Eczema, also known as dermatitis is a dry skin condition. It makes your skin swollen. It may affect people of all age-group. Atopic dermatitis in young-adults and teens may improve or disappear as they get old. Upon scratching your skin may turn swollen, become red, and start itching. Of the many types of this skin condition, atopic dermatitis is the most prevalent type. , This involves a weakened skin-barrier and an overactive immune response. Does eczema occur on your lips?
Eczematous cheilitis (lip dermatitis) - another name for lip eczema - is a disorder making your lips irritated, dry and inflamed. These signs are also linked to atopic dermatitis. Lip eczema is triggered by a number of causes namely, pollution, after-exercise (sweat), direct exposure to heat, skin diseases and stress.
If you are exposed to skin-irritants like house-dust-mites, pet dander, bubble-bath, medicated shampoo (containing ketoconazole or selenium sulfide), soap, grass, carpet, fabric conditioners, woolen materials used in spas and chlorine substance in pools – it may also cause eczema to flare-up.
This condition is more common among infants and kids. However, adults may also get it. Regardless of age - skin turns dry and irritated. As part of diagnosis, your doctor may order skin biopsy, prick, and patch tests to determine what caused eczema.
Can you get eczema on your lips?
Yes, Eczema can show up on lips. Lip eczema does not spread from one person to another. It instead spreads to skin around lips, affecting either top-lip, or lower-lip, or both. If left untreated, symptoms such as redness, dryness, cracking and inflammation may intensify, making simple tasks like eating and speaking painful.
Other symptoms include itchiness, burning, peeling and / or scaling of skin, making lips more sensitive. In some cases, lesions or fissures may develop, causing further irritation and pain.
Persistent spells of irritation may lead to deep-fissures or open-sores, increasing risks of infections, furthering discomforts. Extreme episodes of dryness make it hard to flex your lips, impairing movement and speech-intelligibility.
Over time, without proper care, your skin-barrier weakens, causing chronic sensitivity and recurrent flare-ups. Discomfort may also affect your social interactions, making your self-conscious.
Caveat: Repeated lip-licking, biting, or sucking can strip moisture off your lips. Also, beware of harsh chemicals in lip balm, toothpaste, or mouthwash – these may cause contact dermatitis, weakening your skin-barrier.
Raspy weather– especially extremely dry, hot , or cold conditions – may worsen symptoms. External factors like traffic-led pollution or smoking may aggravate irritation further. A few genetic and immunological triggers may also make skin hypersensitive. In such cases, flare-ups tend to persist.
What are likely long-term complications of eczema?
Apart from skin irritation, eczema may trigger a few other long-term complications. One major concern is increased risk of skin infections may make you more vulnerable to bacterial infections - bacteria, viruses, and fungi alike. These infections are more pronounced due to weaker skin-barrier.
Additionally, eczema is linked to other conditions such as asthma and allergic reactions.. Persistent itchiness can disrupt sleep cycles, leaving you fatigued and tired. Living with insomnia may lower potency of your immune system.
Your mental wellbeing may also witness a downtrend. You may witness mental conditions like being depressed, turning anxious , and a reduction in self-esteem. Visible symptoms of eczema contribute to such mental conditions. In a few rare cases, eye conditions - including inflammation and eyesight-related problems - may develop as a result of prolonged skin irritation.
There is also monetary angle to it; case management of eczema can be financially draining. It entails frequent visits to your doctor, steady intake of medications, and use of specialised skincare products. Untreated eczema may lead to skin-thickening (lichenification), hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, and permanent scarring in severe cases.
How to treat lip eczema?
Treatment of lip eczema chiefly focuses on resolving hydration and skin-irritation. Interventions are planned, as needed. It is essential to both identify and avoid triggers viz., cleansers containing harsh chemicals, lipsticks containing allergy-inducing substances and spicy foods. At times, short-courses of systemic-steroids are administered to treat severe spells of lip eczema. In some rare cases, antihistamines are used to treat allergens.
In addition, your caregiving team may advise use of mild-emollients or mineral oil(s) to ease-up drying of skin. In severe cases, barrier-repair creams, calcineurin-inhibitors, or topical steroids are prescribed to suppress inflammation. It is wise thing to stay hydrated, pursue a nutrient-rich daily-diet plan and manage stress – all these support skin-health and also prevent recurrence of lip eczema.
It is a good practice to use gentler and fragrance-free lip balms. You may keep your lips hydrated by using hypoallergenic moisturisers enriched with ingredients like ceramides or aloe Vera.
If skin irritation does not go away or recurs, consulting with a dermatologist / skin specialist is a wise decision. Your treating doctor can recommend a correct treatment plan; most plans are a combination of medications and changes in your lifestyle. Proactive care can help restore wellbeing to your lips.
How to prevent lip eczema?
One of the simplest ways to maintain lip health is to stay hydrated. You need to drink ample amount of water throughout each day. In addition, if you are living in a dry climate, a humidifier may help keep air moist and prevent lips from turning dry.
It is equally important to apply lip balm as a protective barrier, especially in cold weather conditions. Exposure to sun’s rays can aggravate dryness and irritation; use of a friendly-lip-balm helps a lot.
Choosing the right lip product(s) can make a big difference. It is desired to go for natural, hydrating lip balms than balms made of heavy chemicals or with lab-made fragrance. If you are habituated to lip licking, stay mindful of it. This habit can make your lip drier, turning saliva as a drying agent instead of being a natural moisturiser.
You may start using a moisturizing lip balm to keep them supple and soft. Living stress-free can prevent the onset of lip eczema. With hydration, lip-protection, and mindful self-care, you can effectively prevent lip eczema.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.