Eczema On The Lips? Best Home Treatment Tips 2023
Just imagine for a second - that feeling when you take the first bite of your favourite sugary, sweet snack after a hard day at work.
Feels good, doesn’t it?
I mean come on, it feels GREAT. But this time, there’s something off. Something wrong. Oh yeh, wait a second, it’s eczema. ON YOUR LIPS. Of course, like why wouldn’t eczema go there?
We’re sorry. Truly we are. We know you just wanted to enjoy that doughnut in peace. And now? You’ve got red, chapped, irritated lips which make it damn painful to do just about anything involving your mouth.
That calming morning latte? Not so calming anymore! So yeh, we’ve got to find a fix for this, haven’t we? Read on below and hopefully we can provide just that.
In this article, you’ll find:
1) What is eczema on the lips?
2) Symptoms
3) Types of infection
4) Causes
5) Risk factors
6) Simple home treatment plan
So, what is eczema on the lips?
Eczema on the lips, also referred to as lip dermatitis or eczematous cheilitis, is a painful inflammation of the lips that can appear as redness, itchy skin around the mouth or dryness, scaling and flaking.
Usually it can be split into 3 zones:
1) The outer zone including the skin around the lips
2) The vermilion margin (outer part of the lips that connect your lip tissue to the rest of your face)
3) The mucosal aspect (inside lining of the lips)
Most commonly it is the first two areas that are affected most.
Symptoms
Not much change here from the standard tell-tale signs. The main symptoms for lip dermatitis are:
- Burning
- Itching
- Split, scaly skin or fissures
- Dryness or flaking
- A red rash on or around the lips
It’s possible to notice symptoms on both of your lips, not just the one, as well as around the lips and on the inner and outer part of the mouth.
It’s also common to notice a change in pigmentation around the lips. Fair-skinned people might notice the skin turning more brownish or red, whilst darker-skinned people may see their skin turn lighter or darker.
Types and Causes
There are then 3 different types of eczema on the lips that we need to be aware of:
1) Irritant contact cheilitis
This occurs as a result of external irritation to the lips. We’re talking cosmetic products, environmental factors and lip licking.
2) Allergic contact cheilitis
This is due to an allergic reaction from products placed onto the lips. Some of the main culprits are toothpaste, dental materials and lip products.
Fungal infection is the most common cause of angular cheilitis. Usually it’s caused by a type of yeast called Candida or a bacterial infection. It’s when saliva gets trapped and builds up in the corners of your mouth where it then dries, causing the skin to crack.
Of course the warm, moist areas in the corners of your mouth make it an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. So unfortunately, it’s quite easy for such an infection to develop.
Causes
Right then - time for the triggers. We know these can differ widely from person to person, but as ever there are some common themes we can highlight.
In no particular order:
- Certain chemicals in the lip products you use
- Fragrances and soaps
- Specific foods
- Cold and dry climates, where your skin is more likely to lack moisture
- Cigarette smoke (another good reason to quit!)
- Pollen
- Stress
- Sweating
With the causes for eczema on the lips being reasonably skewed towards an allergic reaction, it might be a good idea to try and book a patch test through your dermatologist.
Whilst these aren’t an exact science, they might go some of the way in helping you find out what’s triggering your flare ups.
Risk factors
You’re more likely to be at risk from lip dermatitis for a few reasons:
1) You have a family history of eczema or allergies
2) Your job involves activities with irritating substances
3) You have a sensitivity to hot or cold climates
4) You’ve just started using a new product that touches your lips - toothpaste or mouthwash for example
Simple home treatment plan
We know that with eczema it’s the itchy and dry skin that is the most frustrating part (particularly the former). As luck would have it, our very own calming spray is a fantastic antidote to both.
Enriched with a blend of 3 Chinese herbs used for 1000’s of years in traditional Asian medicine, our plant-based formula has been especially designed to combat the symptoms of eczema-prone skin.
Nourishing dry patches and enhancing the skin’s natural barrier, it gives you a chance to break free from the downward spiral of flare ups and take back control of your own skin.
2) Understand and control your triggers
This is a biggy! And maybe the most important one of the lot. You HAVE to get control of your triggers and understand what sets of your skin. If that means trying a patch test or an elimination diet, then go for it.
Without understanding this key aspect of your condition, it’s tough to put a lid on those repetitive flare ups.
3) Relax and de-stress
We know, this one’s tough. When the world seems to move at 100 miles an hour and your to-do list is as long as your arm, the last thing that seems possible is relaxation.
But you have to prioritise your own mental health. So take a step back, stop, breathe.
We preach meditation and mindfulness to help at yan-yee and they can be a great tool if leveraged properly.
Jump over to our social pages to find out more @yanyeeskincare
Sum up
So who knows, maybe that doughnut is on the cards after all? We sure hope so!
Follow the steps above and jump over to our Twitter page to let us know how you go :)
With care,
The yan-yee team
Sources
- Skin inflammation: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and more. (2019). Link
- Angular cheilitis. (2010). Link
- Contact dermatitis. (2019). Link
- Wailing, H. W., et al. (2010). Update on the management of chronic eczema: new approaches and emerging treatment options. Link
