More people suffer from perleche or angular cheilitis than we think. For the most part, we just brush off the symptoms as us having a mere case of dry, chapped lips. But sometimes, the appearance of our lips just get worse and worse. Those whose dry lips heal up over time are lucky; others experience a worsening of their condition, until it has become extremely painful to just open their mouths. This condition is known as perleche, angular cheilitis, or cheilosis.

Perleche takes place not just as a result of dry, chapped lips, but due to other factors as well. Wearing dentures, for example, causes saliva to pool in the corners of the mouth and dries them up. Bacteria and viruses are another factor that worsens your condition.

Treating perleche takes some time, but you don't have to shell out hundreds of dollars to get quick relief.

You don't always need expensive medication to get rid of perleche. Try the following methods first to soothe your lips.

• Wearing dentures? Make sure you clean them regularly to prevent the possibility of infection.
• Apply protective lip balm. Don't choose flavored lip balm in case the substances in it will aggravate your condition.
• Don't lick your lips. The substances in saliva, rather than keeping your lips moist, will actually dry it up some more.
• Take quality iron and vitamin B supplements. Perleche is usually a manifestation of vitamin B and iron deficiency.

Of course, you should also consult your physician about the best type of treatment you should also try for your condition.