What is Lip Eczema?
Eczema is a form of dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) that is characterized by rough, scaly, flaky, dry skin with a red appearance. Eczema on the lips (eczematous cheilitis) is referred to simply as lip eczema. Although lip eczema appears to have no known external cause, in many cases, this lip irritation is often a reaction to some type of substance.
A study in Spain showed that most cases of lip eczema are allergic contact dermatitis or atopic dermatitis. Further, cosmetics and topical medications were the main culprits.
Types and symptoms of lip eczema
There are several different types of eczema on lips, including the following:
Irritant contact cheilitis occurs as a result of external irritation, such as lip licking, cosmetics, and environmental factors.
Allergic contact cheilitis is an allergic reaction to lip products, dental materials, toothpaste, or medication.
Angular cheilitis develops due to a fungal infection, usually Candida, or a bacterial infection. A person may get the infection because lip licking, dentures or braces, or other factors cause saliva to build up in the corners of their mouth. Angular cheilitis is common in people with diabetes.
The symptoms of lip eczema can occur on one or both of the lips and can also affect the skin inside and surrounding the mouth.
The symptoms of eczema on the lips may include:
a red rash on or around the lips
dryness or flakiness
split or scaly skin
itching
burning
pain
inflammation
Triggers
Different factors can trigger lip eczema in different people. It may help to note when the symptoms occur to try to determine what is causing lip eczema.
Factors that may trigger lip eczema include:
certain lip products, such as specific chemicals in lipsticks and chapsticks
fragrances, soaps, household cleaners, and fabrics
dry skin, which cold, dry climates can make worse
specific foods
cigarette smoke
pollens
Treatments and home remedies For Eczema on Lips
Treatment options for eczema on the lips may include the following medications and home remedies:
medicated creams, including corticosteroids
regular moisturizing
lip balms
antifungal creams for angular cheilitis
The National Eczema Association recommend the natural remedies below to relieve eczema symptoms in general. People should ensure that any natural remedies requiring a topical application to the lips are edible.
Coconut oil: Used in a variety of natural treatments. Possesses antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Apply cold pressed coconut oil on the lips to get relief as it can act as a great moisturizer.
Sugar: Acts as a best scrub if you have lip eczema. Use brown sugar or cane sugar to get effective results.
Aloe Vera: Acts as a soothing agent to help irritated skin while offering a cooling effect on the lips. Take a piece of aloe vera leaf, take out the gel from the leaf and apply gently on the lips to soothe your condition.
Flax seeds: Are a great source of omega-3-fatty acids. Try having 3–5 teaspoons of roasted flax seeds daily to help you.
Shea butter: An effective way to treat skin dryness as it acts as a great moisturising natural product. Massage few amount of shea butter on the lips before you sleep. Leave it overnight and remember to clean it with a plain water in the morning.
Hives On Lips — Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Hives usually cause itching, but may also burn or sting. They can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, lips, tongue, throat, or ears. Hives vary in size (from a pencil eraser to a dinner plate), and may join together to form larger areas known as plaques. They can last for hours, or up to one day before fading.
What Causes Hives and Angioedema?
Allergic hives and angioedema form when, in response to histamine, blood plasma leaks out of small blood vessels in the skin. Histamine is a chemical released from specialized cells along the skin’s blood vessels.
Allergic reactions, chemicals in certain foods, insect stings, sunlight exposure, or medications can all cause histamine release. It’s often impossible to find out exactly why hives have formed.
In most cases, home remedies are all you need to find relief. Here are a few ways to soothe your itchy skin
Use a cold compress
Applying something cool to your skin can help relieve any irritation. To do this, grab a bag of frozen veggies or wrap a handful of ice in a towel and apply to the affected area for up to 10 minutes. Repeat as needed throughout the day.
Take a bath with an anti-itch solution
There are several products you can add to a bath to relieve itching. These include oatmeal (specifically marketed as colloidal oatmeal for bathing) or one or two handfuls of baking soda.
Natural remedies
If home remedies aren’t relieving your symptoms — but you aren’t ready to head to the pharmacy — you may want to give a few natural solutions a try.
Natural remedies typically aren’t regulated or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so use with caution.
Witch hazel
The natural tannins found in the herb witch hazel can help relieve irritation. You may want to prepare your own witch hazel mixture to use as an astringent to maximize the tannins.
To do this:
Add 5 to 10 gramsTrusted Source of witch hazel bark to 1 cup of water.
Mash the bark up.
Pour the mixture into a pot.
Bring to boiling and remove from the heat.
Strain the mixture.
Let the mixture cool before application.
You can apply this to your skin like a mask a few times each day. Let it sit on the affected areas for about 20 minutes, and then rinse off.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a plant known for its healing properties.
Although it’s a natural anti-inflammatory, it may cause contact dermatitis, so it’s important to do a skin patch test before application.
To do a skin patch test, simply apply a small amount of the product to an unaffected area of skin. If you can, apply to the inside of your forearm. If you don’t experience any irritation within 24 hours, it should be safe to apply to any hives.
You can apply topical aloe vera to your hives as needed, likely a few times a day. Be sure to follow any instructions on the package.
