Lip eczema – there are differences in causes!
Lip eczema can be divided into two different groups: contact allergic and irritative eczema. It is essential to understand the causes of these two types in order to take appropriate treatment and preventive measures.
Contact allergic lip eczema
Eczema on the lips can occur in patients from 4-6 years of age with a known history of eczema, but it can also occur in people without eczema, especially after the age of 40. The most common complaints are a burning sensation and itching. Recognizing lip eczema can cause varying symptoms, including flaking, chapped lips and eczema in the corners of the mouth (perleche). It can be confined to the lips, but can also appear around the eyes, neck or skin folds.
The cause of lip eczema is often due to a contact allergy, usually caused by products such as lipstick, lip balm, toothpaste or mouthwash. Treating lip eczema can be challenging, especially if the cause is not clear. It often does not respond well to conventional therapies, which makes it even more complex.
Irritative eczema
Eczema on the lips can occur at all ages, and it is not always related to atopy (predisposition to asthma, hay fever, eczema). It can be recognized by dry, red or pink skin accompanied by itching symptoms. Sometimes the skin lines can become coarser and may even crack. The area around the lips and the transition between the upper and lower lips may also be affected. This can be caused by excessive moistening of the lips with the tongue.
The proteins in saliva can irritate the skin and lips. It is important to unlearn the habit of lip licking, as eczema is a result of this habit. Some lip balms with a scent or flavor can also be an eliciting stimulus, making you inclined to lick your lips more often. Therefore, avoiding such lip balms may be helpful in treating lip eczema. It is also called lip lick dermatitis
Read more about lip balm preferably unscented, no menthol or pungent substances or mineral oils. Good are ingredients such as ceramide, shea butter, sunflower oil (which is suitable for the skin), jojoba oil, hemp seed oil.
To prevent and treat lip eczema, there are some important measures you can take:
- Avoid allergens: Make sure your lip care products and makeup are free of substances to which you may be allergic. If necessary, consult a dermatologist for allergy testing.
- Hydrate your lips: Keep your lips hydrated to prevent dehydration. Use a mild lip balm without irritants and apply it regularly, especially in cold and dry conditions.
- Avoid licking your lips: Try to avoid unknowingly licking your lips, as this can dry out and irritate the lips. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated, including from the inside out.
- Protect your lips: Use a lip balm with both UVB (SPF) and UVA sunscreen to protect your lips from the sun’s harmful effects.
- Consult a doctor: If you suffer from recurrent lip eczema or if the symptoms are severe, consult a dermatologist for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment.
While you are here
There are also several forms of hand eczema. Depending on the stage in which the eczema is located, you will get different types of complaints from hand eczema.
- Mild eczema may show bumps and redness, often on the backs of the hands or fingers that itch strongly;
- In a severe acute form, the skin is often swollen and blisters develop. The eczema is then weeping, because the blisters burst open. When the blisters dry into crusts, the skin flakes (peels) and the redness decreases;
- With chronic hand eczema, the skin eventually becomes dry and flaky, skin lines can become coarser and the skin can thicken, which can cause painful fissures.
More aboutdifferent forms of hand eczema
