Lip Problem

[Trish3718]

I am 40 years old and have a problem with my lips! Help! Its been reoccuring for the past 3 months.  They crack at the corners and nothing seems to help what ever is causing it - to go away.  I can trace the first occurance back to few days after soaking in what turned out to be a not so "hot" hot tub -could this be it?  My lips, when the cracks heal, look like a little childs lips who has been licking them too much!  ie the pigmintation extends past where it should be and it appears sore.  I have been to the Dr...he suggested cortaid and lanicane...the lanicane helped a bit.  I have tried everything over the counter available.  They are not blisters..my daughter seems to have "caught" this from me - but its not as bad on her.  She is 9 years old.  My boyfriend who was in the hot tub with me and whom I kiss alot more than my daughter (!) doesn't have it!  My doctor has told me to go to a dermatologist.  It appears the earliest I can get in to one of them is 3 months! Could this be bacterial?  Could this be a sexually transmitted something???  Its not awful...but its annoying and it doesn't won't to go away.  Please let me know what you think? Any over the counter medicine that may help or some direction to make this thing go away.  Thanks!  Trish :)

[sarahm2009]

A related discussion, Discolored Brown Bottom Lips was started.

[cherry_bourbon]

i have dry, dark and sometimes white-heady discolorations atvthe corners of my lips and under my loweer lip. i have ni idea where they come from or what might have  caused them. i tried cleansing and moisturizing but it doesnt work. i am hesistant to try any medication . please help!! they look horrible; like stains!

[mlpski]

I too have had a lip problem for the last 2 1/2 weeks.  My lips have been red, swollen and very painful.  The doctor is not sure what it is and has me on multiple medications that don't seem to be working (Zyrtec, Zantac & Prednisone).  I'm not sure where to go from here. Anyone have advice?

[bingo]

i too have a discolored lip problem its my upper lip and its a light brownish can someone please help me

[Challice]

Hi can anyone help me with a problem concerning my discolored bottom lip? My lip has a light pink and dark colour, I think it might be because of pigmintation. what can I do to even out the discoloration ?

[Challice]

Hi can anyone help me with a problem concerning my discolored bottom lip? My lip has a light pink and dark colour, I think it might be because of pigmintation. what can I do to even out the discoloration ?

[Callie Doggett]

A vitamin B2 (riboflavin) deficiency can manifest with the same symptoms:  dry, scaling lips and (often painful) cracks in the corners of the mouth.  I'm very prone to this condition.  When my symptoms occur, I eat avocados and take vitamin B2 supplements; witin a few days, the symptoms improve dramatically.

[Dana W.]

I have had a problem with my lips and the corner of my mouth.  For the last six months or so I have had these flare ups first the corner of my mouth will crack and then I will see a few tiny clear bumps that will then cause a red area and peel before healing. I have noticed that they also fell very chapped. I cannot imagine what it is, please help.

[Aimee Lou]

Hi, I had the same problem with cracking at the corners of my mouth.  My derm told me to use 1% hydrocortisone with Lotrimine, which is an anti-fungal cream (both are OTC).  She said using those together usually does the trick.  It cleared my problem right up.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Cracking at the corners of the mouth is called angular stomatitis or cheilitis.  It is rarely if ever herpes or infectious.  Saliva builds up at the corners and causes irritation, sometimes aggravated by yeasts that live in the GI tract (again, not contagious.)  I see no connection with the hot tub.

Till you see the skin doctor, try OTC 1% hydrocortisone and moisturize with vaseline.  Maybe if you call for cancellations, you can get seen sooner.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff