What is the difference between cheilosis and cheilitis?
Unfortunately, cheilosis and cheilitis are often used interchangeably (as in the hybrid term, “angular
cheilosis”), thus generating a bit of confusion. They should be distinguished as follows:
Cheilosis (cheilos, lip in Greek) is reddening and cracking of one or both angles of the mouth—hence,
the term of angular cheilosis, or angular stomatitis. This is usually encountered in edentulous patients
with ill-fitting dentures, where it is caused by recurrent leakage of saliva, maceration of
surrounding tissues (hence, the French term perlèche, excessive licking), and superimposed infection by
endogenous organisms. These include Candida for patients with dentures and S. aureus for dentate
individuals. Concomitant nutritional deficiencies (such as B12, pyridoxine, riboflavin, or folate) as well
as HIV, iron deficiency anemia. and Plummer-Vinson syndrome, also may contribute to its development.
Cheilitis results instead from accelerated tissue degeneration, usually from excessive exposure to
wind, especially sunlight (actinic cheilitis). It is characterized by dry scaling of the lips with painful
vertical fissures. These are typically perpendicular to the vermilion border and tend to predominate in the
lower lip. Cheilitis is a risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma, and also an early sign of Crohn’s disease.
Causes are ultraviolet radiation and the same nutritional deficiencies previously listed. Prevention
includes use of sun blockers in lipstick and balm.
Unfortunately, cheilosis and cheilitis are often used interchangeably (as in the hybrid term, “angular
cheilosis”), thus generating a bit of confusion. They should be distinguished as follows:
Cheilosis (cheilos, lip in Greek) is reddening and cracking of one or both angles of the mouth—hence,
the term of angular cheilosis, or angular stomatitis. This is usually encountered in edentulous patients
with ill-fitting dentures, where it is caused by recurrent leakage of saliva, maceration of
surrounding tissues (hence, the French term perlèche, excessive licking), and superimposed infection by
endogenous organisms. These include Candida for patients with dentures and S. aureus for dentate
individuals. Concomitant nutritional deficiencies (such as B12, pyridoxine, riboflavin, or folate) as well
as HIV, iron deficiency anemia. and Plummer-Vinson syndrome, also may contribute to its development.
Cheilitis results instead from accelerated tissue degeneration, usually from excessive exposure to
wind, especially sunlight (actinic cheilitis). It is characterized by dry scaling of the lips with painful
vertical fissures. These are typically perpendicular to the vermilion border and tend to predominate in the
lower lip. Cheilitis is a risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma, and also an early sign of Crohn’s disease.
Causes are ultraviolet radiation and the same nutritional deficiencies previously listed. Prevention
includes use of sun blockers in lipstick and balm.