What Is Actinic Cheilitis?

Caused by UV allergy in sunlight. The severity of the symptoms is related to the patient's sensitivity to light, the intensity of the light, the length of the exposure time, and the exposure range. For those who are sensitive to sunlight, in addition to melanin production after exposure to sunlight, intracellular and extracellular edema, collagen fibrosis, etc. appear.

Sun Zheng	(Chief physician)	Department of Oral Mucosa, Beijing Stomatological Hospital
Guan Xiaobing	(Chief physician)	Department of Oral Mucosa, Beijing Stomatological Hospital

Actinic cheilitis, also known as solar cheilitis, is caused by excessive exposure to sunlight and is divided into two types, acute and chronic. Caused by UV allergy. More common in outdoor workers.

Western Medicine Name: Actinic cheilitis
Other name: Solar cheilitis
Affiliated Department: Department of Physiology-Stomatology

Disease site: Lips
The main symptoms: Edema, congestion, erosion
Main cause: UV allergy
Multiple groups: Outdoor worker

Causes of actinic cheilitis

Studies have shown that porphyrin metabolism is related to light sensitivity. Certain drugs (such as sulfa, tetracycline, chlortetracycline, chlorpromazine, angelica, psoralen, etc.), plants (mustard, celery, carrot, fig, orange, fennel, etc.) ), Etc. can affect porphyrin metabolism and induce the disease. ^[1]

Clinical manifestations of actinic cheilitis

1. Seasonal is obvious, it is heavier in summer and more common in outdoor workers. Occurs on the lower lip.

2. According to the speed of onset and the severity of symptoms can be divided into two types of acute and chronic. ^[2]

Classification of actinic cheilitis diseases

Actinic cheilitis

Sudden onset of illness and history of exposure. The lip red area is widely edema, congestion, erosion, and the surface is covered with hemorrhoids or erosive surface. There is severe itching and a burning sensation. The affected area can affect the entire lower lip, which affects eating and speaking. Deeper lesions will leave scars after healing. Systemic symptoms are mild or absent, and can heal within 2 to 4 weeks or become chronic.

Actinic cheilitis

It can come from acute changes, or it can be hidden. The lower lip is mainly dry and desquamated, and white fine bran-like scales constantly appear. The prolonged course can make the lips lose elasticity. This lesion belongs to a precancerous state and is prone to canceration. Patients generally do not have an itching sensation and may have a bad habit of licking their lips. ^[3]

Diagnosis and identification of actinic cheilitis

Diagnosis of actinic cheilitis

Have a clear history of light; diagnosis can be made in conjunction with clinical manifestations.

Differential diagnosis of actinic cheilitis

Pay attention to identify with discoid lupus erythematosus, lichen planus, cold sores, chronic nonspecific cheilitis, and so on.

1. Discoid lupus erythematosus and lichen planus can have white radial thin white streaks, as well as white streaks in the oral mucosa.

2. Herpes labialis has a history of viral infection and recurrent episodes. First, clusters of blisters appear, and scabs form after ulceration, which can heal itself.

3. Chronic non-specific cheilitis has no history of sun exposure, which occurs in cold and dry seasons. ^[1] ^[2]

Treatment of actinic cheilitis

1. Pay attention to avoiding light and sun.

2. Because the disease may appear cancerous, attention should be paid to early diagnosis and early treatment.

3. Local treatment.

4. Systemic treatment: chloroquine can be used for treatment. Chloroquine has the effect of enhancing anti-ultraviolet rays and anti-histamine. Pay attention to side effects when applying. Long-term application of chloroquine pay attention to recheck the fundus and blood.

5. If there is a tendency to become cancerous or has become cancerous, surgery should be performed in time. ^[2] ^[3]