Angular Cheilitis (also known as Perleche, Cheilosis, or Angular Stomatitis) is a skin affliction that affects many people. This is especially true in the winter. Manifesting as cracks, lesions, redness and even bleeding in the corners of the mouth and the surrounding skin area, it is a painful condition that nobody should have to suffer from as it is highly preventable!





There are a usually a few different factors working together to cause Angular Cheilitis. The first, and perhaps most important element, is diet and nutrition. The state of your skin can generally be seen as a reflection of your overall health and what’s going on internally. A condition like Angular Cheilitis is often your body’s way of telling you there are some important nutritional requirements not being met.





Ensuring that you are consuming a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is the best way to prevent Angular Cheilitis. A daily multi-vitamin can also be beneficial.





Too much sugar in your diet can encourage the growth of yeast (candida). Yeast feeds off of sugar, which can disturb the natural balance in your body and lead to yeast infections such as oral thrush. It is important to limit your sugar intake to prevent this from occurring.





Consuming sugar-free acidophilus yogurt can help to populate your body with good bacteria and help fight yeast infections.





The second thing to remember is that chapped lips can often lead to Angular Cheilitis. Cracks in the lips and skin can be the ideal place for bacteria or fungal infections to settle in and start breeding. This is why it’s so important to make sure you drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated.





Keep your lips protected with lip balm when: