Lip dermatitis or cheilitis caused here by allergic contact dermatitis to lipstick.

LIP DERMATITIS

Lip dermatitis here is used to describe diffusely inflamed upper and lower lips. The main considerations are irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis (here referring to the patient, often an adult whose main manifestation of eczema/atopic dermatitis is the lips). If only the lower lip is involved, sun-induced conditions should be considered, e.g. actinic cheilitis. In children, lip licking is common. Inflamation of the corners of the mouth only is called angular cheilitis.

Both the upper and lower lips are inflamed, red and scaly.

Workup

Ask the patient the following:

• Did anything trigger the onset, e.g., new lipstick.
• Do you or any relatives have a history of allergy, hay fever, asthma, eczema?
• Do you lick your lips?
• Do you play a musical instrument with a reed (e.g., the saxophone).
• Do you use any anti-wrinkle type rejuvenation cream around your mouth.
• Do you routinely hold any objects in your mouth, e.g. pens, pencils, eyeglasses?
• Do you smoke?
• Do any foods flare the lips, e.g., mangos?
• What do you think is causing the problem?

RegionalDerm

Home | FAQs | Use of Images | Privacy Policy | Contact