I've had tremendous progress, apparently it was leaky gut.

After the Derms and western medicine failed me, I turned to Chinese Medicine, with Acupuncture and herbs. My acupuncturist told me that I had symptoms of leaky gut, and my lips were probably due to a terrible diet as well as an already weakened skin barrier from eczema. It was just unlucky that I had contracted it. Since approximately Mid April, I have had a complete lifestyle change. I've completely cut out all gluten, dairy, corn, fried, frozen, added sugar, and spices from my diet. All potential irritants. It's been a brutal three months, but I have seen visible progress. While my lips continue to peel, they peel much slower, and the peeling is much thinner than before. My inflamation has gone down tremendously, and my lips are more pink than red. I've also undergone accupuncture, but I'm not sure how much that helped me, if at all. I also started to take a probiotic, as well as some Chinese herbs.

My doctor says that the lips are connected to the intestines/stomach, and I had probably some of the worst lips of anyone in this forum. At my worst, it was definitely close to Daniel Miller's lips. However, now, my lips aren't completely healed yet, but they look much much better. Almost completely healthy, but there's a little flaking that I just clip off. I was told that I would have to continue this diet for at least 2 years, which is insane. But if I will actually be cured, I'm willing to do it. My diet is mainly fruits, veggies, rice, some high quality meats, and a little bit of 70% or higher dark chocolate every day. I've also undergone phototherapy before for my eczema which helped, but now with the summer, I try and get a little sun everyday if possible. I used to use a little sesame oil to moisturize my lips, but now I use absolutely nothing. Perhaps I will have to start using products again during the winter, but right now I don't really have a need to. I wish everyone good luck on their journey to the cure, this is definitely one of the worst diseases for a person's self esteem and mental health. I have had this disease for approximately four years now, and I'm turning 19 very soon. My late teens were robbed from me.

However, don't let this disease stop you from enjoying life. I had accepted my problem a year or two ago, it's hard, but your life is so short that it's pointless to just let yourself rot at home. No one deserves this dilemma, but you must be strong to overcome what life throws at you. I've definitely grown stronger mentally throughout my journey, but I also have internalized some pain from the years of judgement and stares. I feel very blessed that I at least seem to be going in the right direction, this is the first time my lips have actually improved so I will jump on this opportunity while I still have the chance to. Good luck everyone, I will update if I ever fully become healed. I hope everyone can work through it as well. Tweet