Cheilitis
Lipstick may be an important cause.
Angular cheilitis ― In most cases, it is accompanied by a mild infection, so antibiotic treatment is required. Unlike herpes infections, eczema on the lip is frequently observed.
References
The disease may appear as an isolated condition or as part of certain systemic diseases/conditions (such as anemia due to vitamin B12 or iron deficiency) or local infections (e.g., herpes and oral candidiasis). Cheilitis can also be a symptom of a contact reaction to an irritant or allergen, or may be provoked by sun exposure (actinic cheilitis) or drug intake, especially retinoids. Generally, the forms most commonly reported in the literature are angular, contact (allergic and irritant), actinic, glandular, granulomatous, exfoliative and plasma cell cheilitis.
○ Actinic cheilitis
Mainly caused due to sun rays and affects white peoples. There is some risk that this condition can develop into squamous cell carcinoma in the long term.
○ Allergic cheilitis
It is divided into endogenous (due to an inherent characteristic of the individual), and exogenous (where it is caused by an external agent). The main cause of endogenous eczematous cheilitis is atopic cheilitis, and the main causes of exogenous eczematous cheilitis is irritant contact cheilitis (e.g., caused by a lip-licking habit) and allergic contact cheilitis.
The most common causes of allergic contact cheilitis is lip cosmetics, including lipsticks and lip balm, followed by toothpastes. Small exposure such as kissing someone who is wearing lipstick is enough to cause the contact cheilitis. Allergies to metal, wood, or other components can cause cheilitis reactions in musicians, especially players of woodwind and brass instruments, e.g., the so-called "clarinetist's cheilitis", or "flutist's cheilitis".
○ Treatment ― OTC Drugs
If it is only present on the upper lip, it can be caused by excessive sun exposure over a long period of time. Avoid the sun and see your doctor regularly. Avoid using lipstick or lip balm ingredients as they can cause allergies. Applying an OTC steroid cream and taking an OTC antihistamine can help.
#Hydrocortisone cream
#Cetirizine [Zytec]
#Diphenhydramine [Benadryl]
#LevoCetirizine [Xyzal]
#Fexofenadine [Allegra]
#Loratadine [Claritin]