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Skin Disorders in Elderly Persons: Part 5, Fungal Infections (Perlèche)

NOAH S. SCHEINFELD, MD, JD

Volume 47 - Issue 6 - June 2007

Perlèche

Perlèche

Candidal infection can also occur at the lateral angles of the mouth; it causes erosions and breakdown of the skin (Figure). Angular cheilitis, or perlèche, resembles the relationship between intertriginous candidiasis and intertrigo in that it is part infection and part inflammatory response to the impairment of epidermal integrity. A related condition is denture stomatitis, which presents as chronic mucosal erythema typically beneath the site of a denture.

References
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  • Loo DS. Onychomycosis in the elderly: drug treatment options. Drugs Aging. 2007;24:293-302.
  • Tan JS, Joseph WS. Common fungal infections of the feet in patients with diabetes mellitus. Drugs Aging. 2004;21;101-112.
  • Weinberg JM, Scheinfeld NS. Cutaneous infections in the elderly: diagnosis and management. Dermatol Ther. 2003;16:195-205.
  • Weinberg JM, Vafaie J, Scheinfeld NS. Skin infections in the elderly. Dermatol Clin. 2004;22:51-61.