Angular Cheilitis in Teens – How is it Any Different?

A large number of teens are affected by angular cheilitis all the time; yet, there’s still an appalling amount of ignorance about the condition. Most people think that the angular cheilitis that happens in young people is of a same nature as that which occurs in older people. Due to this gross misunderstanding, even the treatment methods used for teenagers and for older people are usually the same. However, the fact is that angular cheilitis is different from one person to another, based on their age. This difference is found in the causes and symptoms and even the method of treatment used for the condition.

Angular Cheilitis in Teens-The Causes

When angular cheilitis occurs in teens, the causes are usually a poor diet or some lifestyle conditions. It can happen if the diet of the person is lacking in vitamins B1 and B12 and iron, all of which are very important to keep this condition at bay. It can also happen due to some habits such as constantly wetting the lips with saliva or exposing them constantly to the hot sun. Nowadays, teenage stress is a prevalent problem; teenagers who are affected by it may also suffer from cheilitis sooner or later.

This is quite opposed to the causes of angular cheilitis in older people. Most people of an advanced age who get this condition get it as an offshoot of some health-related condition such as Crohn’s Disease or thrush, or they get it because of simple reasons such as losing teeth and poorly-fitting dentures.

The Symptoms

The symptoms of this condition in teenagers are different from its symptoms in older people. When teenagers get this condition, the commonly observed symptoms are:-
1. Chapped lips
2. Formation of lesions, especially around the corners of the mouth
3. Lips becoming sore, especially at the corners
4. Cracks or splits in the oral area, mainly at the corners and in the inside of the lips-these cracks or splits soon become painful
5. Bleeding, which mostly increases whenever the mouth is opened or closed.

The Treatment

Treatment of angular cheilitis in teens is much simpler than in older people because of their stronger immune system. Dietary corrections supplement the treatment. Also, eliminating stress helps.

There are several medications available for the treatment of chapped lips, as this condition is usually referred to as, and these medications are mostly effective in teenagers. Home remedies that one can find on the Internet can also be helpful. It is only in some cases that serious medical intervention is needed to treat this condition in young people.