<P> Treatment for angular cheilitis is typically based on the underlying causes along with the use of a barrier cream . Frequently an antifungal and antibacterial cream is also tried . Angular cheilitis is a fairly common problem, with estimates that it affects 0.7% of the population . It occurs most often in the 30s to 60s, although is also relatively common in children . In the developing world, iron and vitamin deficiencies are a common cause . </P> <P> Angular cheilitis is a fairly non specific term which describes the presence of an inflammatory lesion in a particular anatomic site (i.e. the corner of the mouth). As there are different possible causes and contributing factors from one person to the next, the appearance of the lesion is somewhat variable . The lesions are more commonly symmetrically present on both sides of the mouth, but sometimes only one side may be affected . In some cases, the lesion may be confined to the mucosa of the lips, and in other cases the lesion may extend past the vermilion border (the edge where the lining on the lips becomes the skin on the face) onto the facial skin . Initially, the corners of the mouth develop a gray - white thickening and adjacent erythema (redness). Later, the usual appearance is a roughly triangular area of erythema, edema (swelling) and breakdown of skin at either corner of the mouth . The mucosa of the lip may become fissured (cracked), crusted, ulcerated or atrophied . There is not usually any bleeding . Where the skin is involved, there may be radiating rhagades (linear fissures) from the corner of the mouth . Infrequently, the dermatitis (which may resemble eczema) can extend from the corner of the mouth to the skin of the cheek or chin . If Staphylococcus aureus is involved, the lesion may show golden yellow crusts . In chronic angular cheilitis, there may be suppuration (pus formation), exfoliation (scaling) and formation of granulation tissue . </P> <P> Sometimes contributing factors can be readily seen, such as loss of lower face height from poorly made or worn dentures, which results in mandibular overclosure ("collapse of jaws"). If there is a nutritional deficiency underlying the condition, various other signs and symptoms such as glossitis (swollen tongue) may be present . In people with angular cheilitis who wear dentures, often there may be erythematous mucosa underneath the denture (normally the upper denture), an appearance consistent with denture - related stomatitis . Typically the lesions give symptoms of soreness, pain, pruritus (itching) or burning or a raw feeling . </P> <P> Angular cheilitis is thought to be multifactorial disorder of infectious origin, with many local and systemic predisposing factors . The sores in angular cheilitis are often infected with fungi (yeasts), bacteria, or a combination thereof; this may represent a secondary, opportunistic infection by these pathogens . Some studies have linked the initial onset of angular cheilitis with nutritional deficiencies, especially of the B (B2 - riboflavin) vitamins and iron (which causes iron deficiency anemia), which in turn may be evidence of malnutrition or malabsorption . Angular cheilitis can be a manifestation of contact dermatitis, which is considered in two groups; irritational and allergic . </P>

Cold sore in the corner of my mouth