Hello, I am a non-smoker. Recently, part of my bottom lip has changed from its original pink color to black, forming a long dark mark across the middle of it. Today, I've noticed a small fissure right in the middle of the lip when I opened my mouth wide trying to eat. I also feel a burning sensation when I lick my lip. But since it started, I haven't necessarily licked my lips more than usual, and licking my lips was never an issue in terms of dehydration. The skin of my lips also looks stretched, with a glossy appearance when I don't constantly moisturize them - something I didn't have to do so frequently prior to that - now I have petroleum jelly or chapstick applied almost 24 hrs a day and still see no improvement. The outside of the lining of my lips have also have felt itchy, dryer than the rest of the skin on my face; especially around the corners. (see attached picture).
I am afraid it might be Cheilitis, or some form of it, but there is no inflammation on my lip and lip darkening wasn't a symptom of Cheilitis when I read about it. My lips also don't resemble any of the images that I see on the internet when I Google Cheilitis. Maybe a mild form of it?
In my quick research, I also realized that Cortisone is a common prescription by doctors for Cheilitis. How would it be applied? Isn't it too dangerous to apply cream on the lips and around the mouth?
Please, any help or insight other than "go see your doctor" would be much appreciated.
Thank you!!!