Re: exfoliative cheilitis and sjogrens syndrome

Hello,

I'm a 33 year old male who was recently diagnosed with Sjogrens Syndrome primary w/ some Lupus overlap. Coincudentally I've been suffering from exfolliative cheilitis since I was 14. Most of it is fungal related. I've probably had Sjogrens since I was a child. Only now do my lip symptoms make sense.

The cheilitis was the first to come. Then IBS by 17. Then eye problems by 20. Followed by white tongue/thrush at 22, that would come and go up to the present. I have many more symptoms but these are specific to the "dryness" part of the disease.

Long story short in my case, Sjogrens attacked my salivary glands, leaving me with perpetual dry mouth, in turn leaving me far more susceptible to oral thrush, which in turn led to repeated bouts with angular cheilitis--the cracks in the corners of your mouth--and peeling, dry and cracked lips.

In my case my cheilitis is/was caused by a fungal infection. Sugar exacerbates it big time, as does lip picking. The best advice that I can give someone with exfolliative cheilitis is to not pick at the scabs or crusted skin. Just last week someone told me that I had something on my lips. It was actually a huge piece of dead skin that was not ready to come off on its own. I replied, "No it's just dry skin. I have Sjogrens, a disease that causes my lips to peel". It quickly shut them down, while rightfully making them feel bad, because Chapstick does not work for me.

Interestingly enough washing my lips with dish soap has helped. And I recently bought 12 toothbrushes from the 99 cent store for $3! Because a toothbrush harbors the fungus responsible for my cheilitis. I'll report back in a few months and let you know if my medication for Sjogrens and Lupus helps. Tweet