Factors Participating in the Occurrence of Inflammation of the Lips (Cheilitis) and Perioral Skin

Abstract

Lip inflammation may manifest as mainly reversible cheilitis, mainly irreversible, or cheilitis connected to dermatoses or systemic diseases. Therefore, knowing a patient’s medical history is important, especially whether their lip lesions are temporary, recurrent, or persistent. Sometimes temporary contributing factors, such as climate and weather conditions, can be identified and avoided—exposure to extreme weather conditions (e.g., dry, hot, or windy climates) may cause or trigger lip inflammation. Emotional and psychological stress are also mentioned in the etiology of some lip inflammations (e.g., exfoliative cheilitis) and may be associated with nervous habits such as lip licking. To better manage cheilitis, it is also helpful to look for potential concomitant comorbidities and the presence of related diseases/conditions. Some forms of cheilitis accompany dermatologic or systemic diseases (lichen, pemphigus or pemphigoid, erythema multiforme, lupus, angioedema, xerostomia, etc.) that should be uncovered. Occasionally, lip lesions are persistent and involve histological changes: actinic cheilitis, granulomatous cheilitis, glandular cheilitis, and plasmacellular cheilitis. Perioral skin inflammation with simultaneous perioral dermatitis can have various causes: the use of corticosteroids and cosmetics, dysfunction of the skin’s epidermal barrier, a contact reaction to allergens or irritants (e.g., toothpaste, dental fillings), microorganisms (e.g., Demodex spp., Candida albicans, fusiform bacteria), hormonal changes, or an atopic predisposition. Epidermal barrier dysfunction can worsen perioral dermatitis lesions and can also be related to secondary vitamin or mineral deficiencies (e.g., zinc deficiency), occlusive emollient use, sunscreen use, or excessive exposure to environmental factors such as heat, wind, and ultraviolet light. Current trends in research are uncovering valuable information concerning the skin microbiome and disruption of the epidermal barrier of persons suffering from perioral dermatitis. Ultimately, an effective approach to patient management must take all these factors and new research into account.

Perceived Stress, Salivary Cortisol, and Temperament Traits among Students of Dental Medicine: A Prospective and Interventional Study

“…Understanding the impact of AS on the organism and the complex relationship of stress-induced interactions between psychological and neuroimmunological factors can help identify students who are prone to AS. If they can be identified early on in their studies, they can be introduced to healthy coping methods before the possible onset of PNE changes that contribute to the development of stress-associated conditions (e.g., cardiovascular, autoimmune, and other diseases) [81][82][83][84]. According to the literature data so far, this population is susceptible to stress even after graduation, and therefore it is important to educate them on how to reduce the impact of stress on the body [21].…”

The Impact of Vitamin Deficiencies on Oral Manifestations in Children

“…These findings underscore Research by Khan et al [102] and Liu et al [103] highlighted the prevalence of haematinic deficiencies in patients with RAS, with significant reductions observed in serum folic acid and B12 levels. Consequently, inflammation of the lips and perioral skin can often be linked to nutritional deficiencies, including B12 and sideropenic anemia, which are implicated in the etiology of exfoliative cheilitis [104,105]. These findings underscore the importance of evaluating vitamin and mineral status in patients presenting with inflammation of the lips, perioral skin, or oral cavity, particularly in persistent cases.…”

Acne-like Eruptions: Disease Features and Differential Diagnosis

“…Furthermore, epidermal barrier dysfunction can exacerbate PD. The occurrence of lesions may additionally be associated with secondary deficiencies of vitamins or minerals, the use of sunscreen, and excessive exposure to environmental factors such as wind and heat (Figure 2) [30]. The choice of treatment is contingent upon the state and extent of the disease.…”