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dry patch on upper lip, discoloration

I have had a patch of skin on my upper lip for the past three or four weeks that feels dry. For a while, the problem went away but then it came back. It sometime itches if the skin get really dry, so I apply a lot of lip balm and try to drink a lot of water to deal with the problem. I have also noticed that sometimes, when I push that area of skin of my lip forward with my tongue, there is discoloration. It looks as if there is a blister forming under the skin, but there does not appear to be any liquid if I try to pop it (I know I shouldn't do it, but I wanted to make sure). Also, the skin will feel tight at times.

The problem began while I was in Jacksonville a few weeks back. I noticed the area of skin on my lip was feeling itchy and dry shortly after having gone to the beach. I suspect that the lip had gotten sun burned (I used a sun screen but it is very possible that I missed that spot). Could the skin be possibly sun damaged? And, if so, would the problem persist for this long? If is a sun related injury, what is the proper way to remedy it?

I do not believe that it is a cold sore, it has not presented the symptoms of one - pain, a blistering sore, crusting, etc.

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can give me!
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Avatar universal
Hi doctor I'm 55 years old and the last five years I have had a brown upper lip. It has a small flaky patch on it. I have been told to get my upper lip waxed. So I did. Helped for a few days and man that hurt. Is there anything I can do to get rid of this? If I put on foundation it looks even worse.
Please help.
Thank you
Robbin
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello Doctor Kaur,

Thank you for your help! The issue with my lip has long since passed.

Best!
Helpful - 0
563773 tn?1374246539
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
These symptoms can be due to cheilitis lips. 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 bld 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.
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.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Me again, just wanted to include another detail. I just noticed that the skin on my lip, when left alone, looks a little brown. It's a little hard to tell, the lighting in my bathroom isn't the best.
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