Perleche & Perioral Dermatitis Archives

Perleche

Hi--about two weeks ago I noticed that my upper lip seemed to be chapped all the time. I have been using the same lip balm for years, and found that I had to apply it very frequently, but found no relief. One morning I looked very closely at my lip in the mirror and noticed tiny bumps. I mentioned this to my mother and she said she thought it might be cold sores or fever blisters. She gave me a lip balm "stick" (I know I shouldn't give brand names...let's just say it begins with an "H" and ends with "-L"). I used this for a couple days and the problem cleared up.

Then a few days later, the corners of my mouth began to crack and were very dry, and a bit painful. I started up with the lip balm stick again, it cleared up, but then came back.

I went to my family doctor for my bi-yearly allergy visit, and he said the lip thing was caused by my allergies, and was called "perleche." He gave me the option of getting an ointment, or getting small shots of cortisone injected directly into the corners of my mouth. Much to the horror of everyone I've told so far, I elected to get the shots...I had had enough of this "perleche" and needed quick relief. My doctor told me that the condition should clear up within 3 days, but could come back, and I should continue to use the lip balm stick.

Well, 3 days after the shots, the corners of my mouth have cleared up, but now this irritation has returned to my upper lip, and it feels like it's on my lower lip too! I found the information on your site, and have read many postings in the archives. I see that you recommend Vitamin B complex, and I plan on buying some tomorrow. My question is: do you think the lip balm stick I am using is alright for long-term use? (The active ingredients are: Octyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Oxybenzone 6.0%, Octyl Salicylate 5.0%, and Dimethicone 1.0%) And do you think this is the best thing for me to use to try and keep this perleche at bay?

I hesitate to go back for more cortisone shots (due to the pain and the fact that it's cortisone), and I figure the ointment he plans on giving me will contain cortisone, though I do not know this for certain. (I know cortisone used over long periods can be damaging to the skin, as I found out all too well when I used a prescription cortisone cream for several years on my face, pretty much as a moisturizer. I went through pure hell when I stopped using the cream, and it took several months to get my skin back to some sense of normalcy.)

Ok, I'm done, sorry for the long posting. I'd appreciate any advice you might be able to give me!!

Follow Ups:

• Re: Perleche (Archive.) Walt Stoll 07:36:56 4/17/01 (0)

In Reply to: Perleche posted by Mary on April 15, 2001 at 14:43:28:

Hi, Mary.

If your doc had been totally honest he would have said: "These injections will make it fade for a while but the problem will eventually come back, guaranteed. Also, if I keep using the injections, you will eventually lose the dermis (the supporting tissue for the epidermis) and you will eventually have a permanent deformity of the area."

This is an early sign of LGS and until you deal with that, any treatment will give but temporary results. Only the cortisone injections have the propensity for permanent damage.

What ever happened to the first thing in the Hippocratic Oath? "First do no harm!" See the archives about philosophy if you are interested.

Walt