A dentist has issued a caution to patients who have chapped lips, stating that there may be an underlying infection that needs to be treated.
The cold months bring many unhelpful things.
Shorter daylight hours, the dreaded illness, and, for some, dry or chapped lips are all common occurrences.
And some people may discover that no matter how much lip balm they apply, the condition does not appear to improve.
A dentist has just explained why this happens so frequently.
Dr. Joyce Kahng, the owner of Orange and Magnolia Dental Studios in California, responded to a video of a guy complaining about ulcers in the corners of his mouth.
After thinking his suffering was caused by the chilly weather, he was advised it could be a fungal infection.
The dentist, known as @joycethedentist on Instagram, said: “This could actually be angular cheilitis.”
She explained: “Bacteria and yeast will get into little cracked corners, and then cause an infection.
“This is why no matter how much chapstick you use, it is not going to fix anything, and it’s not addressing the root of the issue.”
