A known treatment to get rid of angular cheilitis in its early stage is the application of a topical antibiotic to the inflammation at the corner of the mouth so as to cure the infection and heal the lesions.
Angular cheilitis is caused by a bacteria by is commonly considered as a fungal infection. It can also be caused by medications for the drying of the skin, excessive intake of vitamin A supplements and the consumption of large amount of liver including cod liver oil and other fish oils.
Nutritional deficiencies as iron deficiency and vitamin B complex deficiency can also result to angular cheilitis.
It is very evident from the above causes that to get rid of angular cheilitis, you must avoid unprescribed or unrecommended usage of medications for drying the skin.
You must also remember to moderately consume liver, liver oil and other fish oils to avoid angular cheilitis. You must eat foods which will give you enough iron and supplements of vitamin of B complex.
Over the counter antifungal creams such as clotrimazole can be used to get rid of angular cheilitis, in particular, minor cases caused by bacterial infection. The use of petroleum jelly to get rid of angular cheilitis is the worst thing to do since petroleum jelly, which is a hydrophilic, sucks the moisture of the skin where it is applied, worsening the problem and making the problem linger.
Chronic angular cheilitis is usually defined by perioral erythema with cracking, fissuring and superficial ulceration that is evident at the corners or commissures of the mouth.
This chronic stage of the disease can be quite painful if left untreated. Angular cheilitis is also known as a chronic yeast infection that will just go away. However, mouth dryness, medication, dentures and air conditioning may adversely affect the recovery time.
Angular cheilitis can also be a symptom of anorexia nervosa and/or bulimia nervosa both of which is related to malnutrition, and as a side effect of constant vomiting.
Angular cheilitis happen frequently in the elderly who experience a loss of vertical dimension mainly due to the reduction of teeth which allows for the over closure of the mouth. The skin is made to fold adjacent the angle of the mouth kept moist by saliva which results into an infection mostly by Candida albicans or similar species.
This problem can be cured through the application of topical nystatin or similar antifungal agents. Another treatment can be to correct the jaw relationship with dental treatment.