Angular cheilitis - Cheilosis

Angular cheilitis
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Angular cheilitis (also called perlèche, cheilosis or angular stomatitis) is an inflammatory lesion at the labial commissure, or corner of the mouth, and often occurs bilaterally. The condition manifests as deep cracks or splits. In severe cases, the splits can bleed when the mouth is opened and shallow ulcers or a crust may form.

Although the disease has an unknown etiology, the sores of angular cheilitis may become infected by the fungus Candida albicans (thrush), or other pathogens. Studies have linked the initial onset with nutritional deficiencies, namely riboflavin[1] vitamin B2[2] and iron deficiency anemia,[2] which in turn may be evidence of poor diets or malnutrition (e.g. celiac disease). Zinc deficiency has also been associated with angular cheilitis.[citation needed]

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Footnotes
1. ^ MedlinePlus (2005-08-01). "Riboflavin (vitamin B2) deficiency (ariboflavinosis)". National Institutes of Health.
2. ^ a b Lu S, Wu H (2004). "Initial diagnosis of anemia from sore mouth and improved classification of anemias by MCV and RDW in 30 patients". Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 98 (6): 679–85. doi:10.1016/j.tripleo.2004.01.006. PMID 15583540.

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