Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Dry Lips, Flaky Upper Lips, Rough Texture. Applying Lip Balm. Eczema Or Fungal Infection?
Hello!
i am not sure if i have lip eczema or a fungal infection
I have always had dry lips, so I always have to use some type of balm, but within the past few years, my upper lip has developed a different problem. there is a patch that will sometime flare up and start out with a rough texture, like little bubbles under the skin, then get really tight and dry so the skin start to get flakey. Initially this only happened when I didn't have a balm for a while, and so I started using Palmer's Cocoa Butter Stick. That made it go away and I have been using it for the past few years regularly. Now, the flare-ups happen when I'm in the direct sunlight too long or randomly. Also, the problem is no longer isolated to the one spot; it has shown up on the other side of my upper lip and at the lower corner of my mouth. Is this eczema or a fungal infection?
i am not sure if i have lip eczema or a fungal infection
I have always had dry lips, so I always have to use some type of balm, but within the past few years, my upper lip has developed a different problem. there is a patch that will sometime flare up and start out with a rough texture, like little bubbles under the skin, then get really tight and dry so the skin start to get flakey. Initially this only happened when I didn't have a balm for a while, and so I started using Palmer's Cocoa Butter Stick. That made it go away and I have been using it for the past few years regularly. Now, the flare-ups happen when I'm in the direct sunlight too long or randomly. Also, the problem is no longer isolated to the one spot; it has shown up on the other side of my upper lip and at the lower corner of my mouth. Is this eczema or a fungal infection?
Thu, 25 Apr 2013
Hello, Welcome to health care magic
Scaling and dryness of lip (inflammation) is called cheilitis. There are a lot of causes of cheilitis. Our saliva is an irritant and constant licking can cause lip lick cheilitis. Vitamin B an iron deficiencies can cause cheilitis. Fungal infection called candidiasis can cause chelitis and it is usually only over the angle of the mouth. Sunlight can cause actinic cheilitis usually only over lower lip. Sometimes cosmetics including lip balm can cause contact dermatitis.
In your case you mentioned that there are episodes of flare up with little bubbles under the skin. This is usually seen in herpes labialis which is a viral infection.
I recommend you consult a dermatologist so that a diagnosis is made and you can be counselled according to diagnosis.
Hope this helped
Take care
Scaling and dryness of lip (inflammation) is called cheilitis. There are a lot of causes of cheilitis. Our saliva is an irritant and constant licking can cause lip lick cheilitis. Vitamin B an iron deficiencies can cause cheilitis. Fungal infection called candidiasis can cause chelitis and it is usually only over the angle of the mouth. Sunlight can cause actinic cheilitis usually only over lower lip. Sometimes cosmetics including lip balm can cause contact dermatitis.
In your case you mentioned that there are episodes of flare up with little bubbles under the skin. This is usually seen in herpes labialis which is a viral infection.
I recommend you consult a dermatologist so that a diagnosis is made and you can be counselled according to diagnosis.
Hope this helped
Take care
I find this answer helpful
3 Doctors agree with this answer
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Herpes
Loading Online Doctors....