subject: Treatment For Angular Cheilitis [print this page] If you have ever developed sores on mouth corners at some point in your life, what you have probably experienced is angular cheilitis. Quite a common condition that results in the development of sores on mouth corners, angular cheilitis can causes a significant degree of inflammation and eventual splitting or cracking of affected area.
Medical science has yet to determine the actual cause of angular cheilitis. The current theories explain the condition range from the common cold to the flu, to a bacterial or fungal infection. Some have even attribute the condition to changes in the weather. This difficulty in determining the root causes of the condition make it extremely challenging to prescribe an appropriate treatment for angular cheilitis.
In most cases, angular cheilitis will disappear on its own even without aggressive clinical treatment. Much of the thrust of the treatment of angular cheilitis therefore involves easing the symptoms of the condition rather than providing an actual cure. Many people have experienced considerable relief by using over-the-counter topical solutions or even home remedies. For most minor cases, these methods for the treatment of angular cheilitis should be sufficient in easing the pain and discomfort associated with the condition while letting it run its course.
Although angular cheilitis does not usually pose any significant health concerns, it is important to note that certain people will require closer monitoring and even clinical intervention if the symptoms worsen or do not go away. Particularly at risk are patients with diabetes, for whom any infection should be dealt with by a medical professional as soon as possible.
One popular ingredient in the treatment of angular cheilitis is petroleum jelly. Simply by applying a small amount of the jelly on the affected area, you may be able to get considerable relief. This also has the further advantage of protecting the skin by reducing bacteria, thereby hastening the healing process and preventing the spread of the sores.
You may have considered other over-the-counter topical creams as a treatment for angular cheilitis. Some of the creams used for this purpose are of the antifungal variety, a few of which can provide relief from the most bothersome symptoms of skin care. That being said, there is no guarantee that any of these creams will actually work, and you often won't know just how effective they are until after you have tried them. You should also give careful thought to using creams that contain nystatin, econazole or clotrimazole, as these ingredients have been linked with unwanted side effects. Before using a product with any of these ingredients, you should fort consult with your doctor with regard to their safety and effectiveness.
Some segments of the medical community believe that the condition may be caused by a deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals. In particular, insufficient intake of B vitamins, iron and zinc is thought to be a mitigating factor in the development of angular cheilitis. More recent forms of treatment for angular cheilitis are therefore intended to deal with this issue.
by: Gen Wright
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