Ok, this is a new one for me. We just relocated here from PA in July and we have long, cold winters there, but I have never seen my son's lips look like this! He is 9 years old and the whole area around his lips and up to his nose and down to his chin is raw. He's not a thumb sucker and too old to slober. We have tried carmex, chap stick, etc but its only getting worse. I even started putting Neosporin on it but that's not working either. He keeps rubbing at it because it burns and itches. Any ideas about whether this could be a case of some bisarre infection or contagious thing??
The doc gave us an evening appt. Turns out he has a bacterial infection which probably started as chapped lips or a small cut...anyway, he has impetago. I looked up the following quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impetigo is caused by one of two bacteria types, either group A streptococcus or staphylococcus aureus. Your child may be more likely to develop impetigo if his skin has already been irritated or injured by other skin problems. Those conditions that help impetigo infection are problems such as eczema, poison ivy, insect bites, or skin allergy to soap or makeup. When impetigo is caused by Group A streptococcus, it begins as tiny blisters as first impetigo symptom. These blisters eventually burst to reveal small wet patches of red skin that may weep fluid, and that is something you should be looking for. Gradually, a tan or yellowish-brown crust covers the affected area, so it looks like it has been coated with brown sugar or with honey. Impetigo that is not caused by Group A streptococcus is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus,a s I already told you. This type of impetigo may cause larger fluid-containing blisters that first appear clear and later it could appear as cloudy. These blisters are more likely to stay intact longer on the skin without bursting, and you should know that impetigo might affect skin anywhere on the body. For now, you should know that impetigo is characterized by blisters that may burst, ooze fluid, and develop a honey-colored crust, it may itch, and it can be spread by scratching."
My son really didn't have blisters per se but he did have some oozing and itching. Isn't motherhood pleasant??? Anyway, I remember my nephew having this when I was a kid and actually needing to be hospitalized because it lead to cellulitis. Thanks for your recommendation to take him to the dr. I didn't want to look like an hysterical mom bringing in a kid with chapped lips:)
Dear S.:
I would take your son to the doctor as soon as possible...it sounds like something my mother used to get...and hers was empantigo (I'm sure this is spelled incorrectly)....But it is highly contagious and will continue to spread.....of course that may not be the problem but if it is getting worse instead of better...your best bet is to have him seen.
A.
Try aquaphor.. Its for chapped skin.. It works great for me..You can get it in the lotion section i think..But it is not a lotion.
S.,
It could be a severe B Complex deficiency, Get him some good vitamins at the store. Liquid B's are available. Because this climate is so humid it really creates mold and fungus. The B vitamins help correct this. He could also be dehydrated.
There are very good liquid multi-vitamins at the health food store. A good brand is Natures Plus. If he drinks sodas these types of drinks will increase the dehydration. Get him to drink lots of good water.
I read your responses and just want to repeat that skin problems are started with a B complex deficiency that will be helped with vitamins and corrections to the diet. Sugars of any kind, soda, fast food, tend to feed the problem. Clean up the diet and do the vitamins and it takes four months to correct this deficiency.
Those are my two suggestions.
D.
When I was a kid, I started in the band playing the clarinet and the whole time basicly, the bottom lip/chin area would be chapped. Once it got chapped the first time, I couldn't stop messing with it and it stayed that way for a couple years. No cream helped. It'll be really hard for a 9yr old to not pick, scratch or lick it, but that's the only way to get it to go away. Try Burt's Bees lip balm. It has a soothing effect that may give him more time between trying to scratch it. But if he's having such a hard time with it, I'd take him in to see the Dr. and see if they can prescribe something for it. I'm sure it isn't doing much to boost his self-esteem. Good luck!
