Psoriatic cheilitis: what to know

Cheilitis means inflammation of the lips. When psoriasis affects this area, the lips may feel tight, sore, scaly or fissured, with irritation at the lip border or nearby skin. Similar changes can also come from contact allergy, infection, habitual licking, dehydration or another inflammatory condition, so the appearance alone cannot confirm the cause. A clinician may examine the lips, mouth and other skin or nail changes to put the symptoms in context.

Apply a bland, fragrance-free ointment or emollient often, including after eating and before sleep. Avoid licking, biting or peeling the lips, and pause fragranced balms, essential oils, irritating cosmetics and products that sting. Drink normally and protect the area from wind and intense sun. Use only treatments advised for the lips: skin on this site is thin, and a medicine suitable for a thicker plaque may be unsuitable here. A clinician may recommend emollient therapy or a short, carefully directed topical corticosteroid course depending on the diagnosis and severity.

Book a review if cracking persists, recurs, bleeds, forms crusts or interferes with eating and speaking. Seek prompt medical care for rapidly increasing swelling, spreading redness, pus, fever, severe pain, blisters or difficulty swallowing or breathing. A sore that does not heal or a change limited to one area also needs examination rather than repeated self-treatment.

Ask whether the lip changes fit psoriasis or another form of cheilitis, which emollient is suitable, and exactly where and for how long any corticosteroid should be used. Ask whether other psoriasis signs need checking.