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What Causes Swelling And Itching On The Lower Left Vermillion Boarder Of My Lip?
Question: I have developed a rash around my mouth for over half a year.
It started with redness, swelling and itching on the lower left vermillion boarder of my lip. This quickly spread to the my top lip, affecting the upper vermillion border only on the right side. Originally they were small red spots, isolated to a small area of the lip, that would stay for a few days, leave for about a week, then come back. Eventually it spread to the entire lower lip (the left side of the lip in particular has purple colored spots under the skin, and below that on the vermillion border, swelling and a noticeable bump that never goes away.)
As of now, my lower lip's vermillion border is uneven, always swollen and red. When I have an "attack" (again, about every 7 days, lasting for 2-4 days) the swelling becomes more obvious and my lips top and bottom turn bright red, while some parts remain the same as my normal lip color (think of how a marble cheesecake looks.)
Also, my upper lip (right side only) develops hard skin, something I can only describe as feeling like a fish scale. It's not like normal dry skin; it's hard and coarse and eventually peels off after the 2-4 days. There are no fluid filled blisters or bleeding.
It started with redness, swelling and itching on the lower left vermillion boarder of my lip. This quickly spread to the my top lip, affecting the upper vermillion border only on the right side. Originally they were small red spots, isolated to a small area of the lip, that would stay for a few days, leave for about a week, then come back. Eventually it spread to the entire lower lip (the left side of the lip in particular has purple colored spots under the skin, and below that on the vermillion border, swelling and a noticeable bump that never goes away.)
As of now, my lower lip's vermillion border is uneven, always swollen and red. When I have an "attack" (again, about every 7 days, lasting for 2-4 days) the swelling becomes more obvious and my lips top and bottom turn bright red, while some parts remain the same as my normal lip color (think of how a marble cheesecake looks.)
Also, my upper lip (right side only) develops hard skin, something I can only describe as feeling like a fish scale. It's not like normal dry skin; it's hard and coarse and eventually peels off after the 2-4 days. There are no fluid filled blisters or bleeding.
Brief Answer:
perioral dermatitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query and photograph.
Your symptoms and photograph are suggestive of perioral dermatitis.
It is a non specific allergic condition and mainly happens due to contact with saliva.
Usually it involves entire lips but can be localised too.
Absence of blisters rules out herpes.
I usually treat such cases with topical steroid cream and oral antihistamine and have seen excellent response.
You too can try this in consultation with your doctor.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
perioral dermatitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query and photograph.
Your symptoms and photograph are suggestive of perioral dermatitis.
It is a non specific allergic condition and mainly happens due to contact with saliva.
Usually it involves entire lips but can be localised too.
Absence of blisters rules out herpes.
I usually treat such cases with topical steroid cream and oral antihistamine and have seen excellent response.
You too can try this in consultation with your doctor.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Thank you for your diagnosis. That is the same conclusion other doctors have arrived at.
The problem is that I've tried several steroid based creams (Difluprednate 0.5 mg / Desonide 0.5% / Betaderm 0.1% / Ketoderm / Hydroval 1:1) and none have worked to completely eliminate the redness, swelling and itching. It literally NEVER goes away. It goes between being minor, to severe, but never gone.
After 6 months and minor results, would you be able to suggest a non-steroid medication for my dermatitis?
I will basically try anything until I find a solution.
Thank you again.
The problem is that I've tried several steroid based creams (Difluprednate 0.5 mg / Desonide 0.5% / Betaderm 0.1% / Ketoderm / Hydroval 1:1) and none have worked to completely eliminate the redness, swelling and itching. It literally NEVER goes away. It goes between being minor, to severe, but never gone.
After 6 months and minor results, would you be able to suggest a non-steroid medication for my dermatitis?
I will basically try anything until I find a solution.
Thank you again.
Brief Answer:
Acyclovir
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the details.
I suggest you yo try acyclovir ointment.
Apply it four times a day for 10 days.
Though it is not looking like typical herpes but there is a strong possibility.
This may give you relief.
Let me know if it helps you.
Thank you
Acyclovir
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the details.
I suggest you yo try acyclovir ointment.
Apply it four times a day for 10 days.
Though it is not looking like typical herpes but there is a strong possibility.
This may give you relief.
Let me know if it helps you.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Do you think it's Erythema multiforme caused by HSV?
Brief Answer:
Not erythema multiforme
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
It is not erythema multiforme.
Erythema multiforme cannot present with lesions only on lips.
it also involves the body.
It can be localised herpes labialis due to HSV.
Please try acyclovir ointment.
This will help you.
Thank you.
Not erythema multiforme
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
It is not erythema multiforme.
Erythema multiforme cannot present with lesions only on lips.
it also involves the body.
It can be localised herpes labialis due to HSV.
Please try acyclovir ointment.
This will help you.
Thank you.
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. Shanthi.E
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