What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Irritant Contact Cheilitis due to Lip-Licking
• Lip-Licking Eczema
• Perioral Irritant Contact Dermatitis

What is Lip Licker’s Dermatitis? (Definition/Background Information)

• Lip Licker’s Dermatitis is a skin condition that arises due to reaction of the lips and surrounding skin to saliva. It is a form of irritant contact dermatitis that may develop from lip-licking or drooling
• The condition may be seen in young children or elderly adults, especially those with neurological conditions causing cognitive impairment. Lip Licker’s Dermatitis manifests as red rashes on skin around the mouth with burning sensation
• A treatment of the condition involves modification of the behavior causing Lip Licker’s Dermatitis, or treating the underlying neurological condition (if any), apart from the use of topical creams and ointments 

Who gets Lip Licker’s Dermatitis? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Lip Licker’s Dermatitis may be observed in individuals of a wide age group, although many cases are observed in young children of school-going age and very old adults
• Both males and females are affected
• Worldwide, there is no racial or ethnic preference observed

What are the Risk Factors for Lip Licker’s Dermatitis? (Predisposing Factors)

The risk factors for Lip Licker’s Dermatitis include:

• Habitually licking one’s lips
• Drooling of saliva while sleeping
• Individuals with neurological or mental health conditions

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one’s chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Lip Licker’s Dermatitis? (Etiology)

Lip Licker’s Dermatitis is caused from skin reaction to one’s own saliva, which is the irritant substance in this condition.

• The skin is initially wet with saliva (due to actions such as lip-licking), which dries, and then gets wet again
• This wet-dry-wet cycle results in an inflammatory skin reaction due to disruption of the skin barrier function
• The inflamed skin is prone to more lip-licking, making the condition even worse

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Lip Licker’s Dermatitis?

The signs and symptoms of Lip Licker’s Dermatitis may include:

• Redness of lips and skin around the mouth 
• The area of inflammation is typically the skin area around one’s mouth within the tongue’s reach
• Dryness and scaling of skin
• This can cause discomfort and burning sensation
• The condition gets worse during winters

Lip Licker’s Dermatitis may be more prominent in individuals who are fair-skinned than those who are dark-skinned.

How is Lip Licker’s Dermatitis Diagnosed?

A diagnosis of Lip Licker’s Dermatitis may involve the following exams and procedures:

• Physical examination of the individual and medical history evaluation; a close exam of the mouth and lips may help the healthcare provider diagnose the condition
• Dermoscopy: Dermoscopy is a diagnostic tool where a dermatologist examines the skin using a special magnified lens
• Wood’s lamp examination: In this procedure, the healthcare provider examines the skin using ultraviolet light. It is performed to examine the change in skin pigmentation
• Skin biopsy is generally not required

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Lip Licker’s Dermatitis?

The possible complications due to Lip Licker’s Dermatitis include:

• Emotional stress due to cosmetic issues
• Superimposed bacterial and fungal skin infections
• The skin may present darker pigmentation following resolution of the condition (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), which may persist for a long time
• Recurrence of the condition following treatment

How is Lip Licker’s Dermatitis Treated?

The treatment measures available for Lip Licker’s Dermatitis include:

• Behavior modification - to prevent or minimize the habit of lip-licking
• Treating any underlying neurological or neurodegenerative conditions that inadvertently cause the condition
• Use of lip balms and moisturizers (for dry skin)
• Use of mild topical steroids (such as hydrocortisone)
• Administration of topical immunosuppressants such as calcineurin inhibitor

How can Lip Licker’s Dermatitis be Prevented?

Lip Licker’s Dermatitis may be prevented by considering the following steps:

• Avoiding lip-licking
• Treating any underlying mental health disorder

What is the Prognosis of Lip Licker’s Dermatitis? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The prognosis of Lip Licker’s Dermatitis is generally good with adequate treatment
• However, it may recur if the cause of the condition is not suitably addressed

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Lip Licker’s Dermatitis:

The following DoveMed website link is a useful resource for additional information:

https://www.dovemed.com/healthy-living/skin-disorders/