Psoriasis on the lips

Psoriasis may manifest on the lips. This condition is called psoriatic cheilitis. However, it is quite rare—some reports suggest oral mucosal lesions, including the lips, occur in 2 to 3% of patients with psoriasis.

How it manifests itself
When the vermilion border of the lips is affected, the process often appears as a band of inflammation extending from one corner of the mouth to the other. The red border at this point becomes edematous, and transverse cracks and small scales may appear. The most pronounced spot swelling and redness in the Klein area is along the lip closure line. It may occur on one (often the lower) lip but may affect both lips.

Occasionally, the eruption of the oral mucosa burns but more often does not cause pain. The mouth rash usually occurs at the same time as the skin flare-ups but does not always disappear at the same time

Important Refinements

Differential diagnosis.
Lip psoriasis must be differentiated from other disorders such as cheilitis (including allergic, actinic), leukoplakia, lichen planus, oral candidiasis (thrush), aphthous stomatitis, and others.

Diagnostics.

Acute consultation with a dermatologist is required to confirm the diagnosis. The doctor may examine them and, if necessary, scraping them or doing a histologic examination.

Treatment.

Therapy is selected individually, taking into account the stage of the disease, the general condition of the patient and other factors. In some cases, special means can be prescribed for the treatment of the affected areas.
If you notice any suspicious changes on the lips, it is recommended to consult a doctor for accurate diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Care and protection.

It is an important part of treatment, which helps to enhance the effect of drugs and reduce irritation:

Use neutral, hypoallergenic balms or sanitary lipsticks without fragrances to soften the lips and protect them from drying out.
Try to avoid the factors that provoke an exacerbation: aggressive cosmetics, too hot or hot food, smoking, lip licking.
If there are comorbid problems (vitamin deficiency, gastrointestinal disorders), a doctor may recommend correcting them—sometimes it helps improve the overall course of psoriasis.