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...

I'm massively allergic to Eucerin, so please be very careful if you ever try it.

Vaseline and lanisoh also make my lips peel, I'm fine with blistex and Burt's bees, but eight hour cream wins.

Blistex cream here followed by pawpaw papaya balm x

Another vote for Blistex from me.

I also think it would be worth calling the dermatologist/medical secretary for two reasons:

1: A Recommendation for the chapped lips

2: In order to seek advice. I had very chapped lips when taking roaccutane and my dermatologist lowered the dose, as apparently too much roaccutane had built up in my system, hence the chapped lips. It would be worth seeking the dermatologists opinion, as roaccutane is powerful (potentially damaging) stuff and not worth messing around with.

I was told by all the dermatologists I've seen not to use Vaseline because it doesn't moisturise, it's a barrier that stops moisture escaping. However it also doesn't let the skin breathe and therefore heal properly so you have to keep using it. I had terrible peeling lips and was only able to stop using a prescription ointment when I found Aloe Dent, and I've tried almost everything on the high street! It's really worth a try.

Try Nuxe Reve de Miele Pot not tube it is thick but no white cast

Another vote for Blistex. It's brilliant for badly chapped lips. Stings slightly when it goes on but that feels quite reassuring and 'medical' I find... not sticky or 'lipstick' shaped in any way. No mention of nipples too which is a bonus! I hope your DS finds something that really works for him.

The body shop hemp one is the only one that currently works for me, and is lanolin and petroleum free (both of those cause me irritation on my lips). Its a bit expensive but worth it! I might have to try 8 hour cream based on all the recommendations though!

Carmex is good but stings like fuck.

I had huge cracks in the corners of my mouth, I eventually went to the GP who right away though my iron levels were low, she was right and blood tests showed up anemia.

Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream

Another vote for the eight hour cream. It is most definitely sticky. But I use it overnight and it sorts mine out beautifully by morning. Doesn't cause the peeling off I've had with other products either. I'm taking roaccutane too, final dose tomorrow!!

For those getting the cracks in corners. It can be caused by vitamin deficiencies. But then thrush is the reason they won't heal. After a long time suffering these, I discovered that a tiny dab of full strength canesten (the 2% stuff) gets rid of them overnight.

8 hour cream is petroleum and lanolin based so beware if those things irritate you.

I started a desperate thread before Christmas about mega dry lips and Aquaphor was recommended among others. It's the best I've ever tried and in the past I'd tried PawPaw, Lansinoh, Lanolips, Blistex and others. I got it off Amazon which was cheaper than Boots:

www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=aquaphor+lip+repair&tag=mumsnetforum-21

Having gone through roaccutane treatment myself (and trying just about everything lip balm wise in almost every combination imaginable) I was going to suggest the Eucerin one. It's much thinner than most lip balms so less sticky and more easily absorbed, which for my lips at least meant it did a better job of penetrating the dry skin and softening it rather than just sitting on top. It also helped bring the redness down too. It needed applying very frequently and I did like to put a thicker balm on over the top at night (8 hour cream for me). I see the pot of Nuxe Reve de Miel has been mentioned too, not as moisturising, but a good one for boys as it feels more dry on the lips and is completely matte. I'd still layer it over the Eucerin one for best results though.

I use Eucerin with urea on my face and slather it over my mouth too so unless you are sensitive to it for some reason I think it should be OK on lips.

But - has he tried taking fish oils? Is he allowed too with the drug (I know Vit A cannot be taken with it and maybe the fish oils have too much in?) or, if not fish oils, some other skin oil without Vit A taken orally might help?

Carmex original in the squeezy tube, it doesnt feel tacky and is the best for sore lips. Has to be tge original one though. Its also good on the nose if its red and sore when u have cold

Nuxe or Burts Bees. Nuxe is my favourite, the pot is much better than the stick.

Grease him up like a channel swimmer while he's asleep??

Skin Salvation by Pure potions. They do a lip balm now www.purepotions.co.uk/products/skin-salvation-intensive-lip-balm