Diagnostic management of cheilitis: an approach based on a recent proposal for cheilitis classification
Liborija Lugović‐Mihić, Tadeja Blagec, Iva Japundžić, Nevena Skroza, Marija Delaš Adžajić, Marinka Mravak‐Stipetić
Abstract
Various cheilitis types and classifications are found in the litera-ture (Table High-profile dermatological literature names only a few of the most common types, though some expanded classifications exist (4). Most of the literature does not actually use the word classification, but groups cheilitis into different types based on specific features, such as frequency. Thus, in the literature we found only classifications based on the frequency of cheilitis in which authors identify common types of cheilitis (actinic cheilitis, irritant contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis [AD]), less common types (allergic contact dermatitis, candidal cheilitis, lichen planus and graft versus host disease [GVHD], and granulomatous cheilitis), and uncommon types (glandularis, actinic prurigo, lichen sclerosus, and nutritional deficiencies) (9). In other literature, authors label different types as chapping of the lips, eczematous, contact, drug-induced, infective, angular, actinic, glandular, granulomatous, exfoliative (factitious), plasma cell, nutritional, and cheilitis caused by dermatoses and trauma (10). In addition, some authors mention classification according to etiology: lip inflammation types can be separated into those due to infection, allergy, a toxin, medication, or injury, or due to a vitamin or mineral deficiency (iron or vitamin B) (7). Our recently published proposal provides a thorough but more succinct way to group different forms of cheilitis by classifying the disease, as previously mentioned, into three main types according to duration and etiology (1). The most common forms of cheilitis are the reversible types, usually of short duration and commonly easily resolved or treated. On the other hand, irreversible types of cheilitis are rare, more difficult to treat, and confirmed only after a biopsy of an inflamed lesion. The third type is cheilitis connected to other cutaneous/systemic diseases.