What is perleche?

Anybody can experience having dry and chapped lips, which usually appears either as a result of lack of water or cold weather, which indeed has drying effects on the skin. But the moment that you notice having extremely painful cracks in the corners of your mouth, which may or may not bleed, is something different altogether. That condition is known as perleche or angular cheilitis. This happens mainly because of overly dry skin, but can also be caused by a multitude of factors, including zinc and vitamin B deficiency; perleche can even be worsened by the effects of bacteria and viruses on the wound. Perleche also takes place in elderly individuals who wear dentures that don't fit properly. If dentures are ill-fitting, saliva tends to pool in the corners of the mouth, drying up the skin and causing perleche to develop. If you are suffering from perleche, don't worry; there are solutions to help your condition.