Lip licker's dermatitis

Lip licker's dermatitis
Other namesIrritant contact cheilitis, perioral irritant contact dermatitis, perioral dermatitis
Lip licker's dermatitis from a child repeatedly licking their lips
CausesRepeated lip licking
Diagnostic methodBased on symptoms
Differential diagnosisPerioral dermatitis allergic contact dermatitis
MedicationEmollient Lip Balm Topical steroid

Lip licker's dermatitis is a type of skin inflammation around the lips due to damage by saliva from repetitive lip licking and is classified as a subtype of irritant contact cheilitis.[1][2] The resulting scaling, redness, chapping, and crusting makes a well-defined ring around the lips. The rash may extend as far as the tongue can reach and usually does not occur at the corners of the mouth. It commonly occurs during winter months but some people can have it year-round if lip licking is a chronic habit.[1]

Lip licker's dermatitis differs from perioral dermatitis, which spares the vermilion border.[3][4] Allergic contact dermatitis presents similar signs and symptoms that can be differentiated from lip licker's dermatitis with an allergy patch skin test.[5]

It is treated with simple moisturizers, emollients, and sometimes topical steroids, while perioral dermatitis is worsened by topical steroids.[6][7][4] It is important to identify the cause of the inflammation, whether it is due to lip licking or a more complex cause, in order to successfully treat and alleviate symptoms. Children are affected more often than adults and sometimes special approaches need to be considered especially if there is a psychological aspect to the lip licking behavior.[8][9]

  1. ^ a b Fonseca, Allene; Jacob, Sharon; Sindle, Allison (2020). "Art of prevention: Practical interventions in lip-licking dermatitis". International Journal of Women's Dermatology. 6 (5): 377–380. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2020.06.001. ISSN 2352-6475. PMC 8060673. PMID 33898702.
  2. ^ Gray, Mikel; Black, Joyce M.; Baharestani, Mona M.; Bliss, Donna Z.; Colwell, Janice C.; Goldberg, Margaret; Kennedy-Evans, Karen L.; Logan, Susan; Ratliff, Catherine R. (2011). "Moisture-associated skin damage: overview and pathophysiology". Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing. 38 (3): 233–241. doi:10.1097/WON.0b013e318215f798. ISSN 1528-3976. PMID 21490547.
  3. ^ Cohen, Bernard C (2013). "9. Oral Cavity". Paediatric Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. pp. 240–263. ISBN 978-0-7234-3655-3.
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Hur2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Dyall-Smith, Delwyn. "Eczematous cheilitis | DermNet NZ". dermnetnz.org. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  7. ^ "EK02.21 Irritant contact dermatitis due to saliva". icd.who.int. ICD-11 - Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Hardin, J. Matthew (2021), Knoop, Kevin J.; Stack, Lawrence B.; Storrow, Alan B.; Thurman, R. Jason (eds.), "Lip Licker's Dermatitis", The Atlas of Emergency Medicine (5 ed.), New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, retrieved 2021-07-26