What should I do about lip inflammation and melanin deposition?

Written by Wang Peng
Dentistry
Updated on February 25, 2025
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The patient's lip inflammation has caused lip hyperpigmentation, which does not affect general health, speech function, or eating function, and thus usually requires no special treatment. However, if the patient feels that this affects their appearance, they can use methods such as lip tattooing, lip bleaching, or applying lipstick to cover it up. However, patients should be aware that if lip inflammation recurs, lip tattooing might exacerbate symptoms and could possibly lead to local ulceration and other issues. Therefore, it is not recommended to undergo lip tattooing if the lip inflammation frequently recurs. In daily life, it is important to keep the lips moist and avoid irritants.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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How to determine whether it is cheilitis or herpes labialis

Cheilitis and herpes labialis are generally two different conditions. Cheilitis has a broader meaning and may include allergic cheilitis, or dryness during autumn and winter, cracked lips, and angular cheilitis. For example, common oral herpes is generally referred to as cheilitis. Additionally, cheilitis broadly includes any inflammation of the lips. However, herpes labialis is usually due to a decline in the patient's immune system, leading to a herpes virus infection, so herpes labialis is a simple viral disease. Therefore, there is a distinction between the two. Cheilitis might involve bacterial infections, in which case anti-inflammatory ointments can be applied. If it is herpes labialis, antiviral treatment is generally used.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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Has the lip inflammation healed if the skin has peeled off?

Cheilitis is more common in the dry autumn and winter seasons. It may be due to the delicate skin on the lips being irritated by the dry climate, leading to dermatitis, or it could be caused by the lips coming into contact with some allergenic substances, which can also result in localized inflammation of the lip skin. If the skin on the lips of a patient with cheilitis starts to peel, it is advised not to tear it off with hands, as it generally indicates that healing is occurring slowly. Therefore, it is recommended that patients should relax, pay attention to daily lip care, maintain lip moisture, hydrate promptly, and avoid frequently licking their lips with their tongue. Long-term stimulation like this can lead to inflammation of the lips, causing the skin to crack, and even bleed.

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Written by Wang Peng
Dentistry
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How to deal with chapped lips?

It is relatively normal for patients to experience peeling lips after developing cheilitis, as this is a very common clinical symptom during the progression of the disease. Patients should avoid peeling off the flaky skin on their lips with their hands, as this could potentially worsen the symptoms and may also lead to infections. After developing cheilitis, the first step should be to eliminate local irritants. For example, if engaging in prolonged outdoor activities, proper sun protection should be applied to prevent actinic cheilitis. Additionally, patients should maintain local moisture, such as using moist compresses to keep the lips hydrated, or applying a non-irritating moisturizing lip balm.

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Written by Wang Peng
Dentistry
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Can pigmentation caused by cheilitis be cured?

If the patient has pigment deposition caused by repeated occurrences of cheilitis, this condition is usually difficult to alleviate. Even with treatment, restoring the lips to their original color is a long and gradual process. It is suggested that patients with cheilitis, who have experienced changes in lip color, may temporarily observe the condition, as it does not affect their overall health, nor does it impede eating or speech functions. If appearance is a concern, one can use lip balm or undergo lip tattooing to cover it up; however, it is crucial to avoid local irritation.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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Can cheilitis be completely cured?

If a patient exhibits symptoms of cheilitis, it is essential to early eliminate possible irritating factors. Early local wet compresses are basic measures, followed by the application of lip balms or similar products for further moisturization and anti-inflammatory effects. If there is no relief, further treatment is required. The current treatment for cheilitis mainly focuses on topical medications and symptomatic treatment. During the acute phase, removing irritating factors as much as possible can significantly aid in the recovery from cheilitis. Additionally, it is advisable for patients to protect their lips early in dry weather conditions by applying lip balm or avoiding irritants. For example, changing habits like biting lips or frequently licking lips with the tongue should be addressed, along with quitting smoking and drinking, avoiding spicy and irritating foods, protecting from sun exposure and cold winds, and discontinuing the use of suspect foods, medications, or certain cosmetics.