Angular Cheilitis and Exfoliative Cheilitis are not the same thing

Angular Cheilitis symptoms are red and cracked corners of the mouth that can be mild or quite severe.

Exfoliative Cheilitis is severe peeling of the lips of which I know little about.

ANGULAR CHEILITIS is typically a yeast infection in the mouth and is in the saliva. The saliva collects in the corners of the mouth (typically while sleeping) and irritates the area around the corners of the mouth. Nystatin ointment (costs $4 at Walmart and Sams Club) that can be prescibed by a dentist or physician works quite well. Apply to the mouth corners a few times a day and at bedtime. Try sleeping on your back instead of your side to reduce drooling, etc. It's also important to do everything possible to reduce the bacteria in the mouth such as flossing daily; keeping all dental work (bridges, dentures, partials, etc.) very clean; and occasionally rinsing the mouth out with salt water (I prefer Sea Salt over table salt .

I can't say I know what caused my angular cheilitis. Not sure if it's related, but I got it while battling some sinus problems. My physician said it can sometimes be caused by diabetes, but I checked out ok for that.

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