Suggest Treatment For Peeling Skin In The Lower Lip

Posted on Thu, 23 Mar 2017

Question: Hello doctor,

This is XXXX. I have always had dry lips with sometime a sensation of plastic attached to my lower lip or sometimes flaky peeling skin for which I have been using Vaseline original for a long time in large amounts in night and at day time whenever I feel dry . Now for the past two days I have had red and sore in my mid centre of lower lip it looks red when I stretch my lip I am able to see four dots or minute pinpoint nodules but when I touched them it's not seem to be bumpy and the sensation is that of a one when your skin is completly peeled and the inner raw skin when you touch it might hurt . Other than that why're I stretch no sensation except for feeling dry . I have attached pics for your reference please help me I am scared if this is herpes I have taken a test six months ago and both came negative .

Answered by Dr. R.G. Joshi (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Probably herpes, Acyclovir cream will help.

Detailed Answer:
Hello, thanks for writing to HealthcareMagic.
I've reviewed the images and I can understand your concern.

In my opinion lesions probably suggest herpes simplex infection.

However it is mild and you need not to panic.

You can simply apply Acyclovir cream over the lesions or may take oral Acyclovir under the guidance of a dermatologist.

Avoid sun exposure as far as possible and stay relaxed.

I hope this will help you. In case of any further concern, i will be happy to help you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. R.G. Joshi (12 minutes later)

But I don't have any pain or itching with it . Also there is no swelling . Also when I see close to the mirror it looks like two fissure lines and there is no bump . How can it be . In every photo I try to take the redness is shown in different angles .
It passed on by kissing and sharing used objects of anyone who had but I did not do that . So how can I get have

I did not have any burning or tingling sensation before getting this bump . It was just dry lips . Also I checked my results three months ago it's was normal I mean negative . Even now I don't have pain . How is having passed

Also I forgot to tell you first there was a small fissure like in the other side of lip ( right side of the centre of lip) and then today the redness is in this side of lip( left side of the centre of lip) . No burning no pain no itching no tingling before this could appear and even now

Answered by Dr. R.G. Joshi (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
chelitis, fucidic acid cream, lip balm with sunscreen.

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Thanks for follow up.

I have reviewed images more in detalied and I'm sorry for my first answer.

After careful study images probably point towards chelitis. It is inflammation of lips occurring in dry lips leading to fissures and cracks.

Sun exposure, habit of lip licking with tongue(due to dryness, keeping it moist) etc. can produce such fissures.

It will be better if you try to avoid sun-light as much as possible. Avoid licking the lips, if at all you do .

A lip balm containing sunscreen will be more helpful for you. It will prevent dryness and sun exposure.You can apply an antiboitic cream over fissures like Fusidic acid. Apply it two times daily for four to five days and continue use of lip balms. Blistex lip balm is a product with good results.

Images and this later history narrated by you does not point towards herpes, so please stay relaxed .

I hope this will help you.
Thanks.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. R.G. Joshi (14 minutes later)

Hello doctor,

Can I be sure that the second answer you gave is correct or were you just giving me the answer that I wanted to hear . Please let me know . I do have slight discomfort when I touch that part of lip though.

I am sending you the pic I have taken just now here the redness is totally differing to the one I sent you earlier so as I said each time I take the picture looks different

Answered by Dr. R.G. Joshi (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Cheilitis, stay calm.

Detailed Answer:
Hello, thanks for following up.

It seems to be Cheilitis. Slight discomfort is because of fissures. I'd advice you to start the antiboitic cream and observe the lesions for 2 to 3 days. In case if it is progressive, we can change the treatment. Please try to stay relax as much as possible. I hope this will help you.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. R.G. Joshi (21 minutes later)

Doctor I don't have the antibiotic cream tonight so can I continue with Vaseline will it make it more worse also can I apply honey or castor oil or coconut il. Can Vaseline make situation more worse . Because for last two days whenever I apply Vaseline and remove it the redness is more brightened and it take sometime to settle down in its colour wise appearance that's why.

Answered by Dr. R.G. Joshi (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Antibiotic cream will work.

Detailed Answer:
Hi thanks for follow up.

Yes,vaselline ,castor oil ,honey etc all will aggravate the situation.It will be better to apply antibiotic cream only for few days.It will be also important not to peel off skin since it can cause more harm.

Hope it will be helpful.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana