My daughter has this chronic issue with her lips that we cannot figure out. They get red, a little itchy, sometimes they get little sores that ooze. UGH she is a mess. Then it will gradually disappear only to re appear a month or two later.
She is been off abx since June. Is on Chinese herbs, different supplements to include probiotics. They have been doing this off and on for over a year.
Any ideas????????????????????????????
Thanks
Deb g
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
It sounds like an allergic reaction.
I would keep a diary of anything she eats or touches her lips. It could even be toothpaste.
It happens to me with mint toothpaste. I can only use Strawberry Tom's and a few others.
I've actually had rashes from Chinese herbs before.
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
It does sound allergic.
My husband gets mouth and lip sores from sodium laurel sulfate in natural toothpastes. Just something else to check out.
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
I would try applying an antibiotic cream and a hydrocortisone cream before bed, obviously avoiding the mouth.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
Allergy. Husband gets this bad just from the sun.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Just some caution, hydrocortisone cream gave me permanent eye damage (and I wasn't even using on my eyes).
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Toothpaste is a biggie for me as well.
Could it be an allergy lipgloss, face cream, fabric softener or laundry soap?
Some supplements have fillers that can cause allergies. Pure Encapsulations keeps the fillers to minimum or zero.
What about oranges, tomatoes, spicy or salty foods? Anything that would make her salivate more or lick her lips more?
Sometimes from stress or concentration, I chew my lips. Could this be something she is doing subconsciously?
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
I am so sorry she has these problems. I can't say what it could be, but whenever I see "red-lips" mentioned, especially this time of year (cold weather/heat on), I automatically consider carbon monoxide poisoning.
To be on the safe side, it wouldn't hurt my feelings if you'd double check that possibility to be sure it is not the cause. If it were to be, as you probably know, it needs to be addressed ASAP.
Now that you've gotten the public service announcement portion of my message- from Ms. Safety herself- you may want to consider viruses, or as mentioned above, allergies.
I don't know what causes my cherry red lips that flare here and there, but it is annoying. Almost feels like they are on fire, and VERY dry, as if I were severely dehydrated.
Could it be Lyme? Don't know. But, until I find out different I'll blame it on Lyme.
The only thing else I can think of is to tell her she must stop trying to kiss bumble bees! Or, as I've heard some folks do, tell her to stop bobbing for french fries!
Hope you get some answers!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Agreed, SLS in toothpaste is the worst offender.
I have similar issues with lips (and mouth). I have yet to find even a natural toothpaste, though, that is not just like fire in my mouth so can't suggest what might work but do stay away from all commercial toothpastes and mouthwash.
Welenda makes the most gentle toothpaste I've found -- can't remember the name. Most times, I just use coconut oil.
SEA BUCKTHORN OIL helps me, in the mouth.
And, after trying every lip balm on this planet, this is the only kind does not make the matter worse, and helps. Stays on longer, too.
It's important that ingredients be organic, if possible because that means non-GMO.
Gluten free is also important. It's nice to see a lip balm certified GF, this one is not, but I see nothing that could be gluten. Some Vitamin E is gluten (from wheat germ oil), so be careful of that.
Don't know your daughter's age, but lipstick can pose quite a problem. Many have harsh chemicals and heavy metals. And anything we put on our lips, is food, it goes into us.
Best to avoid all petroleum products on face and lips. And that's just about anything in the typical commercial product line.
Excitotoxins; MSG; Aspartame; & "Natural" Flavors (that are not likely natural at all);
GMO foods that destroy the GI Tract; Gluten; Dairy. -
Posted by Deb133 (Member # 18544) on :
wow thanks for all your responses. I have read each and every one of them. I left a message on her LLMD's voicemail asking if I can email a picture of her lips to him.
She is a sophomore in college two hours away from here which makes things a little more difficult.
I was also researching candida as I think this may be a possibility also.
Thanks so much guys!
Deb g
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
Oh my yes. Crest advantage tore my mouth up something awful. My gums bled and my mouth actually peeled. ..
Check web for. Crest advantage and you will find lots of people are having problems with it.
Jus t a heads up
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Another thing I thought of is it could be a combo that's irritating the lips.
Like drinking hot coffee or tea (which will open up the pores) and then something irritating touching the lips.
That may be why the reactions are erratic.
Posted by karenl (Member # 17753) on :
Was she tested for all herpes viruses?
Posted by Suebear (Member # 42596) on :
I had a bout with swollen red lips with blister like oozing sores. Mine was caused by yeast. After lots of yeast meds, the only thing that helped was a yeast free diet. Within 3/4 weeks all my symptoms had subsided and my yeast was back in check.
I use Doug Kaufmann's Anti-Fungal diet. Has lists of what to eat, what not to eat, a grocery list etc. very user friendly.
God Bless
Posted by blinkie1 (Member # 42790) on :
Has your daughter ever used a cortocosteriod inhaler like Advair? I got a terrible yeast infection on my lips from using these. For a year I didn't know what was wrong. Sore, painful, blisters, burning. I had a hunch and used OTC yeast cream on them and within 20 days, they were healed.
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
Quote: The type of bulla that may occur in erythema multiforme is shown here. Mucosal lesions are not uncommon. Erythema multiforme is a self-healing disease, with an average duration of about 2 weeks.
Herpes simplex infection is by far the most common etiologic agent. Finally, a wide variety of drugs, most commonly the sulfonamides, may cause this syndrome.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)