Licking of lips can cause dermatitis, says consultant doctor

A Consultant Dermatologist, Folakemi Cole-Adeife, has cautioned against often licking of lips, explaining that such can cause Lip Licker’s Dermatitis (LLD), as a result of dry, cracked and peeled lips.

Penpushing reports that Cole-Adeife, who is a Consultant Doctor at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos State, was quoted to have given the caution in an interview and recommended breaking of the habit of licking one’s lips.

The Consultant explained and emphasized that Lip Licker’s Dermatitis (LLD), is a type of skin inflammation around the lips which happens when people lick their lips often, stressing that saliva actually irritates the skin because it is meant to be inside the mouth and not on the lips.

‘The saliva actually irritates the skin because it is meant to be inside the mouth and not on the lips. And so, saliva irritates the skin because it is a bit alkaline and can cause dysfunction of the skin barrier when you are constantly licking your lips, that is, on the lips and around the lips. People who lick their lips a lot tend to have this type of inflammation with dry, cracked or peeled lips quite often’, she said.

Penpushing further reports that Cole-Adeife suggested chewing gum as an alternative and applying a good emollient, like Vaseline, to keep the lips moisturized, pointing out that some people might experience dry and cracked lips due to reactions from toothpaste, lipsticks or other products they frequently apply to their lips.

The dermatologist also warned that women in particular should look through their lipsticks and make sure they are not an allergic reaction, stressing that, even being dehydrated can lead you to have dry, peeled lips

‘For women in particular, look through your lipsticks and make sure they are not an allergic reaction. And finally, even being dehydrated can lead you to have dry, peeled lips’, she emphasisied

‘You need to stay hydrated and moisturise your lips frequently. You can use Vaseline once in a while or hyaluronic acid containing cream to help pump up your lips, particularly at night. And if you want to get a lip balm, make sure it contains sunscreen because you need to protect your lips from excessive exposure to sun’,Cole-Adeife said.

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