Among the many diseases affecting the lips, cheilitis is not the last. Pathology is most often diagnosed in people aged 50 to 60 years. There are several varieties of it. In today's article, we will take a closer look at glandular cheilitis.
Description of the disease
Glandular cheilitis is a dental disease. It is commonly understood as congenital or acquired pathologies in the structure of the salivary glands. As a result of the ongoing changes, the secret is produced in excess quantities. The abnormal process, as a rule, extends only to the lower lip.
Men suffer from manifestations of the disease 2 times more often than the fair sex. The risk of its development increases with poor hygiene, the presence of active foci of inflammation in the mouth, and in smokers. Lack of timely treatment can lead to the transformation of pathology into a malignant process.
Varieties of disease
It is accepted in medical practicedistinguish two types of illness:
- Primary form. Occurs as an independent disease. Red dots with dilated ducts form on the surface of the lips, over which saliva accumulates.
- Secondary form. It is the result of other he alth problems. The clinical picture is complemented by swelling of the lips and pain when touched. Drops of saliva with impurities of pus may appear on the mucosa. The mouth remains open at all times.
Main reasons
Primary glandular cheilitis is a consequence of congenital pathology of the salivary glands. If parents have already had to deal with this disease, the probability of its recurrence in children is almost 100%. However, the primary symptoms appear in patients only after 20 years.
The secondary form can develop as a complication of the following diseases:
- systemic lupus erythematosus;
- lichen planus;
- leukoplakia.
Constant irritation of the oral mucosa accompanies the course of these ailments. The result is the growth of glandular tissue, increased secretion production. The risk of secondary cheilitis increases with chronic pathologies of the oral cavity (periodontitis, periodontal disease), improperly sized dentures.
Clinical picture
Symptoms of glandular cheilitis are difficult to confuse with other diseases. It begins its development with the appearance of red dots on the border of the lips. This is the mouth of the diseased salivary glands. If the lips are gently blotted with a napkin, after a while, droplets of secret will come out in this place. This happens due to increased production of saliva. The lips are constantly moisturized, but due to the evaporation of the liquid, the skin begins to crack and peel off.
In some patients, the clinical picture is associated with severe itching. The skin looks keratinized and unhe althy, with time a characteristic crust appears on the lips. Whitish-colored formations may appear around the mouths of the salivary glands - foci of leukoplakia.
The purulent form of cheilitis or Volkmann's disease most typically manifests itself. Lips first swell, become sensitive, then severe pain appears. On examination, the skin appears thinned. The epithelium is covered with multiple purulent foci. On palpation, compacted salivary glands are well defined. After pressing, a secretion with impurities of pus is observed. The complicated course of Volkmann's cheilitis is expressed by symptoms of general intoxication of the body, an increase in submandibular lymph nodes.
Diagnostic Methods
The disease has a characteristic clinical picture. However, to confirm the preliminary diagnosis, patients are prescribed a biopsy of the salivary glands, followed by a histological examination. The obtained material is studied in laboratory conditions. With glandular cheilitis, hypertrophy of the salivary glands is detected simultaneously with an inflammatory infiltrate in the ducts. Some patients have no changes in the epithelial tissue, while others have acanthosis (skin hyperpigmentation).
Conservative treatment
Conservative therapy of the disease is carried out in two stages. First, the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, which are used in the form of applications with emulsions and ointments. In parallel, the treatment of concomitant ailments is carried out. They also make applications with enzymes ("Lysozyme", "Chimopsin"). The compress is placed on the affected area for 15 minutes once a day. Various aerosols are used to irrigate the lips. The following are recognized as the most effective: "Panthenol", "Livian". The procedures are recommended to be repeated up to four times a day, and the duration of one should be about 25 minutes.
At the second stage, when the disease becomes purulent, they resort to electrocoagulation or surgical intervention. Antibacterial agents are also indicated. More details about these treatments will be discussed below.
Regardless of the form of the disease, all patients are prescribed vascular drugs to improve their overall well-being. One of these is Vinpocetine. Instructions for use and price - these are the main issues that patients worry about. This drug is indicated for behavioral or other personality disorders, sleep and mood disorders. Its action is aimed at relaxing the walls of blood vessels, improving blood circulation and its rheological properties.
The application begins with the introduction of the solution intravenously. After the patient's condition improves, he is transferred to tablets. This is exactly what the instructions for use advise forVinpocetine. The price of the drug varies from 70 to 300 rubles for 50 tablets, depending on the country of manufacture.
Also, complex therapy involves the appointment of tranquilizers and sedatives ("Phenazepam"), vitamin and mineral complexes. All patients need to reconsider hygienic care of the oral cavity, give up bad habits.
Provided early detection of cheilitis and competent treatment, the prognosis for recovery is favorable. Otherwise, the risk of developing a squamous cell cancer increases.
Surgery
Electrocoagulation is recognized as the most reliable method of treating glandular cheilitis. During the procedure, a wax electrode is used, which is inserted directly into the depths of the salivary gland. The use of superficial coagulation may result in a retention cyst.
If during the diagnosis a large number of pathological foci are revealed in a patient, their excision is recommended. During the operation, an oval incision is made along the Klein line. Then the hypertrophied tissues are husked, and then catgut sutures are applied. Surgery is performed under anesthesia, making the procedure painless.
What is the disease dangerous?
Cheilit is a rather unpleasant disease, the manifestations of which worsen the quality of human life. In addition to the pain that appears due to cracks in theskin, cosmetic problems arise. The face becomes outwardly unattractive, and the crusts and discharge of pus on the lips look repulsive.
Cheilit is not a precancerous disease. However, in the absence of treatment or exposure to adverse factors, malignant degeneration of soft tissues and the development of leukoplakia are possible. Therefore, it is undesirable to ignore the initial symptoms of inflammation.
Prevention Methods
Prevent the appearance of the primary form of the disease is not possible. When a child is born, he already has some anomalies of the salivary glands.
The case history of glandular cheilitis in most patients with the secondary form suggests that the pathology can be avoided. Its prevention comes down to proper hygiene and oral care, timely treatment of dental ailments and other problems.
Conclusion
Glandular cheilitis is a rather serious disease. It is characterized by pathological changes in the salivary glands, which is accompanied by increased secretion production and other unpleasant symptoms. The disease can have two forms: congenital and acquired. It is impossible to prevent the occurrence of the first.
Acquired responds well to conservative therapy. In especially serious cases, surgical intervention is required. Lack of therapy and neglect of the initial symptoms of pathology can lead to the development of leukoplakia, a malignant process.
