Chronic Dry, Chapped, Cracked Lips/Cracked Corners

[Wanderer21]

Hi. I'm 20 years old and I have been suffering watching chapped, cracked, dehydrated lips ever since I recovered from Anorexia Nervosa at age 16. So 4 years!!!
Prior to the eating disorder, my lips were NEVER this dry and chapped. I'm Nigerian and have naturally full, plump, big lips so the Angular Cheilitis has DRAMATICALLY damged my lips. Since age 18, I've been going to digfy dermatologists and NONE of them have EVER found a cute for my problem and have dismissed and neglected my lip concern. I've tried everything single lip balm, moisturizer, Lanolin, pertrolatum (Vaseline), Bag balm Aquaphor, pretty much every Lil balm you can think of. I previously used hydrocortisone and triamcinolone but the side effects include permanent lip thinning. Now, I've been taking Vitamin B2 supplement because I've heard itcan help reverse angular cheilitis and chapped lips. Its been about 5 days and the corners of my lips are in EXTREME PAIN. I don't know if the symptoms get worse before they get better😭😭😭

Anaemia.

Whenever angular cheilitis takes a hold, it tends to be common or garden, iron deficiency.

I take an iron supplement and vitamin C.

I agree, could be iron deficiency. Do you drink enough fluids or are you taking any anti chologenic medications (such as amitriptyline?). Could it be lingering because of contact dermatities cause by a food or drink?

Have you had a swab for a staph infection? fucidic acid cream or neomycin cream can help if it's that.

Which barrier cream do you currently use?

Feel for you, so painful

I have angular cheilitis too. Doc gave hydrocortisone but I'm using it sparingly. I feel for you. the fissures are awful.

I'm currently on my second week of taking Riboflavin supplements(Vitamin B2).
I've done so much research on this vitamin because many people online claimed it can help reverse and even cure chronic chapped, dry, cracked lips and cracked corners of it. My dermatologists are complete idiots when it comes to eliminating skin problems internally because their MAIN FOCUS is treating skin issues externally i.e. Vaseline, Aquaphor, creams, ointments which does NOT moistuze lips that are ALREADY dry and dehydrated. Dermatologists I've had in the past months have been extremely stubborn with hearing me out. They also lack compassion and empathy.

Have you tried putting a thick layer of unscented handcream for extra such as Palmers coconut oil or shea butter? I get very flakey, cracked lips whenever I'm stressed out, and the only think that penetrates is that.

B12 deficiency, especially if your tongue is swollen too. Look fir teeth marks around the edge of your tongue, if you have them it's swollen

Oh & I found coconut oil helped a bit, though you need to treat the underlying cause to really clear it

I would hope your dermatologist ruled this out but when I had angular chelitis for ages & nothing helped I eventually worked out I'd become sensitised to an ingredient in some toothpastes of all things.

Yep, get checked for iron deficiency and vitamin deficiencies.

Yep, I've tried shea butter, coconut oil, honey, almond oil, cocoa butter (stick and butter) vaseline, Lanisoh(lanolin), Aquaphor, Burt's Bees, pretty much EVERY lip balm/moisturizer you can think of. I condumei A LOT of water, fruits, vegetables, eggs, fish, and chicken,and nuts so diet and water consult is already out of the question.

This is a photo of what my lips have been looking like. They've gotten progressively worse since age 16. No look balm has EVER been able to reverse the cracks, splits, and dryness. I just want my lips to be smooth, soft, plump, and supple again PERMANENTLY!!!! My upper lip is naturally and genetically fuller but because of the cracks and dryness, its deceased in volume. It's taken a toll on my self-esteem.

Get checked for a b12 deficiency. I had the same.

I've been smearing Vaseline (petroleum jelly) on my lips for 3 weeks because my dermatologist said that its the main ingredient that helps with chapped lips but I continue to wake up every morning with the same crusty, ugly, chapped lips. I'm constantly having to re-apply more than 10 times a day but still left with NO IMPROVEMENTS😭😭😭

My allergy doctor tested for Vitamin B2, B6,and B3 and my results were shown with no deficiency. Maybe I'll ask for another blood test for Vitamin B12.

It could be your toothpaste you know - the inside of my mouth looked bumpy like that when I developed a contact allergy to sodium Laurel suphate. I can't remember the name of the brand I switched to, but it helped a lot - google will help.

I have to say, I don't think Vaseline is good for anything except barrier protection, as in its good for stopping things getting in, but I don't think it helps anything that's already in or on your skin.

I’m a doctor (although not a dermatologist) and would definitely second B12 deficiency. I’d also ask your GP to rule out thyroid abnormalities and iron deficiency. Good luck!

Does anyone have any recommendations for lip balms that can AT LEAST moisturize lips that are ALREADY severely dry and cracked as shown in my photo???? Vaseline dehydrates my lips despite continuous application. My dermatologist swore by it but she is a disgusting individual. She literally looked me in the eye and said my lips looked FINE! Does the photo look appealing and healthy??? I didn't think so.

I'm a mouth breather so I struggle with dry and cracked lips, I used to use vaseline all the time until I read that it actually withdraws moisture! Haven't been as bad since I stopped but still got the problem

Odd one, but I swear by Vicks vapour rub, thick layer on when you are in the house etc and when they are becoming dry apply more, loads on when you go to bed. Mine are mostly ok now if I just do it every night, but if I'm run down I need to do it more

The amount of coldsores I used to get compared to now is amazing, maybe 5 times in 4/5 years instead of monthly. They are controlled when I do with Vicks vapour rub too, far better than anything over the counter or I've been prescribed (they were dreadful) as it reduces the inflammation, works on the virus and stops it getting to the crusty stage. I get less now because I haven't got the cuts for germs to get in

Does any still have any recommendations for lip moisturizers that actually penetrate and smooth the lips instead of just forming a top barrier like vaseline. I'm going to throw my tub of vaseline in the trash because it is making my lips drier and coarser. I literally smear it all over my lips before bed and then wake up the next morning with dry, crusty ugly lips. My self-confidence is weakening because my lips are the main feature and focal point of my face. I've never felt so ugly in my entire life because of this. Please!?????!????

Have you tried Blistex, the one in the tiny metal tube with the red lid? I find it way better than Vaseline and the like.

Yes, I've tried Blistex and sadly, it never worked. I'd also like to include that my lips aren't like your ordinary chapped lips that are minor but mines are more SEVERE and DAMAGED. The texture has worsened since 2016 and my upper lip has deceased in fullness. I'm looking for a moisturizer that will smooth and reverse the texture and rejuvenate them. My photo will also be included, again.

Honestly, I’ve always found my lips get worse the more I do to them. I’ve read that lip balms generally aren’t great for your lips, they create and external layer that evaporatea and pulls away moisture in a vicious circle. There’s lot of active ingredients in them that people can be allergic to (like lanolin) and things like Vaseline form a barrier, so while moisture can’t get out, it can’t get in either.
Have you tried going cold turkey for a few days to see if you can break the cycle? No lip balms, no Vaseline, no licking or picking?

Nipple cream...honestly. I suffer the same as you with my lips and it's made such a differences .The one in the purple packaging (starts with an L?) is a little expensive but works the best!

I'm stunned a dermatologist would suggest Vaseline.

Try blisteze for when they are bad and I like burts bees for daily use. My flatmate who is Sudanese said burts was no good for him. He like palmers cocoa butter lip balm.

As for the AC usually the infection is either bacterial or fungal. If anti bacterial treatments aren't working try fungicidal. Daktarin do an oral fungicide ir I've even used athletes foot cream.

have you had any major dental work?

Also gently exfoliate your lips. GENTLY! Lots of lip balm then gently rub with a flannel.