Angular cheilitis is manifested by characteristic crusts and ulcers at the angles of the lips and sometimes at the labial commissure (Fig. 1).
The pain associated with the lesions can cause loss of appetite. The cause is probably damage to the epithelium due to abrasive foodstuffs (e.g. hay that is too coarse or straw) or acid foods, with secondary bacterial infections. The presence of poxvirus has been demonstrated in some cases. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the clinical appearance of the lesions.
The treatment consists of cleaning the lesions, applying an antiseptic such as chlorhexidine 0.5-1% and systemic administration of antibiotics. In some cases it is useful to protect the lesions with vitamin E and give analgesics.