Chapped lips are easy to deal with–just apply adequate amounts of lip balm and petroleum jelly and the dry feeling on your lips will go away. But angular cheilitis is an entirely different matter altogether. Angular cheilitis, known also as angular stomatitis and perleche, manifests as lesions, an itchy rash, or inflammation at the corners of the mouth; in more serious cases, angular cheilitis causes deep cracks or breakages in the skin, and these cracks can bleed when the mouth is opened. If left untreated, pus can develop in these cracks or the cracks can turn into ulcerations.

The condition lasts from a few days and even up to a few months, depending on whether or not the person affected seeks treatment. So you must choose the right angular cheilitis treatment involves learning what exactly caused it. Angular cheilitis treatment is a necessity even if the condition is still in its early stages, because the rashes can become easily infected by bacteria or fungi. One form of treatment for angular cheilitis is to take vitamin B1 and B12 supplements; the infection is said to appear as a result of the body’s deficiency in these vitamins, and an intake of these vitamin can help stem the pain and irritation.

Good oral health practices are also part of angular cheilitis treatment. If you wear dentures, make sure that they fit you properly because ill-fitting ones can cause or worsen angular cheilitis. Dentures that don’t fit well may cause the corners of the mouth to droop. Keeping your dentures properly cleaned is also important in preventing further infection. Don’t forget to avoid substances that could cause your mouth further discomfort, such as orange juice; its acid can cause pain to the affected area.

Your doctor is also a good source of information on angular cheilitis treatment. It is likely that he or she will recommend applying topical antifungals to the affected area, but be sure to observe the effects on your condition. In some cases, people actually turn to plastic surgery to treat their angular cheilitis. This type of surgery involves removing the skin that droops at the corners of the mouth.

The right time for you to get angular cheilitis treatment is when it starts and not when it has gotten worse. That way, you won’t need to turn to more drastic measures and you won’t have to suffer for a long time.