Help, can't figure out what is wrong.

[Love55]

I have a rash on my lips(mouth) for almost 2 years. No one can seem to diagnose or find a cure for it. They claim eczema, but they seem to use this for eveything they don't know whats it is. I don't believe this eczema, it is not in the family I have never had this problem, and in a rare are the lips. I have done every test know to man, and the following have been ruled out, virus, herpes, fungal, yeast, perioral dermatitis, etc..  Keep getting staph infections from the issue, have taken antibiotics doxicyclin, bactrim ds, and famvir for viral, used cortisones creams, elidel creams, yeast/fungal cream, vaseline, taken vitamins, oral predisone. Nothing is wokring. My lips get sore, dry , start to get little bumps on them, gets a little crusty, gets inflamed and irritated. Tests have been done for autoimmune diseases, Thyroid, blood work, all seems to be negative.
Any ideas what else it could be or tests that should be run? How do I cure?

[Love55]

Thank you for the update, I am going to have a biopsy next week. I have tried everything you noted above. I do not bite my lips or lick them. I have tried taking Vitamin B, I do not smoke, or go in the sun often either nor do I wear dentures. I have never taken accutane. I barely use makeup  and constantly use vaseline/aquaphor. I excercise, watch my diet, and drink water.  My symptoms have been persisting for 2 years and no doctor wants to help they keep pushing me off on others and never resolving the problem. Frustrating and irritating as you are suppose to trust the medical doctors and you go to them to seek help but all I get is no answers and treated like I am craxy when I know there is something worng with me and it is not normal.
Getting desperate now, want to try to have a baby but worried about everythign I continue to ou on my lips(cortisone/elidel) an then get staph infections were I ahve to take oral antibiotics. I am so worried I wil have a screwed up baby.
What do I do?

[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 caused by the evaporation of moisture.

Lip balm can often provide temporary relief, though it should not be used extensively.  One should avoid 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, 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.