Upper lip skin keeps peeling off..

Hi, the skin on my upper lip keeps on peeling off, its a circular are in the middle of the upper lip. this happens every week and a half or so. Without even messing with it, just comes off. It's more prone to come off if my lips get wet.
I asked my doctor but she didn't really know the cause and stated that i should see my dentist about it, as it may be a dental infection.
Please help as I've had this problem for years now and it feels as if soon enough my lips are going to wear out because its becoming really sensitive.
Thanks

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
These symptoms can be due to cheilitis or actinic cheilitis. In actinic cheilitis, there is thickening whitish discoloration of the lip at the border of the lip and skin. 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 blood test like RAST.
I suggest you to get it seen from a dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[fahim63]

Thank you very much. I'm actually happy to know that this is an actual disease, I was starting to think I was the only one with it. As I said, I went to my local Doctor and she had no idea but taking your advice I will consult my problem with a dermatologist and see if they could help me.
Once again thank you, I have been having this problem for years now and it really does get in the way sometimes.