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Everything in the body is interconnected, and not a single pathological process manifests itself localized, well, perhaps, except for small abrasions. Inflammation of the red border of the lips is no exception. Cheilitis in adults can be primary, that is, it can occur on its own or secondary – a symptom of other pathologies.
What is cheilitis
This is a collective term for a whole group of diseases that combine one thing – inflammation of the red border of the lips. In clinical practice, it is customary to distinguish several forms, which is why the symptoms of cheilitis in adults or children depend.
The inflammatory process can be long-term, persist for weeks, or either appear or disappear. By the way, cheilitis in adults often resolves on its own, but in the elderly or children it almost always requires medical treatment.
Important! Some forms of cheilitis are precancerous forms of inflammation.
Causes of cheilitis in adults
Causes and predisposing factors for development depend on the form of cheilitis in adults, whether it is a primary disease or a systemic symptom. In general, the following causes of cheilitis in adults can be distinguished:
- Dermatosis. In this case, this secondary disease is a symptom of lichen planus, psoriasis and numerous skin diseases.
- aggressive factors. Exposure to wind, UV rays, substances in cosmetics, etc.
- Allergic reactions. Allergic inflammation can be caused by components of cosmetics, some procedures, food, etc.
- Cheilitis, as a manifestation of other diseases. It can be neuritis of the facial nerve, hypovitaminosis. Cheilitis can also be the result of long-term medication, surgery, cosmetic procedures, such as shaping, lip tattooing, etc.
Symptoms of cheilitis in adults
The manifestations of the disease largely depend on its form.
Cheilitis on the background of endocrine diseases. In this case, the main symptom is dryness and the formation of deep cracks. In general, cheilitis is characterized by the following symptoms:
- burning;
- the formation of crusts on the lips;
- itching;
- in some cases, soreness;
- edema.
Glandular cheilitis. It is based on the change and inflammation of the small salivary glands. It is characterized by dry lips, which can be easily eliminated with the help of decorative and medical cosmetics. In the future, as it progresses, deep cracks appear, which can even bleed. The situation is complicated by the constant licking of the lips in order to moisten the red border.
Contact-allergic cheilitis. It develops after the action of the allergen. Cosmetics, toothpaste, etc. can provoke a reaction. The main symptoms in this case include:
- severe itching;
- burning;
- edema;
- redness of the red border and mucous.
With the systematic exposure to the allergen, bubbles form, after opening, ulcers and erosion appear.
Actinic cheilitis. It is also called meteorological and is based on increased sensitivity to natural and weather conditions. Consequently, symptoms are more likely to occur in strong winds, frost or scorching sun. The main symptoms are dryness, redness, in difficult cases, exudative forms develop with the formation of painful ulcers and erosions. And just this form, under a combination of circumstances, more often passes into oncopathology.
Atopic cheilitis. It is directly related to dermatitis of the same name, and the use of cosmetics, nutrition, infections and waste products of pathogens can provoke the appearance of symptoms. Typical manifestations are itching, peeling, redness, crusting, etc.
Macrochelitis. This is a special form of inflammation, which manifests itself against the background of neuritis of the facial nerve. Among the characteristic symptoms include an increase in the lips, itching, swelling of other parts of the face, a change in the shade of the lips. The lesion may affect one or both lips, spread to the cheeks and parts of the face.
Cheilitis with hypovitaminosis. The clinical picture in this case will depend on the deficiency of a particular vitamin. The main symptoms are peeling, cracking, swelling, redness.
Treatment of cheilitis in adults
The tactics of treating cheilitis in adults is determined by the form of the disease, the clinical picture and the patient’s condition. Local treatment consists in the use of laser, ultrasound therapy, less often it may be necessary to prescribe ointments or gels with anti-inflammatory activity.
With glandular cheilitis, the use of anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and hormonal ointments may be required. In difficult cases, surgical treatment is carried out – electrocoagulation of the salivary glands. Protective mode is recommended – the exclusion of all annoying factors.
Diagnostics
If symptoms of cheilitis appear in adults, you should consult a doctor. Diagnosis and treatment can be done by a therapist, dentist, dermatologist. Depending on the cause of inflammation, other specialists are included in the process of diagnosis and, accordingly, treatment: endocrinologists, infectious disease specialists, immunologists, etc.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of complaints, objective examination data and skin scrapings. Additionally, to find out the cause of the onset of symptoms of cheilitis in adults, the following are prescribed:
- allergy tests to identify the allergen;
- skin scraping to calculate the infectious component of the disease;
- a blood test to determine hypovitaminosis and the state of the hormonal background.
Modern treatments
To combat the dryness of the red border of the lips, cosmetics containing hyaluronic acid can be recommended, and for everyday care, use creams with an SPF filter. The course of treatment is supplemented with multivitamins.
Recently, laser therapy has gained great popularity, which provides treatment and prevention of possible complications.
Prevention of cheilitis in adults at home
It is especially important to adhere to the rules for the prevention of cheilitis at home in case of a predisposition to the disease and its complications: with food allergies or reactions to cosmetics, dermatosis, chronic endocrine diseases, in the presence of dentures. The rules are quite simple:
- regular visits to the dentist for oral health and preventive measures;
- timely replacement of old fillings, crowns, treatment of chips and smoothing of sharp edges;
- proper and nutritious nutrition for the prevention of hypovitaminosis;
- the use of sunscreen cosmetics, hygienic lipsticks, but all products must be hypoallergenic.
Popular questions and answers
Cheilitis is a serious and dangerous disease, without treatment and elimination of the cause of its appearance, inflammation of the red border of the lips can become malignant, that is, it becomes a precancerous condition. He will tell you about possible complications, alarming symptoms dentist Yulia Selyutina.