Lips with yellow crust

[Mark2234]

I have discovered that when don't put on any Chapstick for about half-an-hour my lips tend to get really dry, to the point where yellow liquid would . I've been having this problem since June and haven't been healed yet. When I went to my doctor, he said that everything was normal, and it would get better "soon." Though I don't know what soon meant, he told me that he could prescribe me some medication, but it would have a number of side effects and that he doesn't want to take that risk. Thus, I found out that the Medicated Chapstick makes the yellow liquid stop secreting. I hoped that Burt Bees' Medicated Chapstick would be a faster healing, but it just makes my lips more oily-looking. Since summer is about to end and school is about to get in session, I wanted to know any fast ideas to cure this problem. Specific product names, estimated time of healing, and directions would be really appreciated. Thanks!

[ThisGirl67859]

Hi. My lips hav this yellow crusts when i wake up in the morning and when i peel it off clear fluid come out of my lips, but slowly. I have tried putting on chapsticks, but i does not seem to be working. Im only a teenager too.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
If there are purple and white streaks on the lips and inside the mouth then lichen planus needs to be ruled out. Lichen planus is an inflammatory disease that affects the skin and the oral mucosa, and presents itself in the form of papules(flat spots) or rashes which present as white streaks or lacy pattern or purple papules.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Mark2234]

What I also found out today, after realizing that my Burt's Bees chapstick ran out, that Chapstick(the brand)'s medicated lip balm contains Petrolatum and some other hazardous chemicals in them. After applying Chapstick lip balm, I realized that it gave my lips a "burning" feeling and the YELLOW LIQUID started secreting again and crusts formed while I was sleeping.

Today, I bought Burt's Bees medicated lip balm, and I feel much better. I'm thinking that the cause of this is because of the harmful chemicals used in Chapstick (brand).

[Mark2234]

I actually did have a culture sensitivity fluid sample taken. My doctor told me that everything was fine and that there is nothing to worry about when it comes to my lips. Because of insurance issues, I have to get a doctor recommendation before going to see any "experts." He wouldn't approve of me seeing a dermatologist and just told me to get some more Vitamin C.

Both of my lips, top and bottom, turn very dry after five minutes without any chapstick, then both of my lips would start to peel skin off. A couple weeks ago, blue/purple "lines" inside my upper lip were visible, and unless my lips are really dry, it would show up again. When I put moisturizing chapstick or let my lips go on for too dry, only my top lip would secrete yellow sticky liquid.

I was wondering if some hydrocortisone cream would help with my lips. If you know of any specific, excellent brand that I can find from CVS/Walgreens/Walmart, please feel free to list them.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Two possibilities are coming to my mind from your symptoms. One is cheilitis grandularis. The other is cheilitis granulomatosa. Cheilitis glandularis affects the lower lip almost exclusively, although it has been reported to affect the upper lip. It presents as black marks due to puncta of the salivary gland swelling. Then viscous clear secretions and crusting may be there.

I suggest you to consult a good dermatologist and get a culture sensitivity of the fluid sample from lip and  biopsy of the lip done to confirm the diagnosis.


It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.