If you have a whitish sore on both sides in the corners of your mouth, then you have what is called a perleche, or angular cheilitis, angular cheilosis, or angular stomatitis. The condition is not uncommon among young children and the elderly. It's not fatal nor contagious, but they can be very uncomfortable and painful when there is even little movement or opening of the lips, especially when the cracks become deep slits and ulcerated.
This dire and persistent affliction affects many countless Americans every year, with most of whom suffer in silence. Victims of perleche often delay getting treatment for no other explainable reason except that most think it's just a minor type of skin irritation that will just go away by itself, and therefore seek no medical advice or treatment. Aside from being painful to have, it is rather unsightly as well since the sores are right on the face for the entire world to see. Concealing them with makeup and other harsh cosmetics isn't advisable and is a recipe for another major disaster waiting to happen.
If this condition is left untreated for some period of time, it can develop into a possible oral yeast infection called Candida (oral thrush) which is highly contagious, and poses a major health risk to the sufferer. You'll know when Perleche has metamorphosed into this dangerous condition when your tongue turns whitish in color accompanied by a thick coating.
Although the jury is still out on what really causes perleche, medical research has pinpointed some other probable and factual reasons. It has been traced to deficiencies in the mineral iron and the B vitamins, which are vital sources of nutrients needed for the oxygenation of the blood supply to all major organs and muscles, and for the immune system and regeneration of cells of the skin, hair, eyes, and muscles.
Perleche also often appears during a cold spell, or during wintertime when most individuals are highly susceptible to various illnesses and diseases due to a weakened immune system. It's a very persistent condition but can be cured successfully by supplementing on B vitamins and iron, if the recommended diet cannot be maintained in a daily basis. People who have diabetes mellitus, and hypothyroidism are also candidates for perleche.
It may not be a harmful condition, but it's always prudent for every one's benefit to consult a specialist immediately just to be sure.
This dire and persistent affliction affects many countless Americans every year, with most of whom suffer in silence. Victims of perleche often delay getting treatment for no other explainable reason except that most think it's just a minor type of skin irritation that will just go away by itself, and therefore seek no medical advice or treatment. Aside from being painful to have, it is rather unsightly as well since the sores are right on the face for the entire world to see. Concealing them with makeup and other harsh cosmetics isn't advisable and is a recipe for another major disaster waiting to happen.
If this condition is left untreated for some period of time, it can develop into a possible oral yeast infection called Candida (oral thrush) which is highly contagious, and poses a major health risk to the sufferer. You'll know when Perleche has metamorphosed into this dangerous condition when your tongue turns whitish in color accompanied by a thick coating.
Although the jury is still out on what really causes perleche, medical research has pinpointed some other probable and factual reasons. It has been traced to deficiencies in the mineral iron and the B vitamins, which are vital sources of nutrients needed for the oxygenation of the blood supply to all major organs and muscles, and for the immune system and regeneration of cells of the skin, hair, eyes, and muscles.
Perleche also often appears during a cold spell, or during wintertime when most individuals are highly susceptible to various illnesses and diseases due to a weakened immune system. It's a very persistent condition but can be cured successfully by supplementing on B vitamins and iron, if the recommended diet cannot be maintained in a daily basis. People who have diabetes mellitus, and hypothyroidism are also candidates for perleche.
It may not be a harmful condition, but it's always prudent for every one's benefit to consult a specialist immediately just to be sure.
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Not many things are more frustrating thanangular cheilitis. Click to learn more about cheilitis.
