Lip licker’s dermatitis, also known as lip-licking eczema or lick cheilitis, is a condition in which dry, red skin appears around the sides of the mouth. It comes under the umbrella of irritant contact dermatitis. A person will feel cracked and inflamed skin that causes pain. This condition is the reaction of the lips as they encounter an irritant, which is none other than the person’s own saliva.

Constant licking or wetting the lips with saliva removes the natural oils and the moisture that leads to the lips' redness, dryness, and cracking. Children can more easily develop this condition than adults. In this blog, we will walk you through the causes of Lip Licker’s dermatitis and Lip Licker’s dermatitis potential treatment.  

Signs of Lip Licker’s Dermatitis: 

• Dryness 

• Cracks 

• Flaking 

• Scales 

• Sores 

• Swelling 

• Cracks 

If the condition doesn't go away with all the treatments and preventive measures, the dermatologist will ask you to take the Thin-layer Rapid Epicutaneous or T.R.U.E test.  

 
The T.R.U.E test helps differentiate Lip Licker's dermatitis from allergic contact dermatitis. However, if the dryness and lip cracking are due to allergic contact dermatitis, the T.R.U.E test is used to identify the causative allergens. 

Non-Physiological Factors Causing Lip Licker’s Dermatitis 

Since lips do not have oil glands and are sensitive to drying out, we tend to lick our lips frequently to keep them moist. However, the digestive enzymes in our saliva do more damage than good and harm the delicate skin of the lips.  
 
In addition to frequent licking, the following are other causative factors for Lip Licker's Dermatitis: 

• Dry Lips 
  People with dry and chapped lips often lick them for temporary relief, which worsens the dryness and flakiness. 
   
• Cold and Dry Weather 
  Lip Licker's dermatitis occurs commonly in the winter season as the dry and cold weather aggravates lip dryness, which in turn is worsened by frequent licking. 
   
• Medications 
  Certain medications, such as acne medications or those consisting of retinoids, contribute to the dryness of lips. People who use these medications should apply balms or emollients as preventive measures. 
  
  
• Physiological Disorders 
  Lip licking has also been found to be a common habit in some people who lick their lips during stress and nervousness. 
   
• Breathing from Mouth 
  Continuous breathing from the mouth also leads to dry lips. As discussed earlier, licking lips to combat the dry sensation aggravates it even more. 

Physiological Conditions that Lead to Lip Licker’s Dermatitis 

In addition to licking lips due to dryness or out of habit, some underlying medical conditions contribute to Lip Licker's dermatitis.

• Atopic DermatitisPeople with atopic dermatitis (eczema) tend to have drier, more sensitive skin. This dryness can extend to the lips, making them itchy and uncomfortable.

• Nutritional DeficienciesHealthy lips have a natural barrier that keeps them moist and protects them from irritants. Deficiencies in B vitamins, particularly riboflavin (B2) and zinc, can weaken this barrier. Furthermore, some deficiencies, like iron deficiency, can contribute to mild inflammation. This dryness and vulnerability can lead to itchiness and discomfort, prompting licking.

• AllergiesAllergies, especially those causing reactions in the mouth or throat, can lead to dry mouth and throat. This dryness can extend to the lips, making them feel itchy and uncomfortable. Moreover, certain allergies, particularly those related to food, can be linked to atopic dermatitis (eczema). As mentioned, eczema, including the lips, makes the skin drier and more sensitive. This dryness triggers the lip licking cycle. If you suspect any of these underlying medical conditions, consult a physician to determine the cause and potential treatment for LLD. 

Chronic Lip Licking 

Persistent lip licking can turn into a chronic case, impairing the epidermal barrier, followed by lip dryness, peeling, and even bleeding. Some common conditions associated with chronic lip-licking are angular cheilitis, cheilitis simplex, and eczematous cheilitis. Moreover, cracked lips increase the risk of infections due to damaged skin barriers, facilitating the entry of microbes into the skin. 

Treatments of Lip Licker’s Dermatitis 

Now that we have understood the causes of Lip Licker's dermatitis, let's explore its treatment options.

• Moisture and Hydration

Hydration is the key to combat Lip Licker's dermatitis. A person should hydrate themselves and their lips through moisturizing lip balms. Furthermore, lip balms consisting of sunscreen properties are a better fit as UV rays are also harmful for the sensitive lip area. 

• Applying Emollients

Using thick emollient like petroleum jelly can give you some protection and relief, but the ultimate healing depends on avoiding licking the lips. 

• Overcoming Habit 

A viable treatment for habitual lip lickers includes applying a thick lip balm that protects the lips from harmful enzymes. 

• Preventive Measures in Cold Weather

As discussed previously, cold weather contributes to lip dryness, which we tend to overcome by licking, triggering a detrimental cycle. Hence, it is crucial to maintain hydration and moisture through emollients, lip balms, and humidifiers to minimize dryness. 

• Medical Treatment

In case of severe lip licker's dermatitis, healthcare providers may suggest topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and speed up healing. 

Management Strategies for Children with Lip Licker's Dermatitis   

Lip licker's dermatitis is complex to manage in children due to their tendency to habitual licking. Here are a few strategies to manage it in children.   

• Education and Awareness: 

Educate parents and caregivers on lip licker’s dermatitis, its causes and prevention. Tell them to identify the habit of licking lips in their children and the measures necessary to stop it.     

Children must understand the harm of repetitive licking and must be taught the the significance of proper lip care. It can be done through addressing the issue to them in easy language and through child-friendly visual aids 

• Positive Reinforcements:

Parents need to use different strategies such as positive reinforcements like praise or rewards, to break the habit in children. Give them alternates like using a children-friendly lip balm, or sugar-free gums. Moreover, build in them a habit of drinking water adequately to keep the lips hydrated.  

• Moisturization:

Parents can give child-friendly lip balms or emollients to their children to apply when they feel dry lips. Use fragrance-free products to lessen the risk of irritation. Encourage the kids to regularly apply lip balms, especially before doing any outdoor activity and in dry and cold weather. 

Conclusion:  

Lip licker’s dermatitis is a condition in which dry, red skin appears around the sides of the mouth. It comes under the umbrella of irritant contact dermatitis. Factors like dry weather, medications, and psychological disorders can cause this condition. There are some measures to treat the disease like avoiding licking your lips, applying lip balms, and using a humidifier indoors. Furthermore, some underlying conditions can cause lip licker’s disease as well, so identifying them is necessary to get better treatment. Lastly, this condition is more prone in children than in adults, so parents need to take some measures to treat this condition in their children.  

There are many studies underway on finding effective treatments for lip licker’s dermatitis. Individuals can easily enroll themselves in paid clinical trials in Boston to find a potential treatment.