Why does cheilitis occur on the lips? Photos and the causes of this ailment will be discussed below. You will also learn how the disease manifests itself and whether it can be treated.
Basic information
Lip diseases can be different. Some of them do not require any treatment. Although there are also such diseases that require a mandatory visit to a doctor.
What is cheilitis on the lips (a photo of this pathological phenomenon is presented in this article)? According to experts, this is an inflammatory lesion of the lips of a benign nature.
In modern medicine, there are 2 groups of cheilitis:
- symptomatic;
- actually cheiliti.
The last group combines independent lip diseases, which can have a different origin. These include diseases such as contact cheilitis, glandular, actinic and meteorological. Also in this group includes exfoliative cheilitis.
As for symptomatic diseases, these include lip lesions, which are symptoms of various somatic diseases, as well as diseases of the skin and oral mucosa. This group includes eczematous cheilitis, atopic and macroheilitis.
What is exfoliative cheilitis?
Different types of the disease in question manifest themselves in different ways. Exfoliative cheilitis is a chronic disease. With its development, only the red border of the lips is affected.
Such a pathological phenomenon was first described in 1900. In those days, this disease was called "persistent desquamation of the lips."
Most often, exfoliative cheilitis occurs in the fair sex at the age of 22-40 years.
Development reasons
Why does a disease such as cheilitis develop? The causes of this ailment have not been fully studied. However, most specialists who deal with this problem believe that the disease in question has a direct relationship with neurogenic factors. This theory arose on the basis that patients with cheilitis often suffer from psychoemotional diseases.
There is direct evidence that there is a definite connection between pathologies of the thyroid gland and exfoliative cheilitis. It should also be noted that a person may have a genetic predisposition to the development of this form of the disease.
An important factor in the appearance of cheilitis is the condition of the patient's immune system. After all, it is precisely the decrease in the body's defenses that contributes to the rapid launch of many pathological processes.
The main symptoms of the disease
In medical practice, it is customary to distinguish 2 forms of exfoliative cheilitis:
The red border of the lips with such a disease is affected first. Pathological changes are a kind of tape that stretches from one corner of the mouth to another. It should be noted that the corners of the mouth and the part of the border that is adjacent to the skin are not affected. Also, the considered form of the disease does not affect the integument and mucous membranes of the mouth.
Signs of dry form
How is dry exfoliative cheilitis manifested? This disease is characterized by congestive hyperemia on the lips. At the same time, mica-like, dry and almost transparent scales with a tan or gray color are formed in the affected area.
Lips with such cheilitis constantly peel off and become dry. In the process of scraping, the scales are easily removed, and under them a bright red surface of the red border is formed, which is again covered with scales a few days later.
Dry exfoliative cheilitis is a rather long-term illness, not prone to self-healing or remission. Sometimes this form of the disease becomes exudative.
Symptoms of exudative form
The exudative form of cheilitis is characterized by the development of an inflammatory process on the lips, as well as redness, pain and swelling.
In the area of the red border (except for the corners of the mouth and adjacent skin) a large number of scales and crusts of yellowish-gray or brown color are formed. They are a continuous layer that stretches from one corner of the mouth to the other.
In some cases, these crusts become so large that they literally begin to hang from the lips. When removed, the hyperemic surface of the red border is immediately exposed.
With this form of the disease, patients complain of a burning sensation and pain in the lips when they close, which complicates the process of eating and talking. In this regard, such people very often keep their mouth ajar.
Experts call the cause of exudative phenomena an increase in the permeability of capillaries. With conservative treatment, the exudative form can quite easily transform into a dry one.
Treatment methods
Does exfoliative cheilitis respond to treatment? Most experts answer this question in the affirmative. But at the same time, they stipulate that the therapy of such a disease should be combined and vary depending on the form of the disease (dry or exudative).
So where should treatment begin? The impact on the mental state of the patient is not only important, but also a mandatory point in the treatment of exfoliative cheilitis.
To eliminate defects in the psycho-emotional sphere, dentists usually prescribe tranquilizers such as Phenazepam and Sibazon, as well as antipsychotics in the form of Thioridazine.
As you know, people with a dry form of cheilitis often have a depressive state. In this regard, they may be prescribed antidepressants (for example, “Melipramine” or “Amitriptyline”). Local exposure to sores is also required. To lubricate the affected areas of the lips, creams such as Delight or Spermaceti are used. In addition, various lipsticks can be used .
To find out whether the development of this disease is associated with impaired thyroid function, you need to visit an endocrinologist, as well as pass all the necessary tests.
In order to stop the signs of exudative form, some experts recommend the use of complex therapy, which includes the influence of border rays - “Bucca radiation”. Before starting such a session, all scales and peels should be removed from the red border of the lips with a solution of boric acid.
It is advisable to combine exposure to rays with drugs that increase the reactivity of the body (Pyrogenal).
People with an exudative form of cheilitis are required to carry out at least 3 courses of combined treatment with an interval of 7.5-8 months.
To eliminate all the symptoms of inflammation in this disease, the reflexology method is also actively used.