Angular Cheilitis

Angular cheilitis is an inflammation that appears at the corners of the lips, where the skin becomes red, cracks and can form small fissures or crusts.

Common causes: moisture accumulated at the corners of the mouth, fungal or bacterial infections, nutritional deficiencies and certain skin irritations.

Common symptoms: burning, a feeling of tightness, painful cracks when opening the mouth and, at times, scaling.

When to see a doctor? When the discomfort persists, recurs frequently or makes it hard to eat and speak. The general practitioner can assess the condition and, if there is a connection to the respiratory tract or oral cavity, the otolaryngologist provides a complementary perspective. The wisest thing is to let a professional identify the cause before trying remedies on your own.