Fact Checked
Exfoliative cheilitis is a condition where the lips becomes dry, flaky and peels constantly, and the lips turn red and develops fissures and cracks which causes pain. A person suffering from this condition becomes depressed and might want to stay secluded and any socializing events with other people are usually avoided. This is due to the fact that this condition can cause the lips to appear undesirable.
Causes of exfoliative cheilitis
There are various causes for this condition that you should be aware of.
- Stress
- Lip picking and biting can cause constant involuntary peeling of the skin of the lips
- Breathing through the mouth or poor oral hygiene
- Licking of the lips
- Candida infection that worsen the infection
- People suffering from HIV are prone to exfoliative cheilitis and it usually affects people below the age 30.
Exfoliative cheilitis symptoms
If an individual is suspected with exfoliative cheilitis, the following symptoms are likely to occur.
- There is a continuous peeling of the outer layer of the lip and only one lip is affected which is the vermilion border of lip
- The lips are dry, flaky and becomes inflamed due to the peeling
- Cracks and fissures will develop
- Burning and tingling sensations can be felt
- The lips becomes discolored, sores bleed and form hemorrhagic crusts.
- There is difficulty in eating and speaking.
- The affected person will have tooth cavities caused by poor oral hygiene.
Treatment and home remedies for exfoliative cheilitis
- It can be treated with anti-fungal cream especially when the germs are present on the swab taken from the lip.
- Apply lip balm to keep the lip moist at least two times a day. It also lessens itching and burning sensations caused by the dryness of the lip.
- Apply a cold compress to help promote faster healing. You can also add vinegar to the cold water.
- Apply lactic acid lotion to help lessen the burning sensation and other symptoms of exfoliative cheilitis.
- Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables since they provide the necessary vitamins and nutrients for the healing of the condition.
- Avoid alcohol, coffee and tea since they can worsen the dryness of the lips.
- Minimize being stressed out by engaging in meditation and yoga.
Other remedies
- Add food to the diet that contains B12 and iron such as clams, liver, beef, salmon, tuna, cheese, eggs, milk and chicken.
- A doctor should be consulted regarding the use of antifungal mouthwash or lozenges.
- If exfoliative cheilitis is caused by yeast infection, eat yogurt in order to help minimize inflammation. Rinse the mouth using a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water but remember not to swallow the mixture.
- Using aloe vera in treating the affected area of the lip.
- Take vitamin supplements such as riboflavin and niacin and eat a variety of green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.