Lip

My lips are the problem, ive been encountering some discomfort in my lips for several years now, I had a biopsy done and it revealed nothing but some swollen glands. I experience sore lips after eating certain kinds of food, mostly the ones that contain spices.. then overnight, when i wake up my lips are swollen (no pain but certain discomfort), one of the dermatologists ive seen gave me some shots on steroids (on my very lips) and another told me to use "Ceralip" a lip repair cream from La Roche Posay and ive been relying on that for several years now. I would like to know what the problem might be and if theres any possible permanent solution for it?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Sudden swelling of lips can be found in allergies which can cause angioedema. The symptoms in your case can be due to atopic dermatitis or cheilitis. Cheilitis(Inflammation of the skin on and around the lips)is often seen in atopic dermatitis. Diagnosed by blood 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.

Please discuss these possibilities with your doctor.
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.