People with chapped lips have been warned by a dentist that there might be an underlying infection that needs to be treated.
Winter presents a number of challenges, including less daylight hours, the flu, and dry or chapped lips. Even after using lip balm frequently, some people find that their lips remain continuously dry.
Dr. Joyce Kahng, the owner of Orange and Magnolia Dental Studio in California, explained why this happens. After reacting to a video that showed a man with sores in the corners of his lips, she explained that the cold weather might not be the sole reason. Instead, it can be a fungal infection.
Dr. Kahng, who uses the Instagram handle @joycethedentist, claims that “this could actually be angular cheilitis.” She clarified that “bacteria and yeast can enter the mouth through the cracked corners and cause an infection.” Chapstick fails to solve the issue because it fails to address the root cause.
Dr. Kahng identified two main culprits: Staph germs and Candida yeast. Fortunately, she also provided two solutions.
“Over-the-counter If yeast is the cause, clotrimazole may be helpful. For bacterial infections, prescription antibiotic ointment is necessary. “To seal everything, use Vaseline instead of chapstick,” she said.
She also warned against the widespread habit of licking the corners of the mouth by those with dry lips. “People think saliva re-moisturizes the area, but it actually makes the dryness worse,” Dr. Kahng said.
Chronic angular cheilitis is more common, which could indicate underlying medical conditions including iron or vitamin B12 insufficiency.
For those who are typically dry throughout the winter, lip balm might be sufficient. If the problem continues, however, treating a possible infection might provide long-term relief.
