I suffer from dry, itchy skin that keeps me from going outdoors. No matter what I use or apply on my skin, my symptoms won't go away and seem to get worse whenever I go out in the sun. One day, I talked to my regular doctor about my skin condition. The doctor referred me to a dermatologist for treatment. It was a big relief to find someone who can really help. The dermatologist examined my skin and asked me questions about my diet, lifestyle and habits. I actually caused my skin problems by what I do each day. After making big changes in my life and getting the right skin treatment, I now live a full life. If you need help for your skin condition that really works, read my blog. You'll find information about skin conditions and their treatments, as well as where to go for help.
Are your lips red, cracked, and uncomfortable? If over-the-counter balms don't help, take a look at what
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Are your lips red, cracked, and uncomfortable? If over-the-counter balms don't help, take a look at what you need to know about the possible causes of lip skin irritation and when to see a dermatologist.
Why Are Your Lips Irritated?
There isn't one reason for all lip irritations. Some redness, itching, discomfort, swelling, peeling, and cracking has a temporary cause—such as an injury, sunburn, or burn from hot food or drink. But other issues may last significantly longer, come and go for long periods of time, or don't have an easy-to-identify cause. If you're not sure why your lips are irritated, a skin doctor can help to find the cause and solve the problem.
Can Eczema Cause Irritated Lips?
Yes, eczema is a common reason for irritated lips. Atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema affects 1 in 10 people in the United States, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). While this condition won't always have lip symptoms, it can cause dryness, itchiness, and red rashes on the face and mouth area.
Can An Infection Cause Lip Irritation?
Eczema is not a contagious condition or an infection. But this doesn't mean that an infection can't cause your lip irritation. Angular cheilitis is an often-painful problem that affects the corners of the lips. While this skin irritation can start as a reaction to a product (such as toothpaste or a cleanser), it can also come from a fungal/yeast infection. Bacterial infections can also cause cheilitis-related lip cracking, dryness, and painful irritation.
Can Other Conditions Cause Lip Irritation?
An allergy to a product or a food can also result in lip swelling, redness, stinging, itching, burning, or cracking. Severe swelling along with other symptoms of an allergic reaction (such as hives or trouble breathing) requires immediate medical attention. If you are experiencing this type of reaction, go to an emergency room as soon as possible or contact emergency services for help.
Some allergies are uncomfortable and irritating—but not severe. If you have a mild reaction or aren't sure whether your lip symptoms are an allergy, talk to your dermatologist. Some irritants may cause a reaction on and around the lips known as perioral dermatitis. This red, itchy rash can also result from hydrocortisone cream overuse.
Even though corticosteroids can stop allergic reactions, they may cause a perioral dermatitis rash in some people. This makes it important to talk to your doctor about all medications you take and only use corticosteroids under the supervision of a medical provider.
Contact a local dermatologist to learn more.
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