Warning issued to anyone who thinks they have ‘chapped lips’ as the weather turns colder

A dentist has cautioned those who have chapped lips that there may be an underlying infection that requires treatment.

Shorter daylight hours, the flu, and dry or chapped lips are just a few of the difficulties that come with winter. Some people discover that their lips stay consistently dry even after applying lip balm frequently.

The proprietor of Orange and Magnolia Dental Studio in California, Dr. Joyce Kahng, provided explanations on why this occurs. She clarified that the cold weather might not be the only cause after responding to a video showing a man with sores at the corners of his mouth. It can be a fungal infection instead.

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According to Dr. Kahng, who goes by @joycethedentist on Instagram, “this could actually be angular cheilitis.” “Yeast and bacteria can penetrate the cracked corners of the mouth and cause an infection,” she explained. Chapstick doesn’t address the underlying reason, which explains why it doesn’t fix the problem.

Candida yeast and Staph bacteria were the two primary culprits that Dr. Kahng found. Thankfully, she also offered two fixes.

“Over-the-counter Clotrimazole can help if yeast is the reason. Prescription antibiotic ointment is required for bacterial infections. “Use Vaseline instead of chapstick to seal everything,” she said.

She also cautioned against the tendency of licking the corners of the mouth, which is common among those who have dry lips. According to Dr. Kahng, “people believe saliva re-moisturizes the area, but it actually makes the dryness worse.”

An increased prevalence of chronic angular cheilitis may be a sign of underlying medical disorders, such as iron or vitamin B12 deficiency.

Lip balm may be adequate for people who are generally dry throughout the winter months. Addressing a potential infection, however, may offer long-term relief if the issue persists.

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