Eczema is a common skin condition characterized by inflammation, dryness, itching, and a weakened skin barrier. Symptoms often include dry, itchy, bumpy skin, rashes, or scaly patches. Many people experience their first symptoms during infancy, and while eczema typically improves with age, it can be a chronic condition for adults. This article explores whether eczema can affect the mouth.
Understanding Oral Eczema
While eczema, particularly atopic dermatitis, primarily affects the skin, it rarely manifests inside the mouth on the mucous membranes. The moist lining of the oral cavity differs significantly from external skin, making it less susceptible to eczematous reactions.
However, eczema can affect the skin around the mouth, a condition known as perioral dermatitis. It presents as a rash with small red bumps, redness, and scaling around the mouth, sometimes extending to the nose and eyes. It can be itchy or have a burning sensation.
Eczema on the lips, known as eczematous cheilitis, causes inflammation and irritation, leading to dry, scaly, or cracked lips. This condition can be a form of atopic or contact dermatitis.
Common Conditions Mistaken for Oral Eczema
Many oral conditions can be confused with eczema due to similar symptoms like redness, inflammation, or discomfort. Angular cheilitis, for instance, affects the corners of the mouth, causing irritated, cracked sores. This condition often results from saliva collecting and drying at the mouth corners, creating an environment where bacteria or fungi can thrive.
Oral lichen planus is another chronic inflammatory condition that affects the tissue lining inside the mouth, presenting as white patches, lacy threads, or sometimes red, irritated areas on the cheeks, tongue, or gums. Symptoms can range from being asymptomatic to causing pain, especially with certain foods.
Geographic tongue, also called benign migratory glossitis, causes smooth, reddish patches on the tongue that resemble a map, sometimes with white borders. These patches can change in size and shape and may occasionally cause burning or pain, particularly when eating hot, spicy, or acidic foods.
Oral thrush, or oral candidiasis, is a fungal infection that appears as creamy white lesions on the tongue or inner cheeks, which can be scraped off to reveal red, sometimes bleeding, areas underneath. This infection occurs when there is an overgrowth of Candida fungus, often due to a weakened immune system or certain medications.
Recognizing Actual Oral Eczema
True manifestations of eczema inside the mouth, beyond the lips or perioral skin, are uncommon. When they do occur, they are typically associated with severe, widespread atopic dermatitis affecting other parts of the body. Oral manifestations might include stomatitis, which is inflammation of the mouth lining.
These internal oral issues are generally part of a more systemic disease presentation. Research indicates a correlation between atopic dermatitis and certain oral health conditions, though the exact link is not always clear. For example, studies have observed changes in the oral microbiota in atopic dermatitis patients.
When to Consult a Professional
If you experience persistent or concerning symptoms in your mouth, consulting a healthcare professional is important for an accurate diagnosis. A dentist or dermatologist can evaluate oral symptoms, especially if they are unusually large, painful, or last longer than two to three weeks. Diagnostic methods typically involve a visual examination and a review of your medical history. In some cases, a biopsy may be performed to confirm a diagnosis or rule out more serious conditions. Early detection and appropriate management are important for oral health and overall well-being.