Lip deseases, Diseases of the lips, Diseases of the lips Trauma, Fissures, Leukoplakia

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Diseases of the lips.

The vermilion of the lips was conceptualized by Jean Darier as the semi-mucosa. The anatomy of the lips is transitional from skin to mucous membrane. This article emphasizes inflammatory diseases of the lips known as cheilitis. Angular cheilitis is a reactive process with several possible causes, including infections, mechanical, nutritional deficiency, and various dermatoses. Contact cheilitis may be caused by a primary irritant or a delayed hypersensitivity allergic reaction to contactants. Plasma cell cheilitis is a reactive periorificial mucositis. Exfoliative cheilitis is also a reactive process, probably secondary to factitious activity of the patient. Cheilitis glandularis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the labial salivary glands and their ducts. There are three forms: simple, superficial suppurative, and deep suppurative. A premalignant potential is present in cheilitis glandularis. Cheilitis granulomatosa is one manifestation of orofacial granulomatosis. The granulomatous conditions of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome, sarcoidosis, and Crohn’s disease may be associated with cheilitis granulomatosa or it may stand alone as Miescher’s cheilitis. Actinic cheilitis is another premalignant form of cheilitis that is amenable to a variety of therapeutic modalities.

Diseases of the lips – Trauma, Fissures, Leukoplakia
Trauma. The lips, in plain sight and the center of much activity during life, usually have suffered bruising, biting, chafing and often a cut or two. Aside from scar formation and possible mild deformity which would result, trauma to the lips heals quickly and is seldom serious. Severe lacerations of the lips obviously requires surgical repair.

Cracked and Fissured Lips. Cracking of the lips, with deep fissure formation frequently results from exposure to sunlight and cold, and can be very painful and smile-preventing. It is seldom serious and heals quickly when protected with pomade or skin cream.

Cracking in the corners of the mouth in adult people often indicates ariboflavinosis, a vitamin B deficiency. When the cracking accompanies malnutrition or disease resulting from an inadequate diet, healing of the corners of the mouth usually responds readily to an adequate diet containing sufficient vitamin B.

Leukoplakia. A milky-colored coating, of a slightly thickened nature on the wet inner aspect of the lips, is the appearance of leukoplakia, considered to be a pre-cancerous condition. It can occur in other areas of the mouth, besides the lips, and is often associated with the use of tobacco in any of its forms. Leukoplakia conditions call for ceasing the use of tobacco and usually the removal of these lesions by surgery or cautery. Mouth cleanliness also becomes a matter of concern, and routine oral hygiene becomes imperative.