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Lip balm will save antibiotics may not always be needed.
What are lip stains
Angular (angular) cheilitis, angulitis - this is the name of zaids in medical language. This is a skin irritation that sometimes occurs in the corners of the lips. It can be light and make itself felt by just redness. And it can affect the skin up to the appearance of painful peeling and cracks that bleed.
Where do lip stains come from?
In most cases, the trigger for angulitis is saliva. For various reasons, it actively accumulates in the corners of the lips and, when it evaporates, causes skin dryness and irritation.
A person tries to get rid of unpleasant sensations and unconsciously licks his lips. This worsens the situation: there is more saliva, irritation is more active.
Moisture in the corners of the lips attracts germs. When the smallest cracks appear due to irritation, microorganisms get the opportunity to penetrate deep into the skin. The inflammatory process begins. In the absence of treatment, it can last for weeks - until the immune system copes with the invasion. But it is not easy to do this.
The fact is that microbes most often get on the lips from the mouth with saliva. For example, the fungus Candida albicans. Everyone who has ever encountered such a disease as thrush is familiar with it: this fungus lives with equal success in the mouth, vagina, skin, and intestines. Having gained the opportunity to penetrate under the skin and almost without encountering resistance of the immune system, Candida albicans begins to multiply actively. Painful inflammation and swelling occur in the corners of the lips.
Common bacterial infections — staphylococcus and streptococcus — can also be involved in inflammation. Infection is often multiple: first a fungus, then staphylococci, for example, join it.
Why do some people get chapped lips, and others don't
Doctors do not yet have a clear answer. But it is assumed that two factors play a key role here: the tendency to accumulate saliva and the characteristics of personal immunity.
Each of us can be extremely sensitive to the appearance of angulitis in one period of his life, and in another he will not get sick, even if he constantly licks his lips.
You fall into the risk group in the following cases:
- The shape of your mouth is such that there are folds at the corners of your lips where saliva can collect.
- You have reduced facial muscle tone. They sag, forming folds. This problem is pronounced, for example, in people with Down syndrome.
- You wear dentures. If they are poorly selected, it can cause accumulation of saliva in the corners of the lips.
- You have thrush in your mouth.
- You suffer from tooth decay and gum disease. In this case, there may be more microbes in the mouth than desired.
- You have a viral infection affecting the oral cavity. Even an ordinary ARVI can provoke the appearance of angulitis.
- You are diabetic. With this disease, the skin becomes vulnerable to infections and immunity decreases.
- Your immune system is weakened. It can be a consequence of taking some drugs, chemotherapy and certain diseases, for example, HIV or AIDS.
- You are anemic. Researchers also associate it with an increased risk of angular cheilitis. It is assumed that iron deficiency can reduce immunity. Anemia is caused, among other things, by unbalanced nutrition or strict diets. Eating incorrectly - don't be surprised if you overeat.
- You are an elderly person. With age, facial muscles sag, folds form near the lips, and immunity becomes weaker.
You have an autoimmune disease. For example, lupus, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis.
How to treat chapped lips
It depends on what stage the angulita is at. If it is only about irritation, it is enough to get a hold of yourself and stop licking your lips, especially in the wind. An oily lip balm will also help. Lubricate the corners with it - this will prevent rapid loss of moisture and dangerous dryness of the skin.
As a rule, this form of angulitis passes within 2-3 days. If the irritation persists, becomes painful, peeling and swelling occur, a therapist or dermatologist will help you.
The doctor will find out what exactly caused the inflammation. If it is a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be prescribed, if it is fungal, an antifungal agent will be prescribed. In addition, the doctor may recommend a steroid-based ointment to reduce inflammation.
And, of course, an important role is played by lifestyle, which affects immunity. Proper nutrition, regular visits to the dentist, exercises for facial muscles - all this can reduce the risk of angulitis.
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Lip balm will save antibiotics may not always be needed.
What are lip stains
Angular (angular) cheilitis, angulitis - this is the name of zaids in medical language. This is a skin irritation that sometimes occurs in the corners of the lips. It can be light and make itself felt by just redness. And it can affect the skin up to the appearance of painful peeling and cracks that bleed.
Where do lip stains come from?
In most cases, the trigger for angulitis is saliva. For various reasons, it actively accumulates in the corners of the lips and, when it evaporates, causes skin dryness and irritation.
A person tries to get rid of unpleasant sensations and unconsciously licks his lips. This worsens the situation: there is more saliva, irritation is more active.
Moisture in the corners of the lips attracts germs. When the smallest cracks appear due to irritation, microorganisms get the opportunity to penetrate deep into the skin. The inflammatory process begins. In the absence of treatment, it can last for weeks - until the immune system copes with the invasion. But it is not easy to do this.
The fact is that microbes most often get on the lips from the mouth with saliva. For example, the fungus Candida albicans. Everyone who has ever encountered such a disease as thrush is familiar with it: this fungus lives with equal success in the mouth, vagina, skin, and intestines. Having gained the opportunity to penetrate under the skin and almost without encountering resistance of the immune system, Candida albicans begins to multiply actively. Painful inflammation and swelling occur in the corners of the lips.
Common bacterial infections — staphylococcus and streptococcus — can also be involved in inflammation. Infection is often multiple: first a fungus, then staphylococci, for example, join it.
Why do some people get chapped lips, and others don't
Doctors do not yet have a clear answer. But it is assumed that two factors play a key role here: the tendency to accumulate saliva and the characteristics of personal immunity.
Each of us can be extremely sensitive to the appearance of angulitis in one period of his life, and in another he will not get sick, even if he constantly licks his lips.
You fall into the risk group in the following cases:
- The shape of your mouth is such that there are folds at the corners of your lips where saliva can collect.
- You have reduced facial muscle tone. They sag, forming folds. This problem is pronounced, for example, in people with Down syndrome.
- You wear dentures. If they are poorly selected, it can cause accumulation of saliva in the corners of the lips.
- You have thrush in your mouth.
- You suffer from tooth decay and gum disease. In this case, there may be more microbes in the mouth than desired.
- You have a viral infection affecting the oral cavity. Even an ordinary ARVI can provoke the appearance of angulitis.
- You are diabetic. With this disease, the skin becomes vulnerable to infections and immunity decreases.
- Your immune system is weakened. It can be a consequence of taking some drugs, chemotherapy and certain diseases, for example, HIV or AIDS.
- You are anemic. Researchers also associate it with an increased risk of angular cheilitis. It is assumed that iron deficiency can reduce immunity. Anemia is caused, among other things, by unbalanced nutrition or strict diets. Eating incorrectly - don't be surprised if you overeat.
- You are an elderly person. With age, facial muscles sag, folds form near the lips, and immunity becomes weaker.
You have an autoimmune disease. For example, lupus, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis.
How to treat chapped lips
It depends on what stage the angulita is at. If it is only about irritation, it is enough to get a hold of yourself and stop licking your lips, especially in the wind. An oily lip balm will also help. Lubricate the corners with it - this will prevent rapid loss of moisture and dangerous dryness of the skin.
As a rule, this form of angulitis passes within 2-3 days. If the irritation persists, becomes painful, peeling and swelling occur, a therapist or dermatologist will help you.
The doctor will find out what exactly caused the inflammation. If it is a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be prescribed, if it is fungal, an antifungal agent will be prescribed. In addition, the doctor may recommend a steroid-based ointment to reduce inflammation.
And, of course, an important role is played by lifestyle, which affects immunity. Proper nutrition, regular visits to the dentist, exercises for facial muscles - all this can reduce the risk of angulitis.
