“Painful and itchy around lips?”
The outer edges of my lips have been painful and/or itchy for the past two months. I keep them coated around the clock with vaseline or Neosporin with pain reliever to somewhat knock the edge off of the pain or itching (whichever it may be at the time). Most of the time, there are zero visible symptoms but the pain or itching remains. Occasionally, there will be some very slight inflammation and less often there might be a small cluster of blisters that will appear, burst, and disappear, all within an hour or so. The best way to describe it is it feels like the worst sunburn on the lips that you can imagine.
I went to the first doctor and was prescribed mupirocin for 10 days and it had no effect. I went to doctor two and they prescribed 10 days of clindamycin and a steroid dose pack. Neither had any effect. Also, I have a scrip for valocyclovir for fever blisters and I tried that prior to the doctor visits. In summary, I have tried an oral and topical antiviral, topical antibacterial, oral antibiotic, and asteroid pack. Zero results from any of the above, any ideas at all would be greatly appreciated!
I went to the first doctor and was prescribed mupirocin for 10 days and it had no effect. I went to doctor two and they prescribed 10 days of clindamycin and a steroid dose pack. Neither had any effect. Also, I have a scrip for valocyclovir for fever blisters and I tried that prior to the doctor visits. In summary, I have tried an oral and topical antiviral, topical antibacterial, oral antibiotic, and asteroid pack. Zero results from any of the above, any ideas at all would be greatly appreciated!
Male | 50 years old
Complaint duration: 2 months
Medications: metoprolol for 4 years
Conditions: none
3 Answers
Hi,
Sounds like you need evaluation by a dermatologist, especially when the blisters are noticeable as this can be a sign of herpes. Herpes is treated with valacyclovir, and some people need to stay on this medication to prevent new outbreaks.
Steve Schleicher, MD
Sounds like you need evaluation by a dermatologist, especially when the blisters are noticeable as this can be a sign of herpes. Herpes is treated with valacyclovir, and some people need to stay on this medication to prevent new outbreaks.
Steve Schleicher, MD
Discontinue Neosporin as neomycin is one of the most common contact allergens in this country. Use of the counter hyrdocortisone 1% ointment 2 times and a day for up to 2 weeks. Keep the lips well greased up throughout the day with vaseline or Aquaphor, nothing else. Try not to lick your lips as this only makes the problem worse. Before putting on the hydrocortisone ointment, gently wipe off the vaseline or Aquaphor, then apply. A good time to put on the hydrocortisone is before bed time.
Good afternoon. You are describing a probable allergic lip dermatitis or “allergic lip cheilitis” due to fragrance mix or preservative mix. I would discontinue the use of Neosporin as this can also aggravate allergic lip dermatitis and even cause an allergic reaction with frequent application. I will suggest that you see a board-certified dermatologist who also has an expertise in “patch testing.” Patch testing is a process to determine if your condition is an allergic reaction to a chemical product, agents for example commonly found in dental products. The North American Contact Dermatitis society has designated 90 allergens as the most problematic. Patch testing is a 3 day process and is generally covered by insurance. This testing is critical in your work-up. In addition, you should consider switching your toothpaste to Toms of Maine or plain Colgate. Crest toothpaste has a number of allergens that can be problematic as well. Good luck!
Dr. Seraly
Dr. Seraly
