OBJECTIVE: To obtain basetine data on angular cheilitis in Southern Chinese.DESIGN: A cross‐sectional investigation of the clinical, microbiological and ultrastructural features of the condition.SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Thirty six Chinese adults with angular cheilitis; 28 controls matched for age and sex, with no inflammation. Clinical examination, swabs of lesions for microbiology, impressions of lesions for ultra‐structure, using replica technique.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Severity of lesions, associated signs and symptoms, incidence and type of microorganisms, ultrastructural features. RESULTS: Of a total 68 lesions 32 were bilateral and four unilateral. Forty four (65%) were mild (Type I) and the remaining 24 (35%) moderate (Type 11). Infective agents were isolated from 37 (54%) lesions; pure growth ofCandidaspp andStaph. aureuswas noted in nine lesions each; a mixed growth of the two in I I, beta‐haemolytic streptococci in three and a mixed flora including coliforms in the other five.Candidaspp were present in one control, beta‐haemolytic streptococci in two and coliforms in four others. Scanning etectron microscopy revealed natural topography of the angular skin with sparse colonisation by bacteria and yeasts.CONCLUSIONS: Angular cheilitis in Southern Chinese seems to be characterised by a milder clinical presentation and classic infective agents of the disease:Candidaspp and Staph.