Key takeaways
- Eczema on the lips, also known as lip dermatitis or eczematous cheilitis, can be triggered by genetics, allergies, stress, weather, hormone changes, colds, or irritating substances found in lip products, smoke, and certain foods.
- Symptoms of lip eczema include dryness, rash, itching, burning, pain, scales, flakiness, and inflammation, and can affect one or both lips, extending to the skin inside and around the mouth.
- Treatment options range from topical medications, moisturizers, and lip balms to oral antifungals or antibiotics, and home remedies such as identifying triggers, acupuncture, diet changes, hypnotherapy, natural therapies like coconut oil, and vitamin D supplements.
Overview
Eczema on the lips is also known as lip dermatitis or eczematous cheilitis. Eczema refers to a wider group of skin conditions that can cause itchiness, scaling, and blisters on the skin. People can experience eczema anywhere on their bodies, including the lips.
People with eczema usually go between periods where they do not experience any symptoms and flare-up periods where the eczema comes back. Environmental and genetic factors can trigger eczema, including using certain lip products.
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Symptoms of lip eczema
Eczema may occur on only one or both of your lips. It may not only affect the skin outside of your mouth, but it can also involve the skin inside and around it. If you have lip dermatitis, you may experience symptoms such as:
- dryness
- skin rash on and around the lips
- itching
- burning
- pain
- formations of scales
- flakiness
- inflammation
People with eczema on the lips — differently from people with dry lips — not only have dryness on their lips, but they also usually have swelling and scales.
Causes of lip eczema
Eczema on the lips can crop up for many different reasons. People may develop eczema due to genetics, or after being in contact with certain substances they may be allergic to. Other types of eczema can develop because of an infection. Some causes of eczema on the lips include:
- having a family history of eczema
- allergies
- stress
- cold or hot weather
- changes in hormone levels
- having a cold
- use of irritating substances
Eczema on the lips may develop after you have been in contact with triggers, such as:
- mouth-related products, including lipstick, lip gloss, or toothpaste
- cigarette smoke
- soaps
- fragrances
- cleaning products
- pollen
- sweat
- certain foods you may be allergic to
People may develop different types of lip dermatitis, including:
- Allergic contact cheilitis: This usually happens due to an allergic reaction to lip products, medications, toothpaste, or other dental products.
- Angular eczematous cheilitis: This develops due to a bacterial or fungal infection. This type of eczema of the lips is common in people with diabetes. Wearing dentures and braces or lip licking may increase the risk of developing angular cheilitis because these can promote the buildup of saliva in the corners of the mouth, which can promote infections.
- Irritant contact cheilitis: This type of allergic reaction occurs due to external irritation. This may include actions such as lip licking, using cosmetics, or other environmental factors such as pollen and cigarette smoke.
Treatment for lip eczema
The treatment options for eczema on the lips may include:
- topical medications
- topical moisturizers
- lip balms
- oral antifungal medications like itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), and ketoconazole (Extina)
- topical or oral antibiotics like nafcillin (Nallpen) and oxacillin (Bactocill)
- topical steroid ointment if the skin is inflamed
- clotrimazole lozenges
You should not use topical medications, creams, or moisturizers inside the mouth. Take care when using them around that area and speak with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.
A 2022 study on people with atopic cheilitis stated that people treated with dupilumab (Dupixent) had a significant benefit and reduction of their symptoms. Dupilumab improved dryness and skin irritation and helped restore the skin around the mouth and on the lips.
A 2020 study suggests that treating people with eczema on the lips with topical tacrolimus 0.03% (Protopic) resulted in a complete recovery from the symptoms of eczema.
Home remedies for lip eczema
People may also find relief from eczema symptoms with some home remedies and by preventing exposure to their eczema triggers, including:
- Know what triggers your eczema: Limiting your exposure to chemicals or allergens that may be in certain cosmetic products or kinds of toothpaste might help you prevent flare-ups. Avoiding contact with foods that you are allergic to may also reduce the risk of eczema on the lips.
- Diet: Eating a balanced and healthy diet, preferring organic foods, and avoiding processed ones may help with eczema.
- Natural therapies: Moisturizing your skin with coconut oil may help eczema. Sunflower seed oil may also help relieve itchiness and allow your skin to restore. Petroleum jellies, like Vaseline, may also help soothe and moisturize your lips.
- Vitamin D supplements: People with severe cases of eczema often have low levels of vitamin D in their bodies. Vitamin D supplements may help reduce the risk of eczema.
A doctor can recommend the most appropriate treatment for your eczema based on its severity and the symptoms you experience.
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Get free cardSummary
Eczema on the lips is a skin condition that can cause dryness, redness, and scaling on your lips. Doctors also refer to this type of eczema as lip dermatitis or eczematous cheilitis. Eczema can occur on only one lip or on both of them.
Eczema on the lips may occur for a variety of reasons, including smoking, having contact with certain chemicals or allergens in cosmetic products, and stress. People with eczema typically experience symptoms after exposure to a trigger. Still, preventing exposure to triggers may not be enough to stop eczema from occurring.
Moisturizers, topical creams, and lip balms can help treat eczema on the lips. Still, doctors may prescribe antibiotics or antifungal medication to treat eczema when it happens due to a fungal or bacterial infection.
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