Is summer stomatitis a bacterial infection or a deficiency of vitamin B complex?

Every summer and autumn, many people will find blisters on their lips, accompanied by pain or itching. Most people attribute this phenomenon to "heatiness", so they eat a lot of winter melon, take coptis root and other heat-reducing foods, but often there is no improvement. In fact, this type of angular cheilitis symptoms are mostly caused by viral infection or deficiency.Vitamin B It is caused by a group of people, not just "getting angry".

What exactly is angular cheilitis? Angular cheilitis refers to an acute or chronic inflammation at the junction of the upper and lower lips. Its most obvious symptoms include blisters on one or both sides of the lips, redness of the skin, mucosal erosion, scabbing, scaling, and, in severe cases, ulcers. Some patients develop white ulcers at the corners of the mouth, which may even ooze fluid and form yellow scabs in the acute phase. Once symptoms worsen, opening the mouth can be painful, affecting even daily activities like eating and talking. There are many causes of angular cheilitis, the two most common of which are bacterial infection and vitamin B deficiency.

Let's first consider angular cheilitis caused by bacterial infection. With the arrival of dry weather, the lips and the skin around the corners of the mouth are prone to dryness and cracking. If you develop the habit of licking your lips during this time, the moist environment creates favorable conditions for bacterial growth. If your immune system is weakened, the herpes virus or Candida albicans can take advantage of this vulnerability and invade the corners of the mouth, ultimately causing inflammation or dryness. Symptoms of this type of angular cheilitis caused by bacterial infection are usually confined to the corners of the mouth, making it easier to identify. Treatment options include oral creams containing anti-inflammatory ingredients, or applying anti-inflammatory ointments and medications as directed by your doctor. As for daily prevention, the key is to break the habit of licking your lips to avoid providing opportunities for bacterial growth.

Another common cause is lack ofVitamin B complexVitamin B group includes vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12, folic acid, niacin and other ingredients, among which the deficiency of riboflavin is the mostVitamin B2, which is most likely to cause angular cheilitis. In human physiology, vitamin B2 plays an important role in promoting growth and development, participating in redox reactions, and maintaining the integrity of skin and cell membranes. It is also closely related to the absorption of folic acid and vitamin B6 and the utilization of iron.

A vitamin B2 deficiency can affect the integrity of the skin and cell membranes, often manifesting clinically as inflammation of the mouth, periocular area, and skin. Specifically, oral angular cheilitis, glossitis, and cheilitis may occur; ocular symptoms include photophobia, tearing, conjunctival congestion, and blurred vision; seborrheic dermatitis may develop on the sides of the nose, and some men may also experience symptoms of orchitis. Furthermore, patients often experience fatigue, anemia, and recurrent inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes.

It's important to note that vitamin B2 has a half-life of approximately 60 to 180 days in the human body, so short-term, mild deficiency typically doesn't cause immediate symptoms. However, those with chronically unbalanced diets should be wary of the risk of angular cheilitis from persistent vitamin B2 deficiency. From a dietary perspective, vitamin B2 is primarily found in lean animal meats, liver, kidney, and soy products, and can be effectively absorbed through a balanced diet. If you're experiencing acute angular cheilitis, you can consider taking a high-dose vitamin B complex supplement under the guidance of a physician or nutritionist to quickly improve your symptoms.