Fungal Infection on Lips


The lips are two fleshy folds of tissue that surround our mouth. These are very sensitive due to their tactile nature. Lips are very sensitive to cold, warmth and touch. Our lips are a prominent facial feature, so a fungal infection on the lips can make you feel very unpleasant and self-conscious. So it is better to prevent such infections from affecting your lips.

Candidiasis is a fungal infection that can slowly invade your lips, starting from inside the mouth. The infection caused by this Fungi is also termed as thrust. Candida yeast is a fungus that grows vigorously in moist and warm conditions. Plasta Cheilitis is a medical condition when Candida yeast grows on the lips. To some level, the growth of the yeast is controlled by certain microorganisms and bacteria in our body. The outgrowth of Candida yeast occurs when imbalance develops. This imbalance may be due to stress or certain illness in the body. Smokers are more vulnerable to this infection. The lesions when not treated properly can spread to the esophagus. People who have diabetes and those with artificial teeth and other dental appliances that are placed in the missing teeth gap, are prone to Candida yeast. Inflammation, cracking supplemented with vulnerable pain in the corners of the lips are experienced by people who are infected by this yeast.

Angular Cheilitis which is also known as Perleche and angular stomatisis is also a fungal infection that develops on the lips. It is a disorder of the lips, causing fissures and scaling at the corners of the mouth. It is caused due to Riboflavin Deficiency. Riboflavin is A B vitamin that precludes skin lesions. Usually, Angular Cheilitis can be treated with antimyotic agents and other antifungal creams or ointments such as Mycolog II. People living in cold regions are more prone to angular stomatisis. It is treated by removal of chronic infection.

Symptoms
  • White plaques and sores in the corner of the mouth
  • Burning and itching sensation
  • Elevation of the skin with serous fluid causing blisters and bumps on the lips
  • lack of moisture content on the lips
  • Redness and swelling of the lips. This symptom may be due to bacterial infection also
Causes
  • Wearing dentures
  • Snuff and alcohol consumption
  • Exposure to abrasive climatic conditions
  • Often licking the lips during infection period assuming that would help or make you feel good. In fact it makes the condition of your lips worse
  • Lack of vitamins such as Vitamin E, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B12 and iron deficiency.
  • Poor nutrition
  • Ischemia (Condition in which blood flow to the lip is insufficient)
  • Applying toxic chemicals in the form of lip sticks, lip gloss, lip balms etc.,
Remedies
  • Drink plenty of water as it stimulates saliva secretion.
  • Take proper care of your teeth and avoid biting your lips as they may be a cause for the fungus to spread.
  • Avoid Spicy food as it may aggravate Paraesthesia. Sugar is a good medium for the growth of Candida yeast infection. So it is better to avoid much sugar intake. Otherwise proper mouthwash after sugar consumption may also help.
  • Golden Seal and Tea tree oil has antifungal properties. Applying it on the infected lips can palliate the contagion in few days.
  • Castor oil can also be applied on the lips as it has therapeutic properties.
Nystatic cream, Clotrimazole (having brand names Canesten or Lotrimin), Betamethasone dipropionate creams are mostly advised by doctors to cure the infection. Some of the lesions that occur on the lips are contagious. So keep up good hygienic practices and avoid spreading the infection to others. A fungal infection on the lips may also be due to incompetent immune system. So, good nutritious food should be consumed in order to combat such fungal infections.

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