Very dry lips/ corners of mouth

[CherrySeltzer]

Hi,

I have always had "issues" with my lips. Every since I can remember, I've had on and off "cuts" in the corners of my mouth, someones on one side, sometimes on both-- when I was younger I used to call it "clown mouth."

I also have very very dry, flaky lips. When i put creams, etc on it, it just seems to help maybe while it's still on, but once the cream dries/ gets wiped off etc my lips are back to how they were.

I am a 21 year old female, in generally good health. I take a multi vitamin every day and am on yaz.

Thanks!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Firstly, It can be due to vit B deficiency. Take some vitamin B complex for some days and see if your symptoms improve.
Secondly, it can be due to atopic dermatitis or eczema("Atopic" refers to a group of diseases where there is often an inherited tendency to develop other allergic conditions, such as asthma and hay fever). Cheilitis(Inflammation of the skin on and around the lips)is often seen in atopic dermatitis. Diagnosed by blood test like RAST. Treatment is by topical steroids or oral therapy of corticosteroids in severe cases. Topical creams like tacrolimus ointment (Protopic) and pimecrolimus cream (Elidel) are also useful.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[willy851]

use a moisturizer every night and morning. You probably have mild eczema. Blistex works good. I get chapped lips in the winter, but my wife has to use it all year long.