Symptoms of inflammation of the lip

Whether it is an inflammation of the lips is determined by a medical eye diagnosis, i.e. by the appearance of the lips alone. Afterwards, the doctor will ask you thoroughly about other possible symptoms, current illnesses or previous illnesses, and if necessary also about lifestyle habits, such as frequent sunbathing, in order to identify the triggering cause. If there is any suspicion, further examinations can be performed. These range from blood tests to so-called smear tests of the affected lip area. Smears represent the taking of tissue samples, for example with a sterile swab, from superficial wounds or mucous membranes to detect a possible bacterial pathogen.

Therapy for inflammation of the lip

In general, the treatment of lip inflammation depends on the cause. In order to counteract dryness, it is usually recommended to apply greasing caring creams or ointments, such as Vaseline or zinc paste, which you can buy in consultation with your doctor at the pharmacy or even over the counter at the drugstore. Ointments containing cortisone also help to reduce the inflammation for a short time.

However, these should not be applied to the lips for longer than two to four weeks and no more than twice a day! Otherwise there is a risk that the skin around the mouth will thin out and become vulnerable. An old household remedy is the application of honey to the chapped lips.

However, this is only recommended for a light form of dry lips. If the lip inflammation is based on a certain basic disease, it should be treated by your doctor. For example, optimal blood sugar control for diabetes or a compensatory iron intake for iron deficiency.

If a bacterial infection causes the inflammation of the lips, you will probably be prescribed an antibiotic to combat the bacterial pathogen in consultation with your doctor. If the body’s immune system is affected, as in Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome, it may even be necessary to treat the disease with a so-called immunosuppressive agent, a drug that suppresses the body’s own immune defenses. There are a variety of ointments that can be applied in the case of inflammation of the lip.

However, it is important to know the cause of the inflammation. Chamomile helps against swelling in general, an acyclovir ointment should be applied in the case of lip herpes, and dermatologically tested pimple sticks from the pharmacy can help with pimples. To prevent inflammation of the lips, the lips should be kept supple with a grease pencil, especially in winter, and a special sunscreen should be applied in case of high sunlight (even when skiing in winter!). In order to support the immune system, a balanced diet should ensure that all important nutrients and vitamins are consumed.