Reviewed: November 29, 2022. Most people have experienced chapped lips at some point in their lives. Medically known as cheilitis, chapped lips are characterized by cracks or fissures in the lips (usually the lower one) and
Cheilitis simplex (chapped lips, common cheilitis, cheilitis sicca) is one of the most common subtypes, presenting as cracked lips, fissures or desquamation of the lips, usually of the lower lip (Fig.
Chapped lips are the result of dry, cracked skin on your lips due to cold or dry weather, sun exposure, frequently licking your lips or dehydration. You can treat chapped lips at home with the use of lip balm or ointment to ease any discomfort.
The homogenous pink color of the healthy lip (Figure A) is replaced with non-homogenous white/gray, pink, red, or brown areas and the normally sharp vermillion/skin border becomes less distinct (Figure B). In more advanced stages, the lip may appear cracked or show ulcerations (ie sores) or crusting.
Symptoms of Actinic Cheilitis
Dry lips: the lips become dry in the first stage. Dryness of the lips means lack of moisture. Color of lips: lips are usually red in color, but for those who have AC the lips appear abnormally red or the color of the lip may not be uniform. Some parts of the lip turn white and pale.
Dry, chapped lips: Frequent exposure to hot or dry winds can cause loss of plasticity of keratin in vermillion, leading to sores and dry, scaly lips. The patient might get into the habit of chronic licking of lips to pick up scales, which further aggravates the problem.
A precancerous condition that can lead to squamous cell cancer of the lip is actinic cheilitis. Symptoms include: Scaly whitish patches on the lip. Dryness or peeling that won't heal.
B Vitamins Deficiency: specifically vitamin B-12 (Riboflavin) can cause cracked lips that have difficulty healing. Angular cheilitis is a severe and very uncomfortable lip condition in which cracks and sores are present in the skin at the corners of the mouth when there is a B vitamin deficiency.
Non-surgical treatments for AC include topical therapies such as 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, trichloroacetic acid, ingenol mebutate, diclofenac, phototherapy, topical DNA enzyme repair creams, photoprotection, and curettage with methyl aminolevulinate cream/daylight PDT.
Actinic cheilitis (AC) is condition that affects the vermilion border of the lower lip due to sun exposure It is characterized by dryness and thickening of lips. A complete cure from AC can be achieved only if manifestations are noted on time in addition to proper medication and treatment.
Best for Actinic Cheilitis
Vaseline Advanced Healing is made with 100% white petroleum jelly, which is safe to use, incredibly gentle and restorative for cracked skin, and highly recommended by Dr. Jackson.
Share on Pinterest Most cases of actinic cheilitis may be treated with moisturiser, drinking plenty of fluids, and staying out of the sun. Limiting further sun exposure is usually the most important part of treatment. Moisturizers and staying hydrated can often help reduce symptoms of dryness.
This excessive salivary flow eventually dries out, leading to the development of yellowish plaques (or crusts) that cover the labial mucosa surface. These plaques are easily removed but form again, mainly during sleep.
The secret to dealing with dry, sore, chapped lips is to find a way to lock in moisture and protect the lips from the cold, dry air. Vaseline® Healing Jelly is an excellent choice as it forms a protective layer on the lips and penetrates deep down to rehydrate the skin and speed up the its natural renewal process.
Actinic cheilitis is a form of actinic keratosis, or a precancerous skin lesion. It presents as dry, chapped, scaly lips with white patches or discoloration. People who are frequently exposed to UV rays from the sun or tanning beds are at greater risk, especially when sun protection is not involved.
Actinic Cheilitis (AC) is caused by long-term exposure to the sun. It may look like chapped lips initially that may later become scaly or white. It is generally painless, but if left untreated, it may cause squamous cell carcinoma – a type of skin cancer.
How to spot actinic keratoses. Flat to slightly raised, scaly, crusty, rough, sometimes with a raised horn shape or bump. Red, tan, pink, skin-colored, brown or silvery. Dimensions vary from a tiny spot to as much as an inch in diameter.
Actinic cheilitis is a precancerous condition caused by long-term sun exposure. It leads to rough, scaly, discolored patches on your lips. It's more common in men, people with fair skin, those who work outside and populations in places where the sun is stronger.
Actinic keratosis and actinic cheilitis can develop into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. Squamous cell carcinoma is a treatable form of cancer with a low risk of death. It will cause damage to skin, nerves, and blood vessels if it isn't treated.
Among the most frequent causes of this disease in women is the dye used to impart lasting qualities to indelible lipsticks. This dye is dibromfluorescein, tribromfluorescein or tetrabromfluorescein. 1. Ayres, S., Jr.: Chronic Actinic Cheilitis , J. A. M. A. 81:1183-1186 ( (Oct.