What treatment is there for a red and itchy lipline?

Doctor's Answers 1

Thanks for the details.

Your story sounds typical of eczematous cheilitis, which is inflammation of the lips/surrounding area.

It sounds like you’ve already been doing the right things (probably based on advise from your doctor). This includes not licking your lips and applying make-up sparingly, both of which can aggravate your condition and prevent recovery.

He has probably given you a mild topical steroid cream, and encouraged you to use moisturizers, all of which are also the correct treatment.

You should avoid scratching too as this will make the problem worse.

If the problem still persists in spite of liberal moisturizer use (the more, the better), and correct application of the steroid cream (usually we give a 0.025% strength steroid cream for the lip area), I’d suggest you see a dermatologist, either at the NSC or privately because the problem has been bothering you for 2 years.

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