Topical Hydrocortisone Damaged Lips

Hi,

I had a symmetrical rash in the moustache area that was diagnosed as Seborrheic Dermatitis. Topical Nizoral didn't seem to be working, so I applied Topical Hydrocortisone for about 6 days to the moustache area.

I became very worried as I noticed my lips seemed to be "disappearing" or turning into normal skin, and the clear border that defined them previously had now become this spotted, faded thing. It has been two and a half months now since stopping the hydrocortisone and my lips have not returned to how they were. I am extremely worried. Here is the best picture I could take with my camera:

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~boxter/lips.jpg

The only other information I have is that I was using a lip balm (chapsticks) which I discovered has petrolatum or white petroleum jelly or some other petrochemical in it (something that I know is an irritant to my skin). I stopped using that about 2 weeks ago and that hasn't improved things either.

The local GPs are pretty much clueless and dermatologists take 3 months to see, and even then I don't know if they will know any more than the GPs. Do you have any idea why it has changed my lips like this?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think your lips look fine.  The vermilion border (between lips and skin) is often a little blurred.  You most likely never looked closely at it before.

You can't thin the skin with hydrocortisone after 6 months much less 6 days.  If the seborrhea returns, I'd use it again.

The less you think about this, the better off you'll be,

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff