<P> Severe tooth wear or ill fitting dentures may cause wrinkling at the corners of the lip that creates a favorable environment for the condition . This can be corrected with onlays or crowns on the worn teeth to restore height or new dentures with "taller" teeth . The loss of vertical dimension has been associated with angular cheilitis in older individuals with an increase in facial laxity . </P> <P> Angular chielitis is normally a diagnosis made clinically . If the sore is unilateral, rather than bilateral, this suggests a local factor (e.g., trauma) or a split syphilitic papule . Angular cheilitis caused by mandibular overclosure, drooling, and other irritants is usually bilateral . </P> <P> The lesions are normally swabbed to detect if Candida or pathogenic bacterial species may be present . Persons with angular cheilitis who wear dentures often also will have their denture swabbed in addition . A complete blood count (full blood count) may be indicated, including assessment of the levels of iron, ferritin, vitamin B12 (and possibly other B vitamins), and folate . </P> <P> Angular cheilitis could be considered to be a type of cheilitis or stomatitis . Where Candida species are involved, angular cheilitis is classed as a type of oral candidiasis, specifically a primary (group I) Candida - associated lesion . This form angular cheilitis which is caused by Candida is sometimes termed "Candida - associated angular cheilitis", or less commonly, "monilial perlèche". Angular cheilitis can also be classified as acute (sudden, short - lived appearance of the condition) or chronic (lasts a long time or keeps returning), or refractory (the condition persists despite attempts to treat it). </P>

The sides of my mouth are red and itchy