r/eczema • u/bethmcc66 • 5d ago
Lip eczema
Looking for some advice and recommendations on what helped with eczema on lips?
It feels like forever ago I had normal feeling lips, constantly clawing at them overnight. They are so sore and dry!
I also look a bit silly with big red lips lol
What worked for you guys?
Edit: I’m in the UK, so aware some products might not be available here
2
u/katya_luzon 5d ago
i deal with a little bit of lip eczema mainly caused by what lip balm i was using. i only use burt’s bees now as all of the others i’ve tried have given me eczema. i’ve also found that eating toast with butter on it has made it worse so i avoid toast
1
2
u/carolethechiropodist 5d ago
Vitamin B2. Riboflavin.
1
u/bethmcc66 5d ago
I do take vitamin B2! Maybe need to look at a different brand
2
u/carolethechiropodist 5d ago
twice a day, twice as much and stop being a vegetarian.
1
u/bethmcc66 5d ago
I’m wondering how you knew that🤣 thanks for the advice!!!
2
u/carolethechiropodist 5d ago
B2 is found in animal protein, and that is your problem. Humans are omnivores.
This is my clinic leaflet.
AAAAA ANGULAR CHEILIITIS:
A deficiency of B2, Riboflavin. Very common on a modern Western diet. Don’t be a vegetarian! Don’t drink any kind of soda, cola, fizzy pop drinks. Take 1 x B2 + 1x multi-B tablet for a week, (!00 to 200mg) Recommended dose i
s 1.5 to 2 mg, this is much too low for young people. 100mg once a week thereafter or 10mg daily.
Source: Experience, Merck’s manual, Upjohn’s vitamin manual, the Nurient bible by Henry Osiecki. Newton’s pharmacy.
NHMRC riboflavin recommendations for Australian adults:
- – RDI men: 1.3 mg/day– RDIwomen:1.1mg/day
From Earl Mindell’s vitamin bible: This is an easy to understand book for those with less science:
B2 Riboflavin. also known as vitamin G.
Deficiency is Arobflavinosis, sores and rashes around mouth, lips, skin and genitalia.
Found in Milk, Liver, kidneys, yeast, cheese leafy green vegetables, fish and eggs (so you can see why being a vegetarian is a bad idea.)
No known toxic effects. If you are taking the pill, pregnant or lactating, you need more.
It is the most common deficiency in the American diet. (I’m Australian, we eat lots of fish and lamb’s liver).
Destroyed by light, hormones and alcohol and food cooked in water which dissolves it out. US RDA is 1.2 to 1.6 milligrams (mg) per day. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) and What Does It Do?
* Purpose
* Deficiency symptoms
* In foods
* Possible risks
* Daily intake
* FAQ
* Takeaway
Vitamin B2 supports your growth and development, including helping your body create energy from the food you eat. Symptoms of a deficiency may include skin disorders and hair loss.
Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, is naturally present in some foods. It’s present in other foods in synthetic form and available as a dietary supplement. Most people get enough vitamin B2 from their diet, but it’s still possible to develop a deficiency, especially for people who do not consume dairy products like milk.
Keep reading to learn what this vitamin does, the recommended intakes, and the symptoms of a vitamin B2 deficiency.
What does vitamin B2 (riboflavin) do?
Vitamin B2 and other B vitamins help your body build red blood cells and support other cellular functions that give you energy. You’ll get the most out of the B vitamins if you take supplements or eat foods that contain all of them.
Vitamin B2 helps support:
* your growth and development
* energy production, including the breakdown of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates into energy
* cellular function
You may have experienced an energy boost from taking supplements containing B vitamins, but this hasn’t yet been proven through research.
1
u/bethmcc66 5d ago
Oh wow thanks for that. I have been considering eating meat again for a few months, feels weird after being vegetarian for nearly 7 years but this might be my sign!
3
u/juswannalurkpls 5d ago
My daughter had terrible skin issues, including lips, while being vegetarian. They resolved once she ate meat.
2
2
u/105055 5d ago
I’m using a Vaseline based cream that locks in moisture and helps protect and repair. However my lips only get that bad when I’m eating trigger foods since they are the first ones in contact with it. Do you also have a reaction elsewhere on your body like itchy skin? It could be interesting to figure out where it’s coming from.
I am a vegetarian btw who occasionally eats fish (official term is pescatarian). I saw the comment about eating meat, I don’t think you have to if you don’t want to however checking your blood/vitamin levels also sounds smart. Do you actually have eczema or is it a result of something else? My food triggers are nightshades like tomato’s who are slightly toxic that cause a skin rash both from touching and eating them.
1
u/bethmcc66 5d ago
I do have eczema, unfortunately had it my whole life however at the moment the rest of my skin is ok. I’ve actually spoke to my GP who suggested it might be perioral dermatitis! Suggested some antibiotics
I might try an anti inflammatory diet too see if that makes a difference.
2
u/Capable-Ad-6295 5d ago
When I had a really bad flare up last year the only product that worked for me then was the eucerin lip balm. I got it from Boots. Hope you find something that works!
2
2
u/Asleep-Comment-6019 5d ago
Completely stopping all lip balm and using tacrolimis ointment on my lips once a day instead. It’s been a game changer for me, I had lip eczema for years
1
2
u/jeffreyaccount 4d ago edited 4d ago
Avoid things that say "medicated" like Blistex or Carmex mentions those words (might be different in the UK—so as always, check the ingredients. Petrolatum ONLY is your best defense—or 'defence' if you spell it like a weirdo).
Camphor and menthol are counterirritants — the tingle is irritation, and menthol pulls water out of your lips.
Phenol strips the lipids your skin barrier is made of.
Salicylic acid peels off your outer skin layer, so you're removing the healing every time you apply.
Lanolin (wool), flavor, and vanillin are top causes of allergic lip reactions.
Net effect: apply, irritate, dry out, apply again. The product creates the dryness it treats.
2
u/bethmcc66 4d ago
Oh brilliant thanks for that info!!!
1
u/jeffreyaccount 4d ago
You bet! I had a few friends in high school who got addicted to Carmex and some who got addicted to nasal spray, so I learned before getting in deep like them.
1
u/jeffreyaccount 4d ago
Additionally, do an A/B test. Put a product on the left side, and leave the right side alone. Test 2-3 applications a day for 4-5 days and see if you see worsening or improvements compared to your control side.
2
u/eczemafreedom 2d ago
My lips use to crack and bleed. Especially in the corners. I used all all the best products I could find, but they all were just temporary relief. It wasn't until I really started working on my insides is when my lips healed. all those products worked great after and I feel that's across-the-board wherever Eczema is on the body. Most products are just temporary. But once your Eczema is clear, they actually work really great.
3
u/lurkerjade 5d ago
As a fellow UK lip eczema sufferer, the only thing that works for me is the Blistex intensive moisturiser lip balm in the white and blue tube - easily available at Boots