Living with Cheilitis glandularis
A rare inflammatory condition of the lip with swelling and sticky mucus from enlarged salivary glands.
Understanding Cheilitis glandularis
It causes swelling of the lip with enlarged salivary glands, a clear thick mucus, and varying inflammation. Constant exposure of the lower lip lining to the environment can cause erosion, ulcers, crusting, and sometimes infection. In Caucasians it is linked with a relatively high chance of squamous cell carcinoma of the lip. It occurs at a variety of ages.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Thick, swollen lower lip
- Enlarged salivary glands
- Clear, thick mucus
- Lip erosion, ulcers, and crusting
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip (a skin cancer)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include skin, hair, and nail specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Children's Skin Disease Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says there may be a genetic susceptibility, but no definite cause has been established.
Also known as: glandular cheilitis; simple cheilitis glandularis
Patient organizations
- Children's Skin Disease FoundationSkin diseases · United States
Broader rare-disease groups
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Cheilitis glandularis.
Explore research for Cheilitis glandularis
Explore actively recruiting Cheilitis glandularis studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Cheilitis glandularis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper
I can help you find recruiting Cheilitis glandularis studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
Get Signals for Cheilitis glandularis
Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.
Create a living journal that talks back
HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Cheilitis glandularis experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.
Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.