause of the disease. Patients are assigned tranquilizers, neuroleptics or antidepressants depending on the form of the disease.

For local treatment use hygienic lipsticks, ultrasound hormonal drugs, radiation therapy. In complex therapy, Pyrogenal, vitamins C and B, immunostimulants, autohemotherapy are prescribed.

Lip inflammation caused by ultraviolet

Actinic cheilitis is an inflammatory lip disease caused by increased sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. This is one of the manifestations of an allergic reaction. Most often, the disease manifests itself in children due to prolonged exposure to the sun in the spring-summer period.

Also this form occurs in men 30-60 years old. The disease has a pronounced seasonal character, spring and summer is exacerbated, and in the autumn-winter period the symptoms disappear.

Occurs in two forms:

1. The dry form of resembles dry exfoliative cheilitis on symptoms, only the disease on the lower lip is manifested.
2. With exudative form , edema of the red border of the lower lip is observed, some areas become red. In special cases on the lips appear bubbles, which eventually burst and are covered with a dry crust. During treatment, the epithelium is restored, and the crust disappears.

In especially neglected cases, the lips dry strongly, deep cracks appear, which can develop into sores or warts. This form is dangerous from the point of view of the risk of developing the cancer of the lower lip.

People exposed to ultraviolet light should avoid direct sunlight and use hygienic lipsticks with a high level of UV protection. The course of treatment includes a complex of vitamins and anti-inflammatory ointments Afloderm, Synoderm. During the period of remission, it is recommended to use protective creams and balms for preventive purposes.

Candidiasis on the lips

Caused by excessive reproduction of yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida. Most often this form of cheilitis affects children, elderly people, women of childbearing age.

The highest prevalence of morbidity is recorded in places with warm climate and high humidity, for example, close to the sea coast.

The main cause is reduced immunity, which can be caused by the seasonal nature, the borne diseases, the wrong way of life.

Candidiasis cheilitis begins with redness of the outer surface of the lips and mucous membrane inside, there is swelling and a film of gray-white color. On the mucous membrane a white curdled coating forms, which, when cleared, opens the inflamed areas.

The surface of the lips dries heavily, cracks are formed, because of the tightness of the skin, the mouth is painful to open, jaws form in the corners of the lips. When untimely treatment of the disease is complicated by candidal stomatitis.

When treating the fungus on the lips prescribe antifungal ointments based on nystatin or clotrimalose. Must rinse the mouth with soda or a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

If the local treatment at home has no effect, the doctor prescribes antifungal drugs( Diflucan) for oral administration. It is necessary to take immunostimulating drugs and vitamin complexes.

More information on different types of the disease will be told by a dermatologist:

Angular cheilitis

The shape of an angular cheilitis affects the skin at the corners of the lips. Inflammatory process is caused by fungi of the genus Candida or streptococci. There are several causes of the disease, among them:

• frequent licking and biting of lips and their corners;
• thumb sucking;
• antibiotic therapy;
• incorrect bite;
• dry mouth;
• infection in the oral cavity;
• lack of vitamins.

At the initial stage of the disease, the corners of the mouth barely noticeably become inflamed, the burning sensation is felt when the mouth is opened, during the conversation, cracks are formed.

Later on, a white coating can be seen on the site of the skin lesion, which is easily removed, revealing the inflamed surface. This form of the disease can develop into a chronic one. In addition, in the absence of timely treatment, signs of the disease will spread to the lips and mucous membranes.

Treatment is performed at home using antifungal drugs( Fluconazole, Candide) or antibacterial ointments( Fusiderm).Do not use irritating food, it is recommended to carefully monitor hygiene.

Manganotti's disease

It is considered a precancerous condition, therefore, during its treatment it is necessary to closely monitor the dynamics and constantly conduct tests for the presence of malignant cells. Most often, the lower lip suffers from this disease.

The maximum risk for men after 55 years. Heilit Manganotti develops with atrophy and disturbance of metabolic processes inside the mucous lips.

Many factors can provoke the process: trauma, sun exposure, chemical and temperature irritants, problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

This form of the disease is manifested by the appearance of red erosion, which is surrounded by inflammation. After some time, the lesion will be covered with a smooth polished crust, after removal of which will open bleeding. The disease is chronic, so when the first symptoms appear it is necessary to take appropriate measures.

During treatment, the cause of its appearance is eliminated, the oral cavity is sanitized. For the healing of erosions use: Methyluracil ointment, Solcoseryl and vitamin A.

For the removal of inflammation, corticosteroids are prescribed. If no positive dynamics are observed or malignant cells are detected, surgical intervention is prescribed. The surgical method removes the entire damaged part to a healthy epithelium.

Haylit is an inflammatory disease of the lips, but there are so many varieties of it that it is impossible to understand independently which symptoms of a form have appeared. The diagnosis can be made only by an experienced specialist, and the faster the treatment is prescribed, the better for the patient.