
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Cheilitis
Introduction
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Common Causes
It is associated with many diseases, including megaloblastic anemia from Vitamin B12 deficiency, iron deficiency anemia (which in severe cases can lead to Plummer-Vinson syndrome and oral candidiasis. It can also be a symptom of allergies, such as allergy to Balsam of Peru[1]. Cheilitis can also be caused by taking the (retinoid) drug Isotretinoin (brand name Roaccutane).
It may also be a pre-malignant lesion for squamous cell carcinoma.
Physical Examination
Ear Nose and Throat

Causes
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Common Causes
Causes by Organ System
| Cardiovascular | No underlying causes |
| Chemical/Poisoning | No underlying causes |
| Dental | No underlying causes |
| Dermatologic | No underlying causes |
| Drug Side Effect | Dactinomycin, Eflornithine |
| Ear Nose Throat | No underlying causes |
| Endocrine | No underlying causes |
| Environmental | No underlying causes |
| Gastroenterologic | No underlying causes |
| Genetic | No underlying causes |
| Hematologic | No underlying causes |
| Iatrogenic | No underlying causes |
| Infectious Disease | No underlying causes |
| Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic | No underlying causes |
| Neurologic | No underlying causes |
| Nutritional/Metabolic | No underlying causes |
| Obstetric/Gynecologic | No underlying causes |
| Oncologic | No underlying causes |
| Ophthalmologic | No underlying causes |
| Overdose/Toxicity | No underlying causes |
| Psychiatric | No underlying causes |
| Pulmonary | No underlying causes |
| Renal/Electrolyte | No underlying causes |
| Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy | No underlying causes |
| Sexual | No underlying causes |
| Trauma | No underlying causes |
| Urologic | No underlying causes |
| Miscellaneous | No underlying causes |
Causes in Alphabetical Order
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References
References
- ↑ “Balsam of Peru induced contact allergy” DermatitisFacts.com. Date of publication: Unknown. Accessed: October 11, 2007
- ↑ http://picasaweb.google.com/mcmumbi/USMLEIIImages
