Severe chapped lips or peeling lips

[tvfreak]

I'm am a 30yr old male. I've been having problems with my lips for quite sometime. At least 10+ yrs or longer. The problem is my lips starts to peel. The out layer of the skin just starts to come off. I don't notice any inflammation or any unusual rashes on my lips. It's that every other day or so, my lip especially the bottom part of my lip slowly start shedding or peeling. I literally have to use a nail clipper to cut some part of it off so that when I do put some chap stick on it won't look like i have peeling skin coming off my lips. I've been to the Doctors regarding this, but it seems there's nothing they can do with my problem. They just tell me to drink water and use chap stick; Other than that there's nothing much they can do. Although I haven't seen a dermatologist regarding this matter. I wished my doctor suggested it to be, but I felt if he didn't suggest it to me there must me nothing I can to to alleviate this constant problem.  
I do have to use chap stick because my lips does become dry. I use chap stick every night before I go to bed.
I also notice if i'm using chap stick it accelerates the peeling of my lips in which some ways is good because then I can use the nail clipper to take of most of the skin. But this is a CONSTANT problem of mine.
I do drink plenty of water and my diet is pretty decent. I drink at least 3 to four 17 ounce water bottles a day, if not more. I do have food allergies and regular all year round allergies.
If there is anyone on here than can suggest something that would be great.
Thanks.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Firstly, It can be due to vit B deficiency. Take some vitamin B complex for some days and see if your 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. 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.

Hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries. Warm regards.

[tvfreak]

well I will give the vit b a try first. How long should I take the vit b supplement before I see some improvements?