Endogenous: This type of eczematous dermatitis is caused by endogenous factors like gene mutation or loss of plasticity. Atopic dermatitis is a common example of endogenous eczematous cheilitis. Exogenous: This is caused by factors outside the body. Exogenous eczematous cheilitis is of two types: irritant and allergic. Irritant contact cheilitis is caused due to lip licking, cosmetics, foods, and other environmental issues. Allergic contact cheilitis is caused by allergens that may be present in dental products, medications, food, and lip products. Keep scrolling to learn the most common risk factors of eczematous cheilitis.
Causes And Risk Factors
Allergens found in lipsticks, oral hygiene products like toothpaste, foods, ointment bases, fragrances, preservatives, antioxidants, and dyes may trigger eczematous cheilitis. Objects like dental materials, musical or occupational instruments, metals, leather objects that come in contact with your lips may also cause allergic reactions (3). Some medications like topical antibiotics, virostatic agents, disinfectants, and local anesthetics may also cause allergic reactions and irritate the lips. Eczema is caused due to a mutation to a gene called filaggrin that is responsible for skin cell maturity and forming tough corneocytes (dead skin). A mutation in this gene causes skin barrier dysfunction, leading to water loss, scaling, itching, and dryness (4). Loss of lip plasticity (lip thinning) and delayed hypersensitivity may also cause eczematous cheilitis. In addition, the condition reduces the number of beta-defenses (skin’s primary defense system) in the skin, which makes it prone to infections caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi (2), (4). If you have a history of eczema in your family, you may also develop the condition. Eczema on the lips may also be caused as a reaction to other conditions like atopic cheilitis, irritant contact cheilitis, and allergic cheilitis. Here are some of the symptoms to look out for. Symptoms The common symptoms of lip dermatitis or eczematous cheilitis are (3), (4), (5):
Dryness Scaling Erythema (redness) Fissuring (splits or cracks with and without bleeding) Itching Boils Swelling Rashes
In a few cases, you may also notice lip discoloration. Scratching the affected area continuously may also lead to the thickening of the skin. If you notice any of these symptoms on your lips, consult a dermatologist. There are a few treatment options that your doctor may recommend,
Treatment Options
Treatment for eczema focuses on hydration and anti-inflammatory medication to calm flare-ups. It mainly centers around maintaining a daily skin moisturizing regimen paired with a fragrance-free ointment. The doctor may recommend (4):
Topical ointments for hydration Topical anti-inflammatory medications like steroids Steroid-free products like pimecrolimus, tacrolimus, or Eucrisa Oral antihistamines
If you have a history of allergies, the doctor might do a patch or allergy test to identify potential triggers. They may ask you to stay away from harsh detergents, soaps, and products that may contain allergens like artificial dyes, fragrances, and preservatives. The doctor may recommend a prick test. To do it, they may put a drop of allergen solution on your arm and prick the skin to let it enter. They will check the area after half an hour for any adverse reactions. Here are some preventative measures you can take to minimize the eczematous flare-ups on the lips.
Prevention Tips
Is Vaseline good for eczema on lips? Check out the infographic below to learn some of the common triggers and risk factors of eczema on lips. Yes. Vaseline works great for eczema on lips (6). It helps moisturize and soothe irritated lips and relieve discomfort. Is lip eczema contagious? No. Lip eczema is not contagious. Is aloe vera good for eczema on lips? Anecdotal evidence suggests that the soothing and healing properties of aloe vera work well for eczema on lips. However, limited data is available to prove these claims. Does tea tree oil help with eczema on lips? Yes. Tea tree is better known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, and it has been found effective in treating eczema (7). Hence, you can use it to treat eczema on the lips. Is olive oil good for eczema on the lips? No. The low linoleic and oleic acid ratio in olive oil can damage the skin barrier and aggravate the eczema.
