Stomatitis

Stomatitis
Classification and external resources
Kwashiorkor sufferers show signs of thinning hair, edema, inadequate growth, and weight loss. The stomatitis on the pictured infant indicates an accompanying Vitamin B deficiency
ICD-10	K12
ICD-9	528.0
DiseasesDB	27158
MeSH	D013280

Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucous lining of any of the structures in the mouth, which may involve the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, throat, and roof or floor of the mouth. The inflammation can be caused by conditions in the mouth itself, such as poor oral hygiene, dietary protein deficiency, poorly fitted dentures, or from mouth burns from hot food or drinks, toxic plants, or by conditions that affect the entire body, such as medications, allergic reactions, radiation therapy, or infections.

Pathophysiology

Severe iron deficiency anemia can lead to stomatitis. Iron is necessary for the upregulation of transcriptional elements for cell replication and repair. Lack of iron can cause the genetic downregulation of these elements, leading to ineffective repair and regeneration of epithelial cells, especially in the mouth and lips. This condition is also prevalent in people who have a deficiency in vitamin B₂ (Riboflavin), B₃ (Niacin), B₆ (Pyridoxine), B₉ (folic acid) or B₁₂ (Cyanocobalamine).

When it also involves an inflammation of the gingiva, it is called gingivostomatitis.

It may also be seen in ariboflavinosis (riboflavin deficiency) or neutropenia.

Angular stomatitis

Main article: Angular cheilitis

Irritation and fissuring in the corners of the lips is termed angular stomatitis or angular cheilitis. In children a frequent cause is repeated lip-licking and in adults it may be a sign of underlying iron deficiency anemia, or vitamin B deficiencies (e.g. B₂-riboflavin, B₉-folate or B₁₂-cobalamin, which in turn may be evidence of poor diets or malnutrition (e.g. celiac disease).

Also, angular cheilitis can be caused by a patient's jaws at rest being 'overclosed' due to edentulousness or tooth wear, causing the jaws to come to rest closer together than if the complete/unaffected dentition were present. This causes skin folds around the angle of the mouth which are kept moist by saliva which in turn favours infection; mostly by Candida albicans or similar species. Treatment usually involves the administration of topical nystatin or similar antifungal agents. Another treatment can be to correct the jaw relationship with dental treatment (e.g. dentures or occlusal adjustment).

Migratory stomatitis

Main article: Migratory stomatitis

Migratory stomatitis is a condition in which extensive areas in the oral cavity mucosa are affected by annular atrophic red lesions that surrounded by a thin white rim. This is a relatively uncommon form of the geographic tongue condition, that, in opposed to migratory stomatitis, is confined to the dorsal and lateral aspects of the tongue mucosa only.

See also

• Cheilitis
• Pyostomatitis vegetans
• Aphthous ulcer
• Bovine papular stomatitis

External links

• Health A-Z
• DrHull
• 5-Minute Clinical Consult Stomatitis