Lipstick

[Deb9991]

Now, what does lipstick have to do with HCV treatment, you may really wonder. It may sound odd, naturally, of couse. Well, it does have something to do with lipstick.  Lipstick is how I found out about an irksome, little side effect.  One day, as I was darting out of my place, I hurridly swiped lipstick across my lips, and as I did, I just mumbled "ouch" and said "that hurt."  The first time it happened was toward the end of the first week.  It's gotten worse and has started happening more and more, yet, for the most part, my lips don't hurt, only when I put on lipstick.  I checked out my lower lip, where the owie is, and couldn't see anything.  I ran my finger over my lip and it didn't hurt.  I got out a magnifying glass, and then the heavens parted, and I discovered tiny little slits in my lower lip.  Some composition in the paint of the lipstick gets into those tiny little slits, and it stings and hurts.  

Okay, I've heard at least one other person mention sore lips, so I know treatment does effect the skin and soft tissues of the body.  Last week the skin on my arms and legs felt slightly singed, as if I had a bad sunburn.  

I always thought I needed lipstick -- but NOW I REALLY DO.  I am so pale and almost have a ghostly appearance, and I work with the pubic, and I can't go around scaring people.  It seems to get worse and worse -- this lip pain.  Is this common?  I'm starting to fear lipstick now -- I really am.  Those pretty little tubes have taken on a sinister meaning and appearance.   Have any of you looked at yourself in the mirror and thought, "I look so white -- like a specter from some horror movie"?

Well, nothing is going to surprise me with this treatment -- nothing.  Anything could happen.  It's a daily surprise.  I'm prepared for anything.  I've been lucky because I have not suffered physical sickness -- yet -- but it's getting me in other ways, and I knew it would.

Thanks,
Debbie

[billm57]

also proper hydration and moisturization and pH of the skin and mouth is key - dehydration and acid mouth can cause so many problems - i got an oral neutralizer from my dentist - it helps - the active ingriedient is xylitol - so now i buy it in bulk and make my own solution - much less expensive

[cb867]

My dentist told me about vagisil. He said it was a type of yeast infection. Mine was more in the corners of my mouth. It did work I was so sore I would have tried about anything! LOL

[meakea]

Ah, yes, I had the corner mouth cracks and also had cracks at the corners of my eyes and behind my ears.  You've been given great suggestions here.  The only thing I want to emphasize that has already been said is that I had great success using the Bert's Bees products.  I used the lip balm and also the colored "shimmer" to add the color to my pale, pale lips.  

[Diane12855]

A good thriller or at least an adventure......... It IS weird how things change from day to day, week to week, and even hour to hour.

The vagisil helped me with the corner sores. They didn't go away, but they quit hurting, now I'm getting sores inside of my mouth... don't want to put the Vagisil there. it hurts like the devil to brush my teeth, no matter how careful I am.

We'll make it though! Hang in there!

Diane

[Deb9991]

The lips are not chapped -- it is a different feeling and, yes, I did try chap stick, but it was neither here nor there.  I find if I just leave them alone, they are okay -- it is something in the lipstick that is annoying my lips and the the tiny cracks.  And it is really no big deal.  I just find that there are some strange things that can happen to the body on this treatment, as I am sure we've all discovered.  

I drink enough water, so I am well hydrated.  I do wonder what will happen next -- like a good thriller.

Debbie

[Isobella]

OMGosh....y'all are so funnyy!!

That vagisil cure wasn't my idea originally, I swear someone else around here told me about it first.  But I'll own it if only because Bill made it sound so funny, lol!! Amazing the things we'll try when we're misrable.

It worked really well on those cracks in the corners of my lips, tho,  (that just never comes out the way I want it to sound)

I did notice that if I was falling behind my water intake, my lips would start to burn.  I absolutely lived on chapstick and water. (and ice cream)  That seems to be the one thing that I still notice, if I am beginning to be slightly dehydrated, my lips start to hurt. So, maybe in addition to the Vagisil/chapstick salve, try increasing your water intake.

Good luck to you,

Isobella

[GSDgirl]

Berts Bees chapstick makes a red tinted item and it does soften and tint the lips.

[RobertBeWell]

Why don't you just put some chap stick on them :-)

Feminine hygiene products on the lips? Weird-o-rama.

[Deb9991]

I deserve to walk on broken glass...in the pubic square.

d

[Bill1954]

ROFL! My mind works awfully slowly sometimes… I had to reread that a dozen times before I saw it. You *are* good, Eureka :)!

--Bill

[Deb9991]

Well, Dave, that is what I'm going to do.  I'll just put it under the lipstick and just hope that the lipstick doesn't run down my chin and up to my nose in pinkish lines.  I'll try it and hope for the best.  I swear, all these complications with treatment!  

Yes, this will one day be over.  

You know, it's been said that it is the little things that trip you up in life, and it is true.

Deb

[Deb9991]

Heehee!!!  Oh, you are good eureka!  What an awful typo.  Since treatment, I need to be careful and re-read what I have written because I've mistakenly said a couple, or so, horrible, embarassing things.

Deb

[Deb9991]

Oh, praise the Lord, I've got the Crud!  It sounds like VD...well, it does, some horrible kind.  I don't know whether to laugh or cry.  

I'll try the vagisil.  Here's a secret, I've already used it in a couple of places that itched and burned real bad, and it worked -- great stuff.  I'll be real careful in public putting it on though.  I'll go into a bathroom stall, and put it on there.  

So, treatment has reduced me and many others to sneaking around to take care of ours sides.  These are the things I never heard about.  Oh, joy!  What's next?

As always Bill, thanks for your suggestion -- it's a good one.

deb

[spectda]

Maybe you can put some vagisil under the lipstick! My friends were visiting this weekend and said I looked good. They took some pics that I looked at and I said to them that I look like death, what are you talking about! they all laughed at me.

What do we do deb, at least I can hide at home. Do your best and soon enough they will be in the past anyway when you come back to ca to live and we can all have a hcv alumni lunch.

Take Care,
Dave

[eureka254]

"I am so pale and almost have a ghostly appearance, and I work with the pubic, and I can't go around scaring people"

Funny typo especially in light of Bill's comment :).

[Bill1954]

Ah gosh Deb- you’re getting the skin crud. I got splits on the ends of my fingers badly enough it was hard to hold a pen or pencil, and even typing got to be painful for a while. This stuff can do really strange things to our skin.

On the bright side, by skin problems self resolved over a period of several months, and never became a debilitating issue. Others have struggled for much longer, so I don’t know exactly what to tell you.

Isabella in here used Vagisil of all things on her sore lips. I know, I know, but she said it worked for her. You might try other OTC things first, and see if they give any relief. As you work in the public eye, and if you decide Vagisil works for you, don’t become complacent and start applying it in public; it might draw some strange glances in the mall :o).

Good luck, gal—

--Bill