A fungal infection on the lips can be very discomforting. This HealthHearty article tells you about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of lip fungus.
The lips are two fleshy folds of tissue that surround our mouth. These are very sensitive due to their tactile nature. They are very sensitive to cold, warmth, and touch. Our lips are a prominent facial feature, so a fungal infection on them can affect your appearance and make you feel very unpleasant and self-conscious. It can be caused due to number of reasons, one of them being a weak immune system. The infection is usually in the form of sores or abnormalities that arise from inside the mouth. It is mainly caused because of a yeast called ‘Candida’. 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 thrush. Candida yeast is a fungus that grows vigorously in moist and warm conditions. Plasta Cheilitis is a medical condition when this 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 this yeast occurs when an 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 gaps are prone to an infection by this yeast. Inflammation and cracking, supplemented with pain in the corners of the lips, are experienced by people who are infected by this yeast.
Angular Cheilitis, also known as Perleche and angular stomatitis, 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 the deficiency of riboflavin. Riboflavin is a vitamin B that precludes skin lesions. Usually, it 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 stomatitis. It is treated by removal of chronic infection.
- 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 on the lips
- Redness and swelling of the lips (may be due to bacterial infection also)
- General weakness
- Irresistible craving for sugar and sweets.
Causes
- Wearing dentures
- Snuff and alcohol consumption
- Exposure to abrasive climatic conditions
- Licking the lips during infection worsens the condition of your lips.
- 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 lipsticks, lip gloss, lip balms, etc.
Remedies
- Drink plenty of water as it stimulates the secretion of saliva.
- Maintain oral hygiene, and avoid biting your lips as they may cause the fungus to spread.
- Avoid spicy food as it may aggravate Paresthesia. Sugar is a good medium for the growth of Candida yeast infection. So, it is better to avoid excess sugar intake. Even if you do consume sugar, ensure that you wash your mouth properly after the consumption.
- Goldenseal and Tea tree oil has antifungal properties. Applying it on the infected area can palliate the contagion in a few days.
- Castor oil can also be applied on the lips as it has therapeutic properties.
- You can also apply yogurt on the affected area as it is known to have properties that help in combating the infection.
Nystatin creams, Clotrimazole (having brand names Canesten or Lotrimin), Betamethasone dipropionate creams are mostly prescribed by doctors to cure the infection. Some of the lesions that occur on the lips are contagious. So, maintain good oral hygiene practices, and avoid spreading the infection to others. Consume nutritional food in order to combat such fungal infections.
