The aim of the treatment will be to reduce lips drying and peeling. Typically people will try to use the common lip balms:
- medicated lip balm: Burt’s Bees Medicated Lip Balm, Dermatone Medicated Lip Balm, and Dr. Dans CortiBalm Lip Balm
- organic lip balm: Juice Beauty SPF 8 Lip Moisturizers, Henne Organics Luxury Lip Balm, and Eco Lips Vegan Bee Free Lip Balm
- natural oils: olive oil, coconut oil
- emollients: vaseline, aquaphor, cerave healing ointment
Some specific medications for reducing lip inflammation:
- Topical corticosteroid cream
- Calendula officinalis
- Topical tacrolimus
Some sufferers may need antidepressants or drugs that help with obsessive compulsive disorders:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
These are typically the list of drugs your GP or dermatologist may put you on. Sadly, you may find one thing helping you more or the other from time to time. I have tried almost all the topical creams/ ointments you name it. To me it seems cerave healing ointment is the best lip balm during the day. At some point, I was prescribed topical steroids, topical tacrolimus, and Calendula Officinalis. I do see some sort of improvement for the inflammation but no long term fix here. I was also prescribed prozac for a while to help with my mood.
These days I manage to live my days with little worry about my lip condition. I try to have a healthy diet. Do regular exercises. Drink lots of fluids. During the day I keep on applying Cerave healing ointment. I would still have a build up in a week or so, but it will go away when I brush my teeth and I am not too worried about it.
I manage to live my life and have a normal social life.