Eczema in the corner of the mouth
definition
Corner of the mouth eczema is a poorly healing, long-lasting inflammation in the area of the corner of the mouth. Often there is a scaly change and reddening of the skin. In addition to smaller cracks, skin defects (erosions or ulcerations) develop on the surface to deeper.
Causes of eczema in the corner of the mouth
There are a number of reasons for the development or occurrence of corner of the mouth eczema.
A common cause is excessive saliva production (Hypersalivation); the excessive amounts of saliva run into the corner of the mouth and trigger the eczema. At the same time, there is often damage to the corners of the mouth from dry skin.
Read more on the topic: Dry corners of the mouth
This hypersalivation can be promoted by constant and excessive chewing of chewing tobacco or gum. Often this also occurs in older people who are known to have problems with their teeth.
For example, if posterior teeth are missing and there are no replacements; this results in a non-natural or incomplete lip closure. In the same way, badly fitting teeth can lead to eczema at the corner of the mouth. Eczema is often found at the corner of the mouth in people with poor lip closure on the side of their face on which they sleep.
Furthermore, licking the corners of the mouth can cause eczema there.
An additional factor in the development of eczema in older people is often that they also suffer from type II diabetes. As a result, there is generally a poorer blood circulation and a weaker immune system, both of which can promote the formation of eczema.
Another reason may be reaction to Allergens be in food or in everyday life. If there is eczema at the corner of the mouth, it should be checked whether the patient is possibly on the Toothpaste or Facial care products responds.
A common allergic reaction occurs to nickel. A touch with nickel can for example when chewing on the pen respectively
Another group of reasons for eczema in the corner of the mouth are Vitamin deficiencies. A typical sign of the lack of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) are the corner of the mouth rhagades (syn. for eczema in the corner of the mouth). Furthermore, there should also be a lack of iron and Vitamin B12 be considered.
Another cause can be Autoimmune diseases be. The body forms antibodies (adapter substances against special proteins on the surface of cells) against the body's own structures, whereby e.g. damage to the skin.
In children, if eczema occurs in the corner of the mouth, one should Neurodermatitis dissemenata (atopic eczema) can be thought of as causing angular cheilitis (syn. corner of the mouth eczema) to develop in the long term.
In adults, seborrheic eczema could be a cause, but it is also a type Rash, popularly known as Grind or Head gneiss is called. This eczema occurs mostly in people with weakened immune system on. It is assumed that the training is related to a yeast fungus that is a normal skin colonist in healthy people and does not cause any complaints.
Furthermore, it should be taken into account that there is an infection with bacteria, viruses or fungi. A Fungal infection can especially appear in older, previously ill (e.g. diabetes) and immunosuppressed (cortisone therapy) patients.
An infection with bacteria, mostly streptococci and staphylococci, often occurs in children as a superinfection ("in addition to") to an existing eczema. In the case of bacterial infection, care should be taken that this infection often sustains the inflammation and eczema and allows them to persist even longer. Therefore, adequate treatment of the infection is essential.
Symptoms of eczema in the corner of the mouth
With eczema at the corner of the mouth, the typical symptoms are inflammation of the skin with redness, irritation and pain. The inflammation is usually accompanied by cracks in the skin. These can be purely superficial and only affect the upper layers of the skin, but they can also go deeper.
Many patients complain of pain when eating and especially when eating acidic foods (e.g. sweets), which cause a burning sensation in the corners of the mouth.
A feeling of tightness in the corner of the mouth when speaking and eating is often reported. In this context, many patients complain that, especially after waking up, the first movements of the mouth open the cracks in the area of the corner of the mouth and cause pain.
In the case of an infection with Candida albicans (fungus), whitish deposits can often be found in the area of the corner of the mouth and sometimes inside the mouth.
diagnosis
The diagnosis of corner of the mouth eczema is mostly made clinical posed. Often the people concerned seek out the doctor clear complaints in the corner of the mouth. By taking a detailed anamnesis with a focus on the type and time of the complaints, the doctor can already point out eczema suspect.
When examining the corners of the mouth and the skin Signs of inflammation, as well as cracks and redness, can be in connection with the knowledge about certain behaviors (e.g. licking the corners of the mouth, chewing gum) or Pre-existing illness (e.g. dentition, autoimmune diseases) of the patient an initial diagnosis can be made.
In the further course you can Trade-offs be made to on Fungal or bacterial infections to test. Even a superficial assessment could small vesicles an indication of a Herpes infection or whitish deposits an indication of a Candida infection (Fungal infection).
Furthermore, allergy tests can be carried out to identify potential allergens.
Treatment of eczema in the corner of the mouth
For the treatment of corner of the mouth eczema, if there is an underlying disease (mentioned above) that favors the development of eczema, this should first be treated or eliminated.
Zinc-containing pastes, which support the healing of the skin, are considered the first choice.
To treat fungi and bacteria that may be involved, an antifungal (fungal agent) and / or antibiotic are applied topically to the skin if necessary.
For short-term treatment for a few days, creams containing cortisone can be used. If this does not work, however, the therapy should be changed. After discontinuing the cortisone-containing cream, the problem may temporarily worsen.
Another component of the treatment is to refrain from other habits such as licking the corners of the mouth or chewing on the ballpoint pen, as otherwise the effectiveness of the treatment with creams and the like is not given.
Home remedies for eczema
If the corner of the mouth eczema is not a serious problem, it can also be treated with simple means from the medicine cabinet. As a general rule, eczema should be kept dry. This can be done by regularly applying fatty creams to the area. If available, a wound healing ointment (e.g. Bepanthen) can ideally be applied. The fatty protective layer prevents fluid and saliva from reaching the eczema. The use of a wound healing ointment leads, in the best case, to faster healing of the injured skin.
The use of fatty creams can also be used preventively. For example, this prevents the skin in the area of the corners of the mouth from drying out in winter and thus reduces the risk of eczema developing.
In addition, in the case of a vitamin deficiency, a more balanced diet and, under certain circumstances, the additional intake of vitamins and trace elements as a supportive measure can improve the problem.
Black seed oil
Many eczema patients report the supportive effects of black seed oil. This natural remedy can be applied externally to the eczema or as an oil, for example when eating. Its nutrient richness is said to support the immune system and our body from the inside out in the healing of eczema. From a medical point of view, there is nothing wrong with using black seed oil for eczema on the corner of the mouth, but if it does not improve, a doctor should be consulted promptly in order to rule out possible serious causes for the eczema.
Homeopathy for eczema
Homeopathy assumes that the development of eczema or, in general, the development of diseases of the skin, has a deeper reason at another point in the organism, e.g. the intestine.
Therefore, not only symptomatic eczema should be treated, but also the original disease. With an origin in the intestine, this can include done by changing your diet. Particular attention should be paid to which foods aggravate the symptoms and which ones may also help. A variety of herbal and homeopathic remedies can be used for this. Furthermore, a possible deficiency can be treated by taking vitamin, fatty acid and mineral supplements.
To combat symptomatic eczema on the skin, a wide variety of approaches to treatment with ointments, pastes and creams are available in homeopathy - here the patient may have to try out which way helps him best.
Another way of treating eczema externally is therapy with your own urine. The corresponding area on the skin, in this case the corner of the mouth, is rubbed with urine. The meaning behind this lies in the composition of the urine - this contains urea, as well as other substances that have possible healing and germicidal effects.
The use of homeopathy is an alternative that should be considered. The treatment by a family doctor, pediatrician or dermatologist should not be neglected, but instead the homeopathic treatment should be discussed and used as a further means.
Eczema on the chin
Eczema on the chin sometimes occurs in small ones Children and babies in the course of saliva flowing down the chin - i.e. when Drooling. Often the problem arises from the use of one dummy reinforced. The eczema is sometimes very resistant to therapy and persists for a long time.
They often help fatty creamsthat prevent the saliva from getting on the irritated skin. The addition of Antifungal drugs and Antibiotics possible.
If the eczema does not resolve, a doctor should definitely be consulted so that the child can be treated individually.
Eczema in the corner of the mouth in the child
Come in with children Corner of the mouth eczema often associated with infections bacteria before, e.g. streptococci or staphylococci.
These bacteria can grow well if the corners of the mouth are kept moist for long periods of time. This happens among others by repeatedly licking the tongue through the corner of the mouth. In the short term, the skin feels better in the corner of the mouth - but in the long term, the skin dries out even further and the symptoms worsen. Here, among other things, Among other things, this is counteracted by applying fatty creams to the corners of the mouth - this protects the child's dried out skin and furthermore the child will probably lick less through the corners of the mouth.
In children with eczema at the corner of their mouth, atopic dermatitis should also be considered as a possible cause. The eczema in the corner of the mouth can represent a minimal form of neurodermatitis. Therefore, this should also be considered in the case of eczema in the corner of the mouth that has persisted for a long time, especially if eczema is present in other prominent areas, such as on the earlobe or in the finger- and Toe area.
Eczema in the corner of the mouth during pregnancy
Eczema on the corner of the mouth can also occur during pregnancy. There are various causes for this, but the hormonal change alone is often enough to affect the skin somewhat. Then painful redness can quickly appear on the heavily stressed corners of the mouth. Pregnancy can initially have a worsening effect on the complexion, especially with known priorities, such as existing neurodermatitis.
However, eczema at the corner of the mouth during pregnancy can also indicate a vitamin or iron deficiency. Especially during pregnancy, our body needs a lot of nutrients, e.g. a deficiency of Vitamin B12 can lead to eczema at the corner of the mouth. So if you discover stubborn eczema at the corner of your mouth, it doesn't hurt to draw your doctor's attention to it so that Can substitute vitamins or recommend appropriate local therapy.
You may also be interested in this topic: Skin changes during pregnancy
Atopic eczema in the corner of the mouth
Atopic dermatitis, probably better known under the name neurodermatitis, is a chronic skin disease, which is probably caused by an excessive reaction of our body's own immune system. Neurodermatitis is most likely to be found in areas where skin meets skin, such as in joint flexors. An infestation of the face with neurodermatitis is not atypical, and so atopic eczema can also appear at the corner of the mouth. The skin here is often sensitive and itchy. This can be remedied, for example, by ointments with added cortisone, which can be applied directly to the affected skin for a short time.
Read more on this topic: Neurodermatitis
Seborrheic eczema
Seborrheic eczema shows itself as scaly, greasy, shiny, whitish to yellowish skin and occurs primarily on the hairy skin of the head and face. Seborrheic eczema can also occur in the facial folds of the facial muscles. This can also affect the corner of the mouth. The causes of seborrheic eczema have not been definitively clarified; connections with skin fungi and a malfunction of sebum glands are being discussed. Seborrheic eczema also occurs as part of Parkinson's disease. Seborrheic eczema can be treated with local ointments, often antifungal, i.e. effective against skin fungi, and anti-inflammatory with ointments containing cortisone.
Information on this topic can be found at: Seborrheic eczema
