Lip Allergie

My lips have been extremely itchy for the past couple of months.  I go trhough three phases on my lips.  First the edge of my lips itch then the next day they get so dry that I feel that if I stretch my lips they will crack and bleed.  Then finally the third they peel and then the cycle repeats itself all over again.  My doctor told me I have an allergy but I do not know to what and I have eliminated a lot of things.  I just don't know if it is a food allergy, or something else.  In order to try to relieve the pain I have used hydrocotisone 1%. triamcinolone acetonide, carmax and vaseline.  Somehow this does not go away.  Can someone please help?

[Dr J Singh]

Hello,
Firstly,It can be due to vit B deficiency.Take some vitamin B complex for some days and see if your symptoms improve.
Secondly,it can be due to atopic dermatitis or eczema("Atopic" refers to a group of diseases where there is often an inherited tendency to develop other allergic conditions, such as asthma and hay fever). Cheilitis(Inflammation of the skin on and around the lips)is often seen in atopic dermatitis.Diagnosed by bld test like RAST.Treatment is by topical steroids or oral therapy of corticosteroids in severe cases.Topical creams like tacrolimus ointment (Protopic) and pimecrolimus cream (Elidel) are also useful.

Pls consult a dermatologist and discuss these possibilities.Till then keep your skin and lips moisturized and take adequate fluids throughout the day.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.