Cheilitis

Cheilitis is a general term for inflammation of the lips, which can be acute or chronic, with various causes and manifestations. The disease affects the red border of the lips and/or the skin around them, and can lead to dryness, cracking, peeling, redness and pain.
Forms of cheilitis

**1. Actinic cheilitis:**
- Caused by chronic UV exposure, most often in middle-aged and elderly men
- Precancerous condition affecting the lower lip
- Symptoms: dryness, atrophy, whitish spots, coarsening of the red border

**2. Exfoliative cheilitis: (cheilitis sicca)
- Mostly associated with external stimuli
It can be contact. It occurs upon contact with irritating or allergenic substances – lipsticks, toothpastes, balms, foods, musical instruments

**3. Angular cheilite
- Inflammation and cracking in the corners of the lips
- Often associated with Candida, bacteria, or malnutrition

Causes and predisposing factors
- Exposure to sun and wind
- Licking lips, dry skin
- Use of cosmetics or irritating products
- Dentures, orthodontic appliances
- Infections (incl. Candida, HSV)
- Nutritional deficiencies

Diagnosis
- Usually diagnosed by clinical examination
- If allergy is suspected – patch testing
- Microbiological examination in case of suspected infection
- Biopsy – in case of chronic actinic cheilitis or suspected malignant degeneration

Treatment
**General measures:**
- Avoiding irritating factors (cosmetics, foods, habits)
- Hydrate lips with unscented balms
- Photoprotection for actinic cheilitis

**Medication treatment (according to form):**
- Topical corticosteroids – for inflammatory forms
- Antibiotics/antimycotics – for infectious cheilitis
- Calcineurin inhibitors - in chronic or resistant forms
- Systemic vitamins and nutritional supplements – for deficiencies