Unexplained Lip Issues: Seeking Advice
Recently, I noticed some unusual spots on my lip. I had one pop up yesterday, but today there seem to be multiple new ones. The skin on these areas feels delicate and appears as though it could peel away easily. There's a constant burning sensation that accompanies them, making it quite uncomfortable. If anyone has experienced something similar or has insights into what this might be, I would really appreciate your input!
Answers (1)

6/22/2025, 12:30:42 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing distressing symptoms on your lips with unusual spots and a burning sensation. These symptoms could be caused by various factors, including skin irritation, allergic reactions, or even viral infections like cold sores. It’s great that you’re seeking to understand this better, and I can provide some guidance.
Explanation:
The delicate spots with a burning sensation could be due to:
- Allergic Reaction: Sometimes, products like lip balms, toothpaste, or food can irritate the lips.
- Infections: Conditions like herpes simplex virus (cold sores) can cause similar symptoms.
- Contact Dermatitis: Exposure to irritants or allergens may lead to inflammation and discomfort.
- Other Skin Conditions: Lupus can also cause skin changes, but it’s important to look at the character of the lesions and other symptoms.
Next Steps:
- Avoid Irritants: Stop using any new lip products or toiletries that may have triggered your symptoms. Stick to gentle, fragrance-free options.
- Keep Lips Hydrated: Use a mild lip balm with ingredients like petroleum to protect your lips from further irritation.
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on the spots and the burning sensation. Take note of any changes in color, size, or if new symptoms develop.
- Ice or Cool Compress: If you’re experiencing discomfort, try applying a cool, damp cloth to your lips for relief.
- Document Everything: Keeping a record of when the spots appear, your diet, and any products used can help identify triggers.
- Check for Additional Symptoms: If you notice symptoms like fever, swelling, or if the burning sensation worsens, this may indicate the need for further investigation.
Let me know if you have any other questions or need more specific advice on managing your symptoms!
Related Questions
Seeking Answers for an Unexplained Skin Condition
I’ve come back to share some additional information regarding my situation. I acknowledge that Reddit isn’t a platform for diagnosis, yet I've already visited an urgent care center and scheduled an appointment with my primary care physician, hoping to secure a referral to see a rheumatologist. Unfortunately, my appointment with the PCP isn’t until August, leaving me in a state of anxiety and uncertainty. During my urgent care visit, I was given Triamcinolone to alleviate the itching, but it hasn’t provided any relief. I’m a 27-year-old woman, standing at 5’3” and weighing 144 pounds. I do not take any medications and have a long history of smoking both cigarettes and marijuana for approximately 12 years. About two months ago, I developed an intensely itchy rash localized to the back of my neck. It occasionally feels like it’s burning, but I haven’t changed any of my personal care products, detergents, or soaps. Over-the-counter lotions, cortisone creams, and allergy medications have proven ineffective. My medical history includes the occasional polymorphic light eruption (PMLE), but no problems akin to eczema or other skin conditions prior to this. Additionally, I have swollen lymph nodes in the back and sides of my neck, as well as behind my ears. This is not a new occurrence for me; I’ve dealt with hard, swollen lymph nodes, including one on the left side of my neck that I first noticed about five years ago. The swelling in the neck nodes appeared after the rash developed. The rash is extremely uncomfortable, producing a burning sensation and considerable heat to the touch. I’ve also noticed several open sores forming in the rash area that seem unwilling to heal. Interestingly, my lymph nodes are itchy too, particularly the skin over them, even in areas without rashes. Before jumping to health conclusions based on Internet searches, I thought it wise to ask for insight from the Reddit community. Edit 1: In addition to the neck rash, a couple of months prior, I began noticing some circular, occasionally itchy patches on my legs and stomach, with one also appearing on my foot. These spots are persistent and do not seem to heal. Edit 2: I've documented several of these patches on my legs, three on my stomach, and one on my foot. Edit 3: I’ve included my most recent complete blood count (CBC) from October 2024, which indicated abnormal results. Edit 4: A basic metabolic panel from October 24 also showed abnormalities, including elevated D-dimer levels and a visibly swollen lymph node in my neck right now. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been plagued by swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, a general feeling of malaise, and a range of other health issues, all accompanied by an unintentional weight loss of about 100 pounds over this period. I am deeply concerned about the possibility of a slow-growing lymphoma. My appetite has diminished significantly; when I do feel hungry, it’s for a very brief window during which I must consume food quickly before the urge disappears again. On a fortunate day, I can manage to eat only once daily. Additionally, I have experienced polymorphic light eruption each summer for the last three to four years, but only on my arms. I have tested negative for HIV and had mono as a teenager, about ten years ago, which resulted in notably high levels of the Epstein-Barr virus at that time.
Seeking Advice for Persistent Foot Issues
I’m a 24-year-old female, weighing 128 pounds, and I've previously dealt with athlete's foot, which has since resolved on my left foot. However, my right foot has been causing me distress. Recently, I've been experiencing symptoms that resemble a recurrence, like dryness, itchiness, and flaking skin. Despite trying various topical treatments, the warm weather seems to exacerbate my condition. At times, the itching becomes quite severe, especially during the night, leading to excessive scratching that can irritate my skin, resulting in painful and sore areas. Occasionally, I develop small bumps that may fill with fluid. In attempts to alleviate this, I’ve popped the blisters and cleaned the area with alcohol. While I’m aware this might not be the best approach, I follow up by washing it gently with water and applying a cream. It’s worth mentioning that my job requires me to be on my feet considerably and I often wear closed-toed shoes. This issue has persisted for nearly a year, and I could really use some advice or direction regarding treatment options or proper care for my foot.
Seeking Answers: Ongoing Oral Issues for Three Months
I’m a 30-year-old woman facing some challenging mouth issues that have lasted for three months. Initially, I started experiencing a sensitivity to cold items such as ice cream and cold water. Upon inspecting my throat, I observed that it was inflamed, red, and raw; however, it wasn't sore. Cold substances would render my throat numb, and as time progressed, swallowing became increasingly difficult, eventually leading to the point where eating was a struggle. I lost 6 pounds within five days, as I could only tolerate room temperature beverages. I sought medical advice, but the physicians were perplexed by my symptoms. They prescribed antibiotics, suspecting an infection, yet there was no improvement. Following this, a steroid was recommended, but it too yielded no results, leading the doctors to refer me to an ear, nose, and throat specialist who attributed my condition to acid reflux. However, my gastrointestinal specialist conducted an endoscopy and ruled out acid reflux as the cause. On the day of the endoscopy, I noticed that my tongue appeared white and felt rough, akin to sandpaper. Though the doctor dismissed the possibility of thrush based on its appearance (not resembling cottage cheese), I continued on steroids, which eventually resulted in severe diarrhea. When I contacted the on-call physician, she advised stopping the steroid immediately and prescribed a medication for thrush, as she suspected that might be the issue. I began the thrush treatment and experienced some alleviation, but my throat remains red and inflamed. Tonight, after taking my last dose of oral nystatin, I still observe a white coating on my tongue, small red spots, and my throat is persistently red while my tongue continues to feel abrasive. It’s worth noting that I have tested negative for strep throat on three separate occasions during this period. I am genuinely seeking assistance, as I am at my wit's end. I have a significant fear of eating anything because I worry it will trigger another painful flare, making swallowing nearly impossible. If possible, I will share images in the comments for further insight.
Concerns About New Symptoms: Seeking Insight
I've been experiencing some troubling new symptoms, and while my doctors don’t seem overly alarmed, I'm genuinely struggling. I will give an overview of my existing health issues and medications at the end of this message. The onset of my recent symptoms was swift; the neuropathic pain, which started about three weeks ago, was the first to appear. The additional symptoms have persisted for roughly four weeks now. 1. **Aggravated Foot Pain**: I’m facing intensified neuropathic discomfort in my feet due to polyneuropathy. The pain is concentrated along the outer part of my foot, and it’s painful to apply any pressure. The more I move, the sharper the pain becomes, with numbness creeping up my leg, reminiscent of the discomfort I felt before starting Gabapentin. I also experience mild cramps beneath my foot, which tug at my big toe and, occasionally, my pinky. This occurs daily while I’m at rest, though not constantly. 2. **Overwhelming Fatigue**: I feel an all-encompassing fatigue that disrupts sleep. There are days when I find myself sleeping an entire day away, leaving my body feeling heavy and drained. This persistent exhaustion is the hardest symptom to cope with, leading to tears as I struggle to sleep despite my overwhelming tiredness. 3. **Joint Discomfort**: I've been suffering from discomfort in various joints, particularly in my wrists, fingers, and knees. 4. **Muscle Aches**: My muscles, especially in my arms and legs, are also in distress, including the upper back region. 5. **Breast Tenderness**: I have soreness in my breasts, particularly the right side, which is accompanied by a painful gland. There are no visible changes, however. 6. **Constant Nausea**: I feel nauseated much of the time, with my body temperature fluctuating between 37.1°C and 38.2°C. 7. **Digestive Changes**: My bowel habits have become unpredictable, with softer stools resulting in multiple flushes needed and daily bowel movements. This has been an issue since last year, when a stool test yielded no findings, so it was dismissed. Now, my bowel habits shift rapidly, sometimes leading to constipation. Blood tests revealed no abnormalities, although they forgot to check my ferritin levels, which I’ve requested be added to the next round of tests. I’ve had to reach out multiple times, and I’m finally scheduled for an appointment in four weeks, which feels like an eternity while I’m in this state of distress. Am I overreacting to their apparent indifference and the slow pace of things? If you were in my situation, how would you advocate for yourself as a patient? **Additional Health Conditions**: Bipolar disorder, polyneuropathy, restless legs syndrome, chronic pain across pelvic floor/jaw/neck/shoulders, and lower back pain. **Current Medications**: Lamotrigine, Gabapentin, vitamin B12, birth control, omeprazole, slow-release morphine, folic acid. Occasionally, I also take Zolpidem, Diazepam, Paracetamol, Chlorzoxazone, and stool softeners, but not on a daily basis.
Alcohol Withdrawal After a Decade: What's Next?
At 29 years old, I have spent nearly ten years consuming 5 to 6 beers nightly. I stand at 6 feet 1 inch and weigh around 210 pounds. For the past three years, my experience has been akin to living in a perpetual haze of a hangover. My eyesight struggles to maintain focus, occasionally exhibiting signs of nystagmus. I often experience dizziness, exhaustion, and a sense of imbalance. I'm left wondering: how long will these symptoms persist? I initiated my reduction by cutting down to 4 beers daily for the first week, followed by 3 beers for the second week. Here's how the initial hours unfolded: **0 to 24 hours:** Initially, I felt alright, as my drinking had primarily occurred in the evenings. **24 to 48 hours:** This period remained manageable, with only mild flu-like symptoms emerging. **48 to 72 hours:** Today marks my current state. Although I consider it bearable, I am still not feeling completely well, which has made this the most challenging day of the three. Fortunately, I've avoided shakes and sweating. As of now, it's been 72 hours since I last consumed alcohol. When can I expect to feel fully healthy again?