8. Tightness Around the Mouth: The Restrictive Grip of Angular Cheilitis
Imagine feeling as if an invisible band has wrapped itself around your mouth, restricting even the simplest of movements. That’s the tightness many with Angular Cheilitis describe. It’s not just a physical sensation; it’s mentally exhausting, too.
The skin, when adequately hydrated and healthy, stretches and retracts with ease. But with Angular Cheilitis, this elasticity diminishes. The skin around the mouth feels drawn, pulled back, making even mundane tasks like talking or eating feel laborious.
An intriguing aspect of this symptom is its subtlety. Initially, many might dismiss it as mere dryness, but as days pass, its persistent nature becomes apparent. Unlike regular skin tightness that a good moisturizer can address, this has deeper roots, connected to the inflammation and damage caused by the condition. (8)
