Cheilitis

What is cheilitis?

Cheilitis is the term used to describe inflamed lips.

Types of cheilitis

The lips can be inflamed because of an infection or skin condition:

• Angular cheilitis
• Granulomatous cheilitis
• Orofacial granulomatosis
• Crohn skin disease
• Solar cheilitis
• Exfoliative cheilitis

They may be inflamed because of an allergy, toxin, medication or injury.

• Eczematous cheilitis
• Allergic contact cheilitis
• Pigmented contact cheilitis
• Cheilitis in musicians
• Contact reactions to lipsticks and other lipcare products
• Irritant contact dermatitis
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Smoking and its effects on the skin
• Sunburn
• Isotretinoin treatment
• Acitretin treatment
• Denture stomatitis

Nutritional deficiency can also lead to cheilitis.

• Iron deficiency
• Vitamin B deficiency

How is the diagnosis made?

Cheilitis is usually diagnosed by taking a careful history and by clinical examination. Swabs for infections including candida and a biopsy may be required.

Treatment

Treatment of cheilitis depends on the cause. However, soothing emollient lip balms and sunscreens are usually recommended.