Chapped lips - nay, the MOTHER of all chapped lips: please help

[PacificDogwod]

DS1(14) has started taking Roaccutane for cystic acne.

Aften an initial flare (that was fun!) his spots are beginning to settle, we are almost 4 weeks into a 4 month course and only on a half dose.

However, the skin on his lips is falling off in ribbons (dry skin is a recognised side effect of this medication) and as he does not like 'sticky ' things, getting him to put on any emollients (on his body) or any kind of chap stick type thing on his lips a challenge .
His mouth now cracks and bleeds when he smiles or laughs...

I am wondering whether anybody knows whether something like Eucerin (with urea in it) is safe to use on lips??
Or any other ideas? Burt's Bees??
Nipple cream has already been rejected

Any ideas gratefully received
The attached shots does not really do it justice tbh...

[taybert]

Hmm, it's tricky, I'm on roaccutane too and my lips are fine BUT that's with probably hourly application of aquaphor during the day (it's petroleum and lanolin based so it's "sticky"). The dry lips thing happens in everyone taking it to some extent and won't get better until he's off it so he does need to use something. If I forget my tube or am in a meeting or something I can literally feel them getting drier and tighter.

Blistex is more like a cream (white and red tube). I didn't find it as good as aquaphor but frequent application of that would be preferable to nothing if that's what's happening at the moment.

Would he accept something sticky at night?

[LockedOutOfMN]

Aveda lip saver is excellent and not greasy.

[PacificDogwod]

Yes, I have plenty of Roaccutane experience - DH has taken it 3 times in the last 20 years and I see it being used in my professional capacity, so am not at all surprised at the SE DS1 is having, but blood at the dinner table is a bit off-putting all round

Thanks for your recommendations, taybert.
Yes, I was wondering whether he'd accept something last thing at night that could do its job overnight.

I've never heard of aquaphor, will look it up

[PacificDogwod]

Oh, x-post, thanks, LockedOut

[Robinkitty]

Nipple cream is the best in my opinion, You can buy Lansinoh type lip balm..

[Ratbagcatbag]

I don't like the sticky feeling either. BUT, use a massive layer of the small tins of Vaseline with aloe in, put a trout pout equivalent layer on and go to sleep. It feels better at night than in the day and it will work miracles over night.

[guffaux]

i'd second the blistex-its fantastic on my sore dry chapped lips (good on a sore chafed nose too when dealing with a heavy cold) - and because its a tube and ointmenty type thing rather than a lipsalve 'lippy' thing he might find it more 'manly' to use? it melts into the skin so doesnt feel sticky (in my experience)

[PacificDogwod]

Oh, lots of ideas!
Thank you, all x

I feel a trip to the Big Boots coming on...

[Greenvalleymama]

I find Blistex creams really good at sorting out chapped lips, especially the intensive repair one.
Carmex is pretty good too.
Both can be picked up from Boots/ Superdrug/ Supermarkets for around two pounds.
Hope you can get on top of it quickly, they look really sore.

[PacificDogwod]

No, I've not googled it....
That's far too obvious.

[MillieMoodle]

Agree Blistex intensive care cream is fabulous for sore or chapped lips. It tingles a bit at first (doesn't sting) but it does the job!

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

I love the Melvita Arnica balm.
It comes in the prettiest little pot too, so feels like a real treat.

I haven't used it on very dry lips though.

[Specialagentblond]

Blistex!!! It's £1.99 in home bargains if you have one nearby.
Someone at work was so glad she found it when she was on roaccutane x

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

Oh sorry, DS.

So forget the prettiest pot.

[bunnybleu]

Definitely Blistex! They do it in a traditional lip balm stick too (found it in B&M). Carex is good but might sting a bit. Burts Bees is gentle, or Green People do a fragrance free one in a tube. Whatever he uses is likely to be sticky though.

[taybert]

I expect you'll get the same recommendations by googling cos that's how I found the stuff I use , I'd never heard of aquaphor before either but it's the best I've found for me anyway.

I'm surprised he prefers ouchy, bleeding lips to using a chapstick!

[PacificDogwod]

I've tried 'selling' Lansinoh to him, disguised in another container, but no, 'too sticky'.
This is the child who fed himself jam on toast squares with a fork at the age of 1 because he did not like anything sticky....

I think I'll get Blistex tomorrow, will be easy to find and see how we get on.

I might get the one in the prettiest pot, mind

[fizzybootlace]

Please don't use Vaseline! I use aloe dent lip balm, you can get it in some independent pharmacies or on amazon, about £7 for 3 but last ages.

Aloe Dent Aloe Vera Lip Balm with Tea Tree & Lysine 4g (Pack of 3) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DFGDDKK/ref=cmswwrcppapi_5xa3yb5JC14T2

Not sticky or scented, DH uses it too, it really is the best!

[PacificDogwod]

I'm surprised he prefers ouchy, bleeding lips to using a chapstick!

Yes, he is a bit nuts.
We had to persuade him to consider Roaccutane even though his school shirts were stuck to his back with dried on blood and pus on a daily basis, in spite of antibiotic treatment.
So. Yes. Nuts. Priorities all wrong.

[HamletsSister]

Try the Hemp lip salve from the Body Shop.

Cannabis lips? My DS accepted it on this basis.

[BikeRunSki]

Burt's Bees
Body Shop Vit E lip balm (if they still do it; I never pass a BS anymore)
Neutrogena lip salve
Blistex

I work outside and ride a bike for fun. Lipsalves arr my specialty.

The green Vaseline with aloe Vera is pretty good too.

[omlegging]

Blistex in the metal tube with the red top is the least sticky and not at all like lip balm. Also looks the least girly of all the options. Might nip the chapped bits as contains ammonia I think but will really help.

[IMissGin]

Lanisoh nipple cream