Table 1.
Common conditions associated with lip-licking dermatitis, including typical clinical presentations, etiologies, and management.
| Condition | Clinical presentation | Etiologies | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheilitis simplex | Dry, cracked vermillion lips; can be fissured or desquamated depending on severity | Dry climates, habitual lip-licking, irritant exposure (saliva, topical acne medications, mechanical irritation) | Prevention is key; apply bland lip balm frequently throughout the day for adequate moisturization; avoid possible irritants |
| Angular cheilitis | Erythema and scaling of oral commissures, commonly associated with maceration | Overexposure to saliva (drooling, medication side effect, chronic mouth breathing in allergic rhinitis), nutritional deficiencies, chronic medical conditions (diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease) | Reduce moisture and treatment of underlying etiology; consider topical antifungal versus topical corticosteroid based on clinical presentation |
| Eczematous cheilitis | Erythema and scaling of vermilion lips, with possible fissuring; may also involve cutaneous lip | Most commonly associated with allergens, such as propolis, acrylates, nickel, cobalt, menthol, corticosteroids, preservatives, and fragrances | Reduce lip care routine to sensitive (dye, fragrance free) products only; consider use of low-potency topical steroid twice daily for 1–2 weeks if needed; if persistent, consider patch testing |
| Exfoliative cheilitis | Thick desquamative scale, most commonly along the vermilion border and involving the lower lip | Unknown etiology in most cases; possible association with actinic damage, lip-licking, nutritional deficiencies, and body-focused repetitive behaviors | Attempt to diagnose and treat underlying cause; treat secondary infections (if present) |
| Factitial cheilitis | Cyclical peeling of keratinaceous scale, involving the vermilion lips | Repetitive behaviors, such as lip-licking, biting, sucking, or picking | Habit reversal techniques are the mainstay of management; consider cognitive behavioral therapy if associated with behavioral health condition |