Lips dry and sore for my 7 year old son

[ushapriyarajesh]

Hi,

I have a 7 year old son and he has been having a tough time for the past 3 years with dry and cracked, sores and blisters. It all started when he went to Arizona in 2007 in the hot weather. Then he went to India and stayed for one year where the conditions are worsen. It's been 3 years and his lips are getting better , but getting worse. I can send the pictures any dermatologist docter, any help is much appreciated. We did all the allergey test etc, no one is able to find out what the probelm is. Please someone help.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The symptoms are suggestive of cheilitis and contact dermatitis. Firstly,It can be due to vit B deficiency. Give some vitamin B complex for some days and see if his 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. Treatment is by topical steroids or oral therapy of corticosteroids in severe cases. Topical creams like tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream are also useful. They are available under prescription and hence please get an evaluation done from a dermatologist. Till that time, ensure to apply vaseline or Aveeno lip balm daily.

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.

[martikadragoon]

Have they tried having you use lipbalm on him daily?

Aveno and Vaseline have great products. If his lips are moistened and a barrier method (the vaseline or petroleum product) is put on it holds the moisture in and the dry arid air out.

TTYL
Cindie
Martikadragoon CL Dermatology