Angular cheilitis is an inflammatory skin condition that causes cracked, irritated skin at the corners of the mouth. The treatment for angular cheilitis depends on the cause of the condition. Since most cases of angular cheilitis are caused by saliva, the best way to treat and prevent dryness from this condition is to keep the affected areas moisturized. Here are some treatments for angular cheilitis:
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Ointments: A thick ointment like petroleum jelly can work well for treating angular cheilitis. Ointments seal water for long periods of time, which allows moisture to be locked into your lips.
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Antifungal creams: If a fungal infection has made its way into cracked, dry skin, topical antifungal creams are a good solution. You can also try oral antifungal treatments to help with infections.
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Antibacterial creams: Many cases of angular cheilitis are caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly causes skin problems. If your doctor identifies this as the cause of your cheilitis, they’ll likely recommend that you apply an antibacterial cream that contains active ingredients mupirocin or fusidic acid.
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Topical steroid cream: A topical steroid cream can help relieve inflammation and itching.
It is important to note that if your symptoms are severe, you should seek medical attention and always consult your doctor before trying a product or at-home treatment for angular cheilitis. Additionally, some lip balms or Chapstick can worsen the condition, so it is best to avoid products with fragrance or dyes, which can be irritating. Here are some positive and negative aspects of the treatments:
Positive aspects:
- Ointments seal water for long periods of time, which allows moisture to be locked into your lips.
- Antifungal creams can directly treat a fungal infection.
- Antibacterial creams can treat bacterial infections.
- Topical steroid creams can help relieve inflammation and itching.
Negative aspects:
- Some lip balms or Chapstick can worsen the condition.
- If your symptoms are severe, you should seek medical attention[[1]](https...