Badly chapped lips, seems to be weeping pus... what is it?

[SCF506]

I get chapped lips quite a lot, and they've been a little worse for the last couple of weeks - I assume it's because I sit in front of a fan (and in AC) most of the day and it's probably wind chap.

However, I woke up in the middle of the night about two nights ago gnawing on my lip, I guess it was itchy. When I got up the next morning part of my lips were covered in a yellow-ish crust, like they had been weeping pus. It still hasn't gone away, and I can feel my lips weeping a little.

I've thought about what I might've done differently the last couple of days and have come up with two things. One is that I used a facial soap in the shower, which I don't usually do. I've used that same brand of facial soap before, but only once or twice, and not for a few months. The other is that I performed oral sex on my boyfriend while he was wearing a condom, and I usually do it when he isn't wearing one. That makes me think that perhaps it's a local latex allergy? I've never had reactions to latex before though, on my lips or otherwise. I don't believe it's an STD since we have both been tested in the last 6 months and were clear for everything.

I've been applying Vaseline liberally all day and I always have a Chap Stick on me. I'm wondering if it's worth buying some antihistamines in case it is an allergy (I'm also allergic to a lot of fruit and raw vegetables, as well as fish and shellfish - but not nuts), and/or an antibiotic in case an infection got in the chap and that's what's causing the weeping.

Any suggestions would be great.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Since when are you having the symptoms? What is your age? Do you smoke?

You should not lick your lips and also do not use a soap - it causes drying.

Some causes of the symptoms you mention, could be lip biting, lip licking, Vit.B2 deficiency, smoking, overexposure to sun and ill fitting dentures. In extreme cases, this could be due to bacterial or fungal skin infection.

You need to drink plenty of water daily – around 1.5 – 3 litres per day and eat a balanced diet. Do not keep your lips dry; apply lip balm which contains sunscreen – preferably a medicated one.

If you have cracks at the corner of your mouth it indicates B2 deficiency in this case you need to take B2 supplements.

If the symptoms still persist, consult your skin specialist or dermatologist.

Let us know about how you are doing and if you have any other doubts.

Regards.

[SCF506]

Regular lip chapping I've had for years. These new symptoms have only been around since yesterday morning. I'm 19 and I don't smoke.

I don't have any cracks at the corners of my mouth, it seems to be localised around the plumper part of my bottom lip and part of the right upper lip. I don't tend to lick my lips because I always have a Chap Stick handy to take care them. That I woke up chewing my lip the other night was very unusual.

As far as I know the only deficiency I've ever experienced is an iron deficiency which runs in my family. I haven't taken supplements for it in a very long time because I generally get enough iron and Vitamin C from my diet, but I wonder if that has anything to do with it? I might try B2 supplements though.

I do have a history of eczema but that hasn't cropped up for years. I know it can come and go but I have never had it anywhere near my face before.

I'm hoping this will calm down in the next day or two, if not I may take myself to a doctor. I'm overseas at the moment so I can't go to my regular doc, I will have to double check to see if my travel insurance will allow me to see a specialist but I highly doubt it.

[SCF506]

Any comments on this?

As an update, I got up this morning and my lips were covered in the yellow crust again. The Vaseline seems to have helped a lot with keeping the moisture in, I don't feel like my lips are dry or chapped anymore, but I definitely feel as though they are "weeping" something - most probably pus - and I have no idea what this is.

I softened the crust with Vaseline this morning, waited about five minutes, and then all the crust came off when I rubbed a facecloth lightly over my lips. Reapplied the Vaseline, about 5 minutes later I feel as though my lips are dripping (secretion of more pus?) ... patted them dry with a bit of paper towel, more Vaseline. What on earth is going on?

[alash]

hi
i am facing the same problem for the past 3 days. on top of that i have a throat infection that gives me fevers and gingitivity where my gums are swollen and i don't feel like eating anything!
i thought it would pass but today i took some antibiotic and applied antiseptic gel.
what happened to u? did it get cleared out?

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

This could be a part of Cheilitis, which is a medical condition involving inflammation of the lip. Or a bad
case of Chapped lips , a condition whereby the lips become dry and possibly cracked. It may be cause
by the evaporation of moisture.

Lip balm can often provide temporary relief, though it should not be used extensively.  One should avoi
licking their lips as saliva contains the enzyme amylase, which can damage the already compromised
lip tissue.
Honey can be used on the lips as a natural remedy.


Cheilitis is associated with many conditions from Vitamin B12 deficiency, iron deficiency anemia - as in your case, be a
symptom of allergies.can also be caused by taking the (retinoid) drug Isotretinoin (brand name
Roaccutane).

Applying protective paraffin-based ointment (such as Vaseline) or lip balms to the lips is normally very
effective. Also take Vitamin B supplements.

If nothing works you can have a biopsy done to find out the cause.
ref:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapped_lips

Some causes of the symptoms you mention, could be lip biting, lip licking, Vit.B2 deficiency, smoking,
overexposure to sun and ill fitting dentures. In extreme cases, this could be due to bacterial or fungal
skin infection.

You need to drink plenty of water daily – around 1.5 – 3 litres per day and eat a balanced diet. Do not
keep your lips dry; apply lip balm which contains sunscreen – preferably a medicated one.

If the symptoms still persist, consult your skin specialist or dermatologist.

Let us know about how you are doing and if you have any other doubts.

Regards.