Actinic cheilitis

Actinic Cheilitis

Actinic cheilitis (pronounced: ak-tin-ik kuh-lahy-tis), also known as sailor's lip or farmer's lip, is a precancerous condition related to chronic sun exposure. The term originates from the Greek words "aktis" meaning ray, and "cheilos" meaning lip.

Definition

Actinic cheilitis is a form of Cheilitis, which is an inflammation of the lip. It is characterized by the development of a rough, scaly patch on the lower lip, often resulting from excessive exposure to the sun. It is considered a potentially malignant disorder, as it can progress to Squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of actinic cheilitis is a persistent roughness or scaliness on the lower lip, typically on the border of the lip. Other symptoms may include lip discoloration, swelling, tenderness, or the presence of a lip lesion that does not heal.

Causes

The primary cause of actinic cheilitis is chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Other risk factors include fair skin, a history of Actinic keratosis, and tobacco use.

Treatment

Treatment options for actinic cheilitis include topical medications, cryotherapy, laser therapy, and in severe cases, surgical removal of the affected area. It is also important to protect the lips from further sun damage by using a lip balm with sun protection factor (SPF) and avoiding excessive sun exposure.

Prevention

Prevention of actinic cheilitis primarily involves protecting the lips from the sun. This can be achieved by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, using a lip balm with SPF, and avoiding sun exposure during peak hours.

Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski

Actinic cheilitis