If you forcefully peel the skin off, under the skin is red, BRIGHT RED. Exfoliative cheilitis is it really inflamation? I took a blood test (CBC - complete blood count) because i have recurring swollen lymphnodes near my neck, so i have an infection of some sort. I have to wait till next friday to get the results. The hardest thing about this is the cause, is it infection, immune system etc. This can be cured people, the hardest thing is finding the cause.