You Can't Kiss With Cheilitis

Cheilitis is a general term for the inflammation of the lips. This common condition can manifest in various ways, affecting one or both lips and causing a range of uncomfortable symptoms. While often a minor and temporary issue, cheilitis can sometimes be persistent or indicate an underlying medical condition.

What Does Cheilitis Look and Feel Like?
The appearance and sensation of cheilitis can vary depending on the specific type and cause. Common signs and symptoms include:   

• Dryness and scaling: The lips may feel rough, tight, and flaky.
• Redness and inflammation: One or both lips can appear red and swollen.   
• Cracking and fissuring: Painful cracks or splits may develop, especially in the corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis).   
• Burning or itching: The lips may feel irritated, itchy, or have a burning sensation.   
• Tenderness or pain: The lips can be sensitive to touch and may feel sore.   
• Blisters or crusting: In some cases, small blisters may form that can break and crust over.   
• Changes in lip color: The lips might appear lighter or darker than usual.

What Causes Cheilitis?
Cheilitis can be caused by a wide range of factors. Identifying the specific cause is important for effective management. Some common causes include:   

• Irritants: Exposure to harsh chemicals in cosmetics, lip balms, or toothpaste can irritate the lips.   
• Allergens: Allergic reactions to substances like fragrances, dyes, or ingredients in lip products or foods can trigger cheilitis.   
• Environmental factors: Extreme weather conditions like cold, dry air or excessive sun exposure can dry out and irritate the lips.   
• Infections: Fungal infections (like yeast) or bacterial infections can cause cheilitis, particularly angular cheilitis.   
• Nutritional deficiencies: Deficiencies in certain vitamins, such as vitamin B12, iron, or zinc, have been linked to cheilitis.   
• Habits: Frequent lip licking can dry out the lips and lead to irritation.   
• Medications: Certain medications can have cheilitis as a side effect.   
• Underlying medical conditions: Some systemic diseases, such as autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus) or inflammatory bowel disease, can manifest with cheilitis.
• Actinic cheilitis: This is a precancerous condition caused by chronic sun exposure, typically affecting the lower lip.

Types of Cheilitis
There are several types of cheilitis, each with its own characteristics and potential causes. Some common types include:  

• Angular Cheilitis (Perlèche): Inflammation and cracking at the corners of the mouth, often due to infection, nutritional deficiencies, or ill-fitting dentures.   
• Contact Cheilitis: An eczematous reaction caused by direct contact with an irritant or allergen.   
• Actinic Cheilitis (Solar Cheilitis): Caused by chronic sun exposure, leading to scaly, thickened patches on the lips, primarily the lower lip.   
• Exfoliative Cheilitis: A rare condition characterized by persistent scaling and peeling of the lips.   
• Glandular Cheilitis: Inflammation of the minor salivary glands in the lips, which can lead to swelling and crusting.

Managing Cheilitis
The approach to managing cheilitis depends on the underlying cause. General self-care measures and medical treatments may include:

• Identifying and avoiding triggers: If an irritant or allergen is suspected, discontinuing its use is crucial.
• Keeping the lips moisturized: Regularly applying a bland, fragrance-free lip balm can help to protect and hydrate the lips. Medsons Lip Ointment contains Bisabolol and Panthenol,to help with wound healing and inflammation of the lips, at the same time locks in the moisture for the lips.   
• Avoiding lip licking: This can worsen dryness and irritation.
• Using sun protection: Applying a lip balm with SPF can help prevent actinic cheilitis and protect against sun-related irritation.   
• Topical medications: Depending on the cause, a doctor may prescribe topical corticosteroids, antifungal creams, or antibiotic ointments.   
• Oral medications: In cases of infection or underlying medical conditions, oral medications may be necessary.   
• Addressing nutritional deficiencies: If a deficiency is identified, supplementation may be recommended.   
• Medical procedures: Actinic cheilitis may require treatments like cryotherapy, topical medications, or surgical removal of the affected tissue.   

When to Seek Medical Advice
While mild cheilitis often resolves on its own with simple care, it's important to seek medical advice if:

• The symptoms are severe or persistent.
• The condition doesn't improve with self-care measures.
• There are signs of infection (increased redness, swelling, pus).
• You suspect an allergic reaction.
• You have concerns about an underlying medical condition.
• You notice persistent scaly or thickened patches, especially on the lower lip.