Red rash on lower lip / vermilion border

I have a red rash under my lower lip on the vermilion border. It's been here for about 6 months already. My dermatologist said it's lip licker's dermatitis, but I don't lick my lips a lot. He prescribed me hydrocortisone and other medications, nothing seems to work. Its almost lik a thin red line under my lip, connected to my lip. Similar to lip liner. Anyone have any advice on what this might be, or how to get rid of it?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I agree with your doctor that it can be lip licker’s dermatitis. It does not mean that you lick the lips, but it is due to that redness or erythema around the lips is common in lip lickers and hence the term. Treatment consists of topical and oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. A mild soap or soap substitute, such as Dove or Cetaphil should be used for washing. Scrubbing should be avoided.

If the symptoms are not controlled by topical antibiotics, then oral antibiotics may be needed. Please consult your dermatologist and discuss this with him.
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 dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[lonestar6201]

I heard that after you stop licking your lips, the redness should go away. I have not licked my lips in over two months, and this line is stil here, and my bottom lip looks kinda swollen. My doctor never told me about using antibiotics, he only prescribed me with numerous kinds off creams, such as hydrocortisone 2.5 %, protopic, promise B. What kind of anti bitoics should I tell him about? Thanks for the help.

[lonestar6201]

If you want me to send you a picture , so you might better understand the situation, just let me know your email adress.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
In lip licker’s dermatitis, antibiotics like tetracyclines, erythromycin and metronidazole can be taken but they are used in severe cases. Please consult your dermatologist before using them. All the correspondance has to be through the site and according to the rules and regulations of the forum.

I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and regards.

[lonestar6201]

Do you think there's anything else that can be done to help get rid of this? Its been here for several months, and still no improvements. Anything besides the anti-biotics ?

[naveen200]

There is also a condition called exfoliative chelitis.  here you have redness around vermillion border along with swelling, wrinkles and dryness and this normally happens becz of stress + fungal infection + smoking.  If your condition is something like this you may need topical steriod and antifungal application for 15-20 days  + No smoking.  If this doesnt work and ur doctor cannot diagnose, try having a biopsy and that should confirm what the problem is.

keep me informed by mail to ***@****

regards
Naveen sunkada