夏季口炎是細菌感染還是B群不足？

Every summer and autumn, many people find blisters appearing around their lips, accompanied by pain or itching. Most attribute this to "internal heat" and consume large amounts of winter melon or other cooling foods like Coptis chinensis, but this often doesn't improve the condition. In fact, this type of angular cheilitis is often caused by viral infection or a lack of...Vitamin B The cause is not as simple as "internal heat".

What exactly is angular cheilitis? Angular cheilitis refers to 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, crusting, and peeling; in severe cases, ulcers may appear. Some patients may develop white, ulcerated sores at the corners of their mouths, and in the acute phase, fluid may ooze out and form yellow crusts. Once the symptoms worsen, opening the mouth will be significantly painful, affecting even daily activities such as eating and speaking. There are many causes of angular cheilitis, the two most common being bacterial infection and vitamin B deficiency.

Let's first look at angular cheilitis caused by bacterial infection. During dry seasons, the skin and mucous membranes around the lips and corners of the mouth are prone to dryness and cracking. If you have a habit of licking your lips at this time, the moist environment creates favorable conditions for bacterial growth. If your immune system is weakened, herpes simplex virus or Candida albicans can easily invade the corners of the mouth, eventually causing inflammation or cracking. This type of angular cheilitis caused by bacterial infection usually has symptoms limited to the area around the corners of the mouth, making it relatively easy to identify. For treatment, you can use oral balms containing anti-inflammatory ingredients, or apply anti-inflammatory ointments or take anti-inflammatory medication as directed by your doctor. As for daily prevention, the key is to break the habit of licking your lips to avoid providing an opportunity for bacterial growth.

Another common cause is lack ofVitamin B complexThis leads to angular cheilitis. B vitamins include vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, folic acid, niacin, and others. A deficiency in riboflavin is particularly problematic.Vitamin B2This is the most common cause of angular cheilitis. In human physiological functions, vitamin B2 plays an important role in promoting growth and development, participating in redox reactions, and maintaining the integrity of the skin and cell membranes. It is also closely related to the absorption of folic acid and vitamin B6, as well as the utilization of iron.

A deficiency in vitamin B2 can impair the integrity of the skin and cell membranes, often manifesting clinically as inflammation of the mouth, periocular area, and skin. Specifically, oral inflammation may include angular cheilitis, glossitis, and cheilitis; ocular symptoms may include photophobia, tearing, conjunctival congestion, and blurred vision; seborrheic dermatitis may occur on the sides of the nose; and some male patients may also experience scrotal dermatitis. In addition, 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, and short-term mild deficiency usually doesn't cause immediate noticeable symptoms. However, people with a chronically unbalanced diet should be wary of developing angular cheilitis due to persistent vitamin B2 deficiency. From a dietary perspective, vitamin B2 is mainly found in lean animal meat, liver, kidneys, and soybeans and their products; a balanced diet can effectively provide sufficient intake. During an acute episode of angular cheilitis, high-dose B vitamin complex supplements can be taken under the guidance of a doctor or nutritionist to help quickly improve symptoms.