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Initially, the corners of the mouth develop a gray-white thickening and adjacent erythema (redness). [2] Later, the usual appearance is a roughly triangular area of erythema, edema (swelling) and breakdown of skin at either corner of the mouth. [2] [4] The mucosa of the lip may become fissured (cracked), crusted, ulcerated or atrophied.
The inflammation may include the perioral skin (the skin around the mouth), the vermilion border, or the labial mucosa. [1] The skin and the vermilion border are more commonly involved, as the mucosa is less affected by inflammatory and allergic reactions. [1] Cheilitis is a general term, and there are many recognized types and different causes.
Angular cheilitis typically starts with a red dry patch on the corners of the mouth. It can be on one or both sides, with a dry, scaly appearance, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Rosacea. What it looks like: Rosacea causes redness and thick skin on the face, usually clustered in the center.Easy flushing, a stinging sensation, and small, pus-filled pimples are other common ...
Perioral dermatitis is a rash typically around the mouth, that spares the vermilion border. [10] Cheilitis glandularis may present with a burning sensation over the vermilion border. This chronic progressive condition is associated with thinning of the skin of the lips and ulceration. [11] Infections may involve the vermilion border.
The commissures (corners of the mouth) are not usually involved. [2] [6] Affected individuals may experience symptoms such as a dry sensation and cracking of the lips. [7] It is usually painless and persistent. The appearance is variable. White lesions indicate hyperkeratosis. [7]
The commissure is the corner of the mouth, where the vermillion border of the superior labium (upper lip) meets that of the inferior labium (lower lip). The commissure is important in facial appearance, particularly during some functions, including smiling. As such it is of interest to dental surgeons.
Rare reinfections occur inside the mouth (intraoral HSV stomatitis) affecting the gums, alveolar ridge, hard palate, and the back of the tongue, possibly accompanied by herpes labialis. [14] A lesion caused by herpes simplex can occur in the corner of the mouth and be mistaken for angular cheilitis of another cause.