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Recurring redness around lips
About 2 months ago, I went to visit my physician regarding a problem I had with a ring of redness around my lips - more prominent on my bottom lip - it was a lighter, tender pink shade and kind of looked like I had been drinking lots of red kool-aid. I also had constant dry, cracked and bleeding lips, and tried everything from drinking plenty of water and making sure I wasn't licking them. I didn't have any other visual symptoms, but I did have a combination of a burning/numbness feeling on my lips.
The doctors did some bloodwork to check my vitamin levels which all came back fine and instructed me to try an OTC cream like Abreva, as they thought it might be a cold sore (which I never had in the past either). Two weeks later, I scheduled a follow up appointment, as the redness and severe chapping was still there.
The second time, they prescribed an Acylovir tablet and Zovirax cream for oral herpes. All this seemed to do was irritate my entire mouth. My lips swelled up and felt like they were shot up with novicaine. After the 10 day period of using the medication, I noticed the chapness went away, but the bright red ring around my lips is still there. Some days it's more prominent than others and my lips tend to dry out now and then, but I'm trying to avoid putting any sort of ointment/chapstick on them in the event that something coming in contact with the lips is irritating them further.
I've included a recent photo (not the best quality) that shows my bottom lip and my lip line is no longer definitive. I have set up an appointment with a dermatologist a few weeks from now, but I'm still trying to get some clarity on what might be causing this. I've had people suggest everything from a fungal/bacterial infection, cold sores/oral herpes, allergies, vitamin deficiencies, etc. Nothing in my daily activities has really changed for the past several years, so I'm concerned about the sudden onset, and how this problem has persisted for almost 2 months now.
Has anyone else experienced something like this?
The doctors did some bloodwork to check my vitamin levels which all came back fine and instructed me to try an OTC cream like Abreva, as they thought it might be a cold sore (which I never had in the past either). Two weeks later, I scheduled a follow up appointment, as the redness and severe chapping was still there.
The second time, they prescribed an Acylovir tablet and Zovirax cream for oral herpes. All this seemed to do was irritate my entire mouth. My lips swelled up and felt like they were shot up with novicaine. After the 10 day period of using the medication, I noticed the chapness went away, but the bright red ring around my lips is still there. Some days it's more prominent than others and my lips tend to dry out now and then, but I'm trying to avoid putting any sort of ointment/chapstick on them in the event that something coming in contact with the lips is irritating them further.
I've included a recent photo (not the best quality) that shows my bottom lip and my lip line is no longer definitive. I have set up an appointment with a dermatologist a few weeks from now, but I'm still trying to get some clarity on what might be causing this. I've had people suggest everything from a fungal/bacterial infection, cold sores/oral herpes, allergies, vitamin deficiencies, etc. Nothing in my daily activities has really changed for the past several years, so I'm concerned about the sudden onset, and how this problem has persisted for almost 2 months now.
Has anyone else experienced something like this?
im going through the same thing.. I am 31 never had this problem before but just woke up and my lips were so chapped. It was uncomfortable but I cant for the life of me figure out what the hell it is! lol.. meanwhile I have a new boyfriend who is going to shun me probably.. JK but it is embarrassing. I went to the dr. and she gave me edinol cream? said that should knock it out, but it was 300$ .. I luckily found a coupon online so I got it for 35$.. just started that but I read some home remedies that worked for me kinda. Listerine worked. it knocks out the bacteria. it stings at first but my lips weren't chapped this morning. just shows the red marks where I have been picking or irritated. I got vitamin d pills too bc someone said it could be vitamin d deficiency. my dr. said dry Benadryl at night too.. I feel like I did NOT get a definitive answer at the dr. so im just trying all these different things. Guess Ill stock up on vitamin b 12 too.. but also noticed someone saying could be allergic reaction to b12.. I drink those energy drinks with b12 in them. (the starbucks refreshers etc) hope im not allergic to that now. MAKE THIS LIP GO AWAY!
Hi.
I have the exact same problem you've described.
Sudden onset of:
Swollen Lips
Red Patches on Lips, Extending to Exterior Area
Severely Itchy
Cracks at Corners of Mouth
Discoloration of Lips in which they become Lighter in Color around the Red Patches
No Sores in Mouth
No Sore Throat
Consistently Dry Feeling - as though nothing (literally) can be absorbed by my lips
Red Ring Surrounding Edges of Lips
I don't know what to do. This happened very suddenly, without any changes in lifestyle. I do not smoke, do not drink, and have not changed anything I've done, on a regular basis, for at least several years.
I'm embarassed to be seen in public and so far, nothing I have tried has worked.
I will try B12 and post.
I have the exact same problem you've described.
Sudden onset of:
Swollen Lips
Red Patches on Lips, Extending to Exterior Area
Severely Itchy
Cracks at Corners of Mouth
Discoloration of Lips in which they become Lighter in Color around the Red Patches
No Sores in Mouth
No Sore Throat
Consistently Dry Feeling - as though nothing (literally) can be absorbed by my lips
Red Ring Surrounding Edges of Lips
I don't know what to do. This happened very suddenly, without any changes in lifestyle. I do not smoke, do not drink, and have not changed anything I've done, on a regular basis, for at least several years.
I'm embarassed to be seen in public and so far, nothing I have tried has worked.
I will try B12 and post.
1 Comments
Did the B12 work?
Hi , I really have a problem with my lower lip for 2 years now. its partly red but I don't drink, no smoking, not HIV positive end have tried several medication as prescribed by the doctors but only in vein. please can you help me on this because I don't understand what the problem is
What was the result of your "patch test" ?
In 4/2014 I had red swollen lips & a bit of red around the mouth. Tried all the ointments, creams, antibiotics, prednisone, cortisone, viral, etc. Nothing helped; it just finally faded away.
1/2015, the same red lips reoccurred with a larger red surrounding the mouth, which began extending up to the nose & down to the chin. Then, a 1-1/2" red stripe appeared on the front of my neck and blotchy chest. Also, my sinuses became totally blocked & the only way I could breath was to sniff & spit out mucus ( Sorry for disgusting description.) After all that, it started to disappearing,
I woke up one morning & it was all back in red living color. I freaked! Of course by the time I went to the allergist & dermatologist, it faded. They do not know cause or remedy.
I'm sending dermatologist a copy of a number of people's posts. I'll try the B12 & see.
Has anyone had the red neck & chest in addition to the lips or sinus problems?
In 4/2014 I had red swollen lips & a bit of red around the mouth. Tried all the ointments, creams, antibiotics, prednisone, cortisone, viral, etc. Nothing helped; it just finally faded away.
1/2015, the same red lips reoccurred with a larger red surrounding the mouth, which began extending up to the nose & down to the chin. Then, a 1-1/2" red stripe appeared on the front of my neck and blotchy chest. Also, my sinuses became totally blocked & the only way I could breath was to sniff & spit out mucus ( Sorry for disgusting description.) After all that, it started to disappearing,
I woke up one morning & it was all back in red living color. I freaked! Of course by the time I went to the allergist & dermatologist, it faded. They do not know cause or remedy.
I'm sending dermatologist a copy of a number of people's posts. I'll try the B12 & see.
Has anyone had the red neck & chest in addition to the lips or sinus problems?
What was the result of your "patch test" ?
In 4/2014 I had red swollen lips & a bit of red around the mouth. Tried all the ointments, creams, antibiotics, prednisone, cortisone, viral, etc. Nothing helped; it just finally faded away.
1/2015, the same red lips reoccurred with a larger red surrounding the mouth, which began extending up to the nose & down to the chin. Then, a 1-1/2" red stripe appeared on the front of my neck and blotchy chest. Also, my sinuses became totally blocked & the only way I could breath was to sniff & spit out mucus ( Sorry for disgusting description.) After all that, it started to disappearing,
I woke up one morning & it was all back in red living color. I freaked! Of course by the time I went to the allergist & dermatologist, it faded. They do not know cause or remedy.
I'm sending dermatologist a copy of your comments. I'll try the B12 & see. Has anyone had the neck & chest or sinus problems?
In 4/2014 I had red swollen lips & a bit of red around the mouth. Tried all the ointments, creams, antibiotics, prednisone, cortisone, viral, etc. Nothing helped; it just finally faded away.
1/2015, the same red lips reoccurred with a larger red surrounding the mouth, which began extending up to the nose & down to the chin. Then, a 1-1/2" red stripe appeared on the front of my neck and blotchy chest. Also, my sinuses became totally blocked & the only way I could breath was to sniff & spit out mucus ( Sorry for disgusting description.) After all that, it started to disappearing,
I woke up one morning & it was all back in red living color. I freaked! Of course by the time I went to the allergist & dermatologist, it faded. They do not know cause or remedy.
I'm sending dermatologist a copy of your comments. I'll try the B12 & see. Has anyone had the neck & chest or sinus problems?
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