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Suggest Treatment For Itching And Dryness On The Lips

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Posted on Wed, 19 Apr 2017
Question: Hello doctor,

This is XXXX I have always had dry tight lips for which I use Vaseline in night times . Last month I experienced a allergic reaction in my lower lips for which I consulted doctors both on this forum and in person and they said it could be because of toothpaste and gave me an antibiotic for a week and also cetrizune for two weeks along with antioxidant and it went . Now for the past three days I am experiencing an itching kind of in the upper lip line first it was in the right side and now for th roast two days it's in the left side also if you see in the photos I could send da mild swelling but no pain when I touch just feel like itching but not always also there is some mild redness . The doctors that I saw last time told me to use hydrocortisone cream . I am very much scared of herpes so had taken a test from two centres six months ago and it came back negative I have had no sexual encounters with anyone including lip kiss or sharing water bottle ( keeping mouth on the same bottle opener ) I have my seperately water bottle and even while drinking some thing I lift it and drink and make sure that the tumbler does not come in contact with lips and whenever I want to apply Vaseline I wash my hands with detail hand wash . I am sending you photos of the last two days please help me I am dead scared
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
You should not fear herpes labialis. You don't have it.

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you again for writing to us

I am dr.kakkar (dermatologist). I have gone through the query and I have viewed the photographs.
You certainly don't have herpes because as you said you take utmost precautions so that it does'nt happen and moreover all your tests have been negative. So by this time you should be convinced that you certainly don't have herpes labialis. You do have a few fordyce spots on your upper lip which is a normal finding in many. Fordyce spots are ectopic sebaceous glands and are just a cosmetic concern. I also suggest you to use hydrocortisone cream for a few days. In addition you may take a B complex vitamin supplement, once daily e.g Cap. Becosule Z.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (23 minutes later)
Hello doctor,
Thank you so much for clearing my doubts also why do I have a sort of itching and crawling like sensation not too much but still it's annoying . Also I have attached some more pics now . The main concern is at times after eating food I do find my lips red at some places . This does not happen all the time but at times whenever I eat something spicy , I love spicy food should I avoid it . Can I use sebamed lip defends balm for my lips . Also this hydrocortisone acetate cream can it be used on vermillion border
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (19 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Regarding your lip concern

Detailed Answer:
Hello.

You may use sebamed lip balm. Itching sensation and redness might be due to some underlying irritation or vitsmin deficiency. Use hydrocortisone for a week. Also take a B complex supplement for a few days.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (28 hours later)
Hello doctor,

Thank you so much for your reply . I do have a couple of queries that are generic to herpes virus

1) how long does the virus stay in food particle or in a box or in a carton box where the food is kept
2) suppose a sweet box is opened and some one who has a herpes or a history of the same take a whole sweet and eat it does it spread to the other whole sweets in the box . If so how long does the virus stay in the sweet .
3) can you please Tell me whether any other virus or bacteria can also be transferred via the previous scenario be it typhoid , jaundice any thing . I know my questions are very absurd but I would be very grateful to you if you could answer my queries as stuff like these are bothering and eating up my mind
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (20 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Regarding transmission of herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hello.

The virus dies quickly on drying outside the body and it would not spread through sharing sweets or having sweets through the same box. The virus can be found in the saliva of an infected individual and is usually spread through lip kissing. Typhoid and jaundice can spread if the food was already contaminated during preparation but not by sharing with a person with these illness. I think it is practically safe to share food/sweets without getting overly concerned because saliva is not conducive for survival of most infectious organisms.

Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Itching And Dryness On The Lips

Brief Answer: You should not fear herpes labialis. You don't have it. Detailed Answer: Hello. Thank you again for writing to us I am dr.kakkar (dermatologist). I have gone through the query and I have viewed the photographs. You certainly don't have herpes because as you said you take utmost precautions so that it does'nt happen and moreover all your tests have been negative. So by this time you should be convinced that you certainly don't have herpes labialis. You do have a few fordyce spots on your upper lip which is a normal finding in many. Fordyce spots are ectopic sebaceous glands and are just a cosmetic concern. I also suggest you to use hydrocortisone cream for a few days. In addition you may take a B complex vitamin supplement, once daily e.g Cap. Becosule Z. Regards