I started getting peeling lips about 7 years ago and I think I can trace it to 1 of 3 things that happened around the same time. I got thrush, I used some walmart brand chapstick a few times, and I got braces. I dont remember the lip problem starting until a few months after the thrush went away. I used chapstick cause everyone at school did and I thought it would be good for cold days but then I noticed more and more that my lips would feel all irritated if I didnt put any on. I've only used natural chapsticks for about 4 years and somedays are better than others but if i don't put any on (i've gone over a month using nothing) my lips feel dried out and itch alot. I also got braces during that period and I've had permanent retainers ever since. One of the derms I saw thought I might be allergic to the retainers and gave me a patch test a few years ago but it said I wasn't allergic to nickel (which he said might be in the retainers). I also had a lip biopsy that told me nothing except my lips were inflamed (which I already knew) and left a huge scar. Did anyone else's problems coincide with getting braces or using chapstick with shitty ingredients? Does anyone think for me it could be as simple as an allergy to braces? I once asked the orthodontist to remove the retainers but he said he couldn't cause my teeth might move. If it could help I'd rather risk the chance of my teeth moving a little if my lips would stop hurting. I also have terrible Seborrheic Dermatitis on my face and I've been using diet, herbs, vitamins, and natural cleansers and lotions to treat my face and lips for years and they've only gotten worse. Any help would be appreciated