The Causes and Treatment of Cold Sores

Angular cheilitis, more commonly known as cold sores, is a painful and inflamed skin condition most commonly cause by a yeast infection. It appears as reddish and fissured patches at the junction of the upper and lower lips, that is, at the corners of the mouth. It can appear in one of the commissures or in both at the same time, although it is usually bilateral. We offer best products and services for Smile Makeover Dentist.

It usually occurs secondary to immune suppression, which can be local or systemic, including extremes of age, neonates and the elderly, immunocompromised diseases, and chronic use of steroids and systemic antibiotics.

These injuries are usually annoying and painful. Moisture due to the accumulation of saliva in the corners of the mouth favors the growth of the Candida fungus, which is one of its causes.

Causes Of Cold Sores

There are some habits that can contribute to the accumulation of saliva in the area and consequently the corners are permanently wet and chronic cold sores or angular cheilitis appear:

The Use Of Dentures

Continuously moisten the lips.

Biting The Corners

Facial wrinkles at the corners and along the nasolabial fold.

It is a common finding in patients who have lost multiple posterior teeth causing the bite to collapse and loss of the vertical dimension of the occlusion, so that the cheeks fold in on themselves at the corners.

Other Causes: Nutritional Deficits

Also see it in patients with nutritional deficiencies. Iron, folic acid, thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin B12 deficiencies are also risk factors related to the appearance of cold sores.

Oral sores can also appear when the lips are dry and chapped for any reason. Taking medications that cause oral dryness are also a risk factor for the appearance of these lesions.

Symptoms Of Cold Sores

Angular cheilitis or cold sores can cause the following symptoms and signs in the corners of the mouth:

• Painful cracks and fissures that worsen when opening the mouth
• Blisters, erosions, oozing, and crusting
• Redness and darkening of the skin
• Bleeding

If you need a specialist to check your cold sores, we recommend that you request a first free online appointment with one of our experts.

Origin Of Angular Cheilitis: Fungi And Cold Sores

It is important to differentiate cold sores caused by fungi from those produced by cold sores. The yeast infection only affects the corners of the mouth. Instead, cold sores can occur anywhere along the lip or lip line, and not usually in both corners of the mouth simultaneously.

Cold sores often begin with itching or pain that led to a cluster of small, painful blisters. Unlike angular cheilitis, cold sores are contagious. And can passed to another person through close contact. The herpes simplex virus causes cold sores. Which can treat with antiviral medications.

Significant Sores

The diagnosis of cold sore make clinically based on the clinical history and examination. Culture of samples taken from the corners of the mouth can reveal the presence of the candida fungus, but also infection by staphylococcus aureus and herpes simplex (cold sores). Skin biopsy is usually not necessary.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Cold Sores

• In most cases, do not need specific treatment, resolving on its own in a short time.
• As general measures, it is worth noting maintaining good general hydration, using thick lip balm applying it frequently and using topical antiseptics to avoid superinfections.
• As specific measures, depending on the cause, oral and topical treatment options will depend on the main origin.
• It is important that the doctor or dentist correctly diagnose the cause of the infection, since fungal infections, for example, will not respond to antibiotics.
• In most cases, you can tell if the infection is bacterial or due to a fungus by looking at the affected area. Also taking a sample from the corner of the mouth and performing a culture can establish the growth of fungi, bacteria, or viruses.

And Also these:

• Depending on the results, the doctor or dentist will prescribe a topical antibiotic for 1-2 weeks, antifungal medication applied to the corners of the mouth 3 times a day for 2 weeks, or an oral antiviral medication.
• In combination with antimicrobial treatment, a low-dose topical corticosteroid may also prescribe if the skin is significantly inflamed to help reduce swelling and aid in lesion healing.
• If they do not go away on their own, they are usually curable and rarely cause scarring or permanent skin pigmentation. Usually see lesion improvement within the first few days of treatment and usually resolves within two weeks.
• The repeated appearance of angular cheilitis or cold sores is common. Especially in those cases where not correct the risk factors.
• Avoid sucking on the area and not allow saliva to settle in the corners of your mouth. Should keep the area clean and dry at all times.
• Rectifying ill-fitting dentures and correcting a malocclusion will help prevent the appearance of cold sores from recurring.

Conclusion

Injectable fillers such as collagen or hyaluronic acid can also help keep drooping lips smooth. Raising the corners and consequently preventing folds from occurring where saliva accumulation is more prone.

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