Re: lets talk about daniel!

in my opinion Daniel has a strict case of exfoliative cheilitis, no bacterial/fungal infection, no underlying cause whatsoever, completely trauma induced. I believe he will cure himself by leaving it alone and getting it wet enough. I also believe that I too have a strict case of exfoliative cheiltis. After the most recent layer of crusts came off there is an obvious improvement in my lips, substantial improvement in my upper lip. Due to its appearance i have stopped leaving it alone and will try to fight it with creams/ointment/antiseptics as it is a chronic wound. i don't think it is possible to cure it while removing all buildup like most doctors say is OK to do, but i do believe that addressing the inflammation and reducing the amount of buildup through topical medication is possible, and can be achieved at the same time as your lips are healing. Most people think its either you manage the condition or you heal the condition, i believe it can be both. Having your lips excessively buildup is not helpful to its recovery process, however it is difficult to remove the top layers of DEAD skin without the bottom layers, in that regard letting it buildup excessively is the safest way to ensure the outer layer stays intact. If however one can manage to remove the outer layers, it will produce the same result as having a massive buildup on your lips. Your lips need a barrier to heal, and due to the intensity of the trauma simply keeping it moisturized is not enough. Your lips need a top layer of skin in order to heal underneath. Its not the end of the world if you accidentally remove too much from time to time, but per my most recent doctor's suggestion, soak a gauze pad in hydrogen peroxide and hold it between your lips for 3 minutes every morning, afterwards gently remove the soft white outer layer keeping the thin bottom layer of dead skin attached to your lips. After that, use whatever treatment your currently trying, whether it be steriod, antifungal, a combination of many things, or nothing at all. But realistically, not many people can face the social handicap that the crusts inflict upon us so if youre like myself and the summer is coming to end and its time to get back into reality then its time to stop letting it buildip to an extreme and start treating the symptoms while (hopefully) being on your way to recovery.

On a side note, many people on this forum who face persistent inflammation should find an excellent oral pathologist and have them analyze your biopsy results, because Cheilitis Gladularis is probably what some people on this forum has and is more easily treatable than exfoliative cheilitis.