[Cheilitis: Diagnosis and treatment]

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Dermatology
• Pathology

Context:

• Cheilitis management necessitates a comprehensive examination of the oral cavity, mucosae, and skin.
• Various etiological factors, including irritants, allergens, and systemic conditions, contribute to cheilitis.
• Specific types like chronic actinic cheilitis and granulomatous macrocheilitis require distinct diagnostic approaches.

Purpose:

• To outline the diagnostic requirements for various forms of cheilitis.
• To emphasize the importance of thorough patient history and specific tests like patch testing and biopsies.
• To highlight cheilitis as a potential indicator of underlying systemic diseases or potentially malignant conditions.

Summary:

• Irritants are primary causes, while allergic contact cheilitis needs detailed history and patch testing.
• Chronic actinic cheilitis, common in fair-skinned men, is potentially malignant and requires biopsy.
• Angular cheilitis involves various factors, and cheilitis can manifest in systemic diseases like lichen planus or lupus.

Impact:

• Provides a diagnostic framework for clinicians managing cheilitis.
• Underscores the link between oral health and systemic conditions.
• Aids in the early detection of potentially malignant oral lesions.