I have a physical discomfort that is trivial compared to the kind of problems that others have. It is still a problem for me and I wonder if there may be a medical reason behind the problem.
My lower lip is constantly chapping/peeling. I use Chap Stick and have used it all of my life. I have had ‘chapped’ lips before in my life, but I have never experienced this before.
For the last few months my lower lip seems to constantly peel. Every other day or so I peel dead or dry skin off of my lower lip. Sometimes it is pretty painful because I am pulling quarter to half inch long pieces of skin off of my lower lip.
I try to stay hydrated and my upper lip doesn’t seem to have the same affliction. I guess I should be grateful that I don’t have the same problem with both of my lips.
You may be a Chapstick addict. Using lip balms too much can cause lip problems. In particular official Chapstick brands have irritants (!) in them to give you a tingle when you apply “so you know it’s working”. Camphor is a big one.
Cheaper brands often have less of these, e.g., ChapIce. Actually finding one without any of the irritants may be difficult.
Note that using balms all the time also makes the skin too soft and fragile which can lead to problems. In general, it’s a good idea to only use them occasionally and aim towards toughening up your lips a bit.
As a physician who treats a lot of skin conditions, I suspect a local dermatitis. I’d suggest getting some hydrocortisone 0.5 or 1.0% ointment and use that two or three times a day and see what happens. It’s available over the counter, but make sure and get the ointment, NOT the cream. Creams dry things out further.
The OP describes a buccal dermatitis, not a perioral one. Also there’s no history given of previous steroid use, which is the usual cause of perioral dermatitis. So based on the description (brief tho it is) I’m assuming a dishydrotic eczema/atopic dermatitis confined to the lower lip itself. Hence my recommendation for very low dose steroids along with the ointment as a moisturizer.
Now if that fails, the OP should consult a physician versed in treating skin conditions, where a more rigorous assessment can be made.
Here’s a typical perioral dermatitis. While it can affect the lips too, it generally involves the non mucosal skin around them far more.
Great question, though. Since the usual treatment for perioral dermatitis is discontinuation of steroids.
One of the laws of dermatology: If they’re not on steroids, put 'em on them. If they’re on steroids, take them off.
Yes. I have found dermatology to be sorta, if it works, It works. If not, stop doing it. The lil’wrekker had some probs with perioral, We finally convinced her to completely stop using anything on her face, including make-up and sunscreen (staying out of the sun). She is finally clearing up, it has taken a month or so.
The truth is I have used Chap Stick all of my life, but until recently a single stick would last for over a year. Only recently have I had to use so much. It doesn’t seem to help as much as it does to lessen the pain of the torn skin a bit. It does seem a bit ironic that it might be contributing to the problem more than fixing it.
Thank you for the link, it does look a lot like my bottom lip.
I discovered that I pretty much can’t use any form of base makeup [you know, the colored stuff you smear all over. I can use lipstick, mascara and some eyeshadows, and kohl] and had breakouts that I would cover up that caused more breakouts - nasty cycle. I finally stopped using any form of make up and my face cleared up. I don’t have wrinkles, eye bags, breakouts other than on my chin [I sleep with my face tucked into my elbow and it is the skin to skin contact overnight that causes issues.] I horrified the esthetician when I went for a facial as part of a spa treatment because I wash my face with whatever soap is on hand, once every couple days I use fresh farmacy on my chin and just plain don’t do any ‘pampering’ or makeup… and oddly people tell me I don’t look my age [56] but look like I am in my mid 40s …
The lil’wrekker is a ‘if alittle works more would be better’ kind of girl. So I have tell her alot to back down some. She just rolls them baby blues at me, but usually complies. Her skin is much better, so once again ’ Momma knows best’ rings true!
Aaaaaaaand if you’ve been using hydrocortisone on it already, you should probably stop. Definitely stop if the ointment does not improve things within 3-5 days, or if it worsens things.
I find myself unconsciously licking and/or biting at my lip when it’s even slightly chapped, which makes the problem exponentially worse. I’m sure you’re already being mindful about messing too much with your lip, but I’ll say it here anyway.
If I very deliberately avoid messing with the lip and use chapstick sparingly (usually just overnight) then the problem tends to go away.
