Yellow crust on lips

[SCF506]

For the last two days I have woken up with a yellow, crumbly crust covering my lips. I have been applying Vaseline liberally, and while that helps keeps my lips nice and moist, I still have this crust developing and I often feel as though my lips are weeping or sweating.

Is this an infection? If it is, will I need a prescription for an antibiotic cream or is there one I can get OTC? It started off as regular chapped lips, but I think the chap is largely gone now thanks to the Vaseline. I sometimes feel like they are burning a little too.

My lips itch slightly around the outside too. It looks as though there may be some very small raised bumps on my lips, with no heads or anything, like it's a rash - but I'm not sure. It certainly doesn't look like cold sores. I and my  boyfriend were tested for all STD's recently and came up clear, but I may go to a clinic to get herpes ruled out just to ease my mind. I would have seen a doc about this already but I am overseas right now so it's tricky.

Stats:
Age - 19
Non-smoker
History of eczema, but not on or around the face, and not seen for years
I don't lick my lips, I use Chap Stick quite a lot because I do get chapped lips easily
Iron deficiency runs in family, but is usually not a problem for me because I include lots of iron and Vit-C in my diet
As far as I know, I'm perfectly healthy otherwise and haven't been ill in months.

[zabbylyn]

My lips have been doing the same! They're really red and chapped. I apply chapstick every few minutes which has helped but it's been going on for about 2 weeks. I wake up in the morning and have to peel a yellow crust off the side of my mouth. What is it called?

[PainfulLips]

Thanks so much for posting exfoliative chelitis. This is exactly what I'm experiencing. I'm strying the antibotic ointment and cortizone.

[PainfulLips]

I just started having this drama! OMG it is awful. I'm having the same exact symptoms as I have read above. When I google IMPETIGO however, (especially the pictures), I'm convinced that IMPETIGO is not what is happening on my lips. EXFOLIATIVE CHELITIS is more of what is happening. My doctor did prescribe a type of cortizone and an OTC antibotic. When I googled EXFOLIATIVE CHELITIS, it helped me identify that I haven't been taking my multi-vitamins in over a month and the fact that I am peri-menapausal and current having a lot of hot flashes. My lips are getting better slowly.

[Sujeco]

Currently going through this problem now. I have tried polysporin...made it worse. Now my entire upper lip is inflamed, weeping, and crusty. I have tried everything except what you used. I have gone to doctors and they don't know what it is...they did give me a prescription, pills to be taken in a day but didn't work. Will try the cream and post up an update. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[giamaria]

I use to have this problem for the longest time. Through out my school years, since 2nd grade. I moved from Colorado to a tropical island, and the heat did not help my skin conditions. I also have eczema. And am almost resigned to have it forever. I am already 25 years old. Thankfully my lips do not have this problem. This is so helpful!  I wish I read this years ago. My lips use to have the same problem but three or four years ago, they started clearing up and getting better. Also I noticed when my dental care went up, my lip problem is gone. I don't know if the bacteria in the mouth is linked to the cause of this? But once I cleared out all of the cavities in my teeth, my lips have gotten way better. Also I have five siblings, and we are very close, and eat from the same spoon, or drink from the same cup, but only 2 out 5 of us have this problem. My other 3 siblings do not get cracked weeping lips. Also since my lips have cleared up my dating life has drastically improved, and am able to kiss or make out with my bf. I guess what I'm saying is I don't believe that this is contagious? Because by now all of my siblings would have this infection. I also don't think its herpes, because I had this problem since I was a little girl, and before I was sexually active. My sister also has this problem up to now. And she has dental issues. My lips have been cleared for the past 4 years, with minimum breakout. I noticed that brushing my teeth does dry out my lips, but drinking alot of water helps, or I use carmax lip balm. Thanks everone for posting. I always was curious of what I had, and always thought that my sister and I were the only ones with this problem. She has eczema too.

[mjreyes]

Hi guys. I have the same condition as the ones you've mentioned for appx. 2 weeks now. I got this problem when I dabbed alcohol on my lips which severely damaged them. haha. My father told me to use Medicated Chapstick for my severely chapped lips but it didn't help my lips heal but instead developed the yellow crust. The skin on the corners of my mouth also kept cracking. Sometimes I cried because of the pain. My father suggested to bring me to the hospital but I rejected because I was afraid of what the doctors (I had a bad experience with them) would make me put on my lips. So I researched on the internet for natural cures (because I don't like using commercial products). I found that honey was a good antiseptic/antibacterial and helps the skin recover faster. Also it's a good moisturizer. So I tried it. I used a q-tip to dab the honey into my lips and the corners of my mouth. It may sting a little at first. Wait for 10-15 mins and rinse away. Immediately after using, the pain disappeared and my lips became smooth and were not that swollen anymore. Then I applied my organic moisturizer and sunflower oil for vit E to the corners of my mouth and organic lip balm on my lips. My lips felt really great. A little sting will come back in a while though because the lips will quickly absorb the organic stuff I put so all I had to do was reapply them. But don't forget to wash ur hands first. This so far is my 2nd day following the treatment and it has shown great results just by using cheap but natural stuff. I think everything only cost less than $11! Also, try drinking wheat grass because it helps a lot in eliminating toxins and lots of water to hydrate the body. Hope this could help you guys. :)