What is the treatment for lip infection?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have an infection on my lips. I honestly do not know what it is. Two weeks ago, I got tests for syphilis and chlamydia, which were negative. Since then, I have had a sore on my lip. But I noticed that when I saw this sore with a flashlight, my lip there was yellow.

There is no pain. I have been using beeswax chapstick. Keep in mind that I do lick my lips a lot. I have attached two pictures, and the first picture was taken at the time I visited the doctor. And the second picture is of now.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have seen the attached pictures (attachment removed to protect patient identity).

This is not an infection. This is an ulcer formed probably due to irritation and excoriation from repeated licking. Your whole lower lip is erythematous, which indicates your lip is getting traumatized and excoriated due to irritation by saliva and trauma by licking.

You should also be peeling off your skin over the lip, leading to an ulcer. There is also a role of vitamin B deficiency.

At this stage, you can continue using beeswax chapstick, two to three times a day. I suggest taking tablet Zevit (Multivitamin) or other vitamin B complex supplements once a day for two weeks.

Most importantly, you need to discontinue the habit of licking. At this stage, there is no need for any antibiotics. This will heal in two to three weeks.

I hope this helps you, and get back to me if you have any doubts.

For more information, consult an internal medicine physician online.

Regards.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Sorry for the late reply. Have you stopped licking your lips and started taking some vitamin supplements?

Repeated lip-licking also predisposes to fungal infection of the lip due to a wet environment. So you should apply Clotrimazole lip cream twice a day for a week, and if there is a response, then it has to be continued for three weeks.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.