Seborrheic dermatitis usually affects the scalp, but some people find that this skin condition also involves other body areas, including the lips. Sometimes, it begins on the scalp and then spreads, as one MySebDermTeam member described: “It used to just be on my scalp, but in the last five years it spread to my eyebrow, the side of my nose, and both sides of my mouth.”

Developing seborrheic dermatitis on the lips can be disconcerting, but it doesn’t have to reduce your sense of well-being or quality of life. Here’s what you need to know about seborrheic dermatitis on the lips.

What Does Seborrheic Dermatitis on the Lips Look Like?

Seborrheic dermatitis can look different on different people, based on skin color, age, and any other medical conditions. Generally, seborrheic dermatitis shows up as:

• Dry skin, which may become flaky
• A rash that is dry or scaly
• Discolored skin, either darker or lighter than your normal tone
• An itch that may be so bad it feels like it burns

A seborrheic dermatitis rash on the lips can appear in varying ways. People with darker skin may see patches that turn either darker than the rest of their skin or white, pink, or purple. People with lighter skin will often notice red, sometimes raised areas of skin.

It’s unknown exactly how many people live with seborrheic dermatitis on the lips. The condition can be hard to diagnose. Also, people may treat it at home, so health care experts never know about those cases.

Some people may feel self-conscious because of seborrheic dermatitis on their lips. It may interfere with intimacy or cause you to isolate yourself. However, understanding and treating the condition can help you feel better about yourself so that you’re comfortable with others again.

What Causes Seborrheic Dermatitis on the Lips?

No one knows exactly what causes seborrheic dermatitis on the lips — or anywhere. However, the condition does seem to be connected to an immune response to Malassezia yeast. This microbe lives on the surface of nearly everyone’s skin, but people who develop seborrheic dermatitis have an immune response to it for unknown reasons.

You may be more likely to develop seborrheic dermatitis if you have one of a wide variety of medical conditions, including:

• HIV
• Parkinson’s disease
• Eating disorders
• Stroke
• Psoriasis
• Acne

If you have been diagnosed with one of these conditions and you develop a rash on your lips, ask your doctor about seborrheic dermatitis.

In addition, a few other factors can trigger seborrheic dermatitis on the lips. These include:

• Recent illness
• Hormonal changes
• Stress
• Recovery from a stressful life event
• Seasonal changes
• Weather changes
• Some medications
• Exposure to harsh chemicals

How Is Seborrheic Dermatitis on the Lips Diagnosed?

Seborrheic dermatitis on the lips will usually be diagnosed by a dermatologist. They’ll talk to you about your symptoms, look at your lips, and ask if any of the above risk factors apply to you.

Your doctor may also take a sample of your skin, called a skin biopsy, to examine under a microscope and test in other ways. This helps them rule out other conditions that can look similar to seborrheic dermatitis on the lips.

Seborrheic Dermatitis vs. Other Types of Eczema on the Lips

Seborrheic dermatitis is only one kind of eczema that you may experience on your lips. Another type is eczematous cheilitis, which is what medical professionals call the classic form of eczema on the lips.

The symptoms of eczematous cheilitis can overlap with those of seborrheic dermatitis. With both conditions, the lips usually become dry and may be discolored. Seborrheic dermatitis may involve more dryness and flaking, but this isn’t always the case.

Sometimes, a dermatologist can differentiate between the two types based on whether you’ve already been diagnosed with eczema or seborrheic dermatitis. If so, your lip issue may be more likely to have the same cause.

Your doctor may also take a trial-and-error approach. Antifungal treatments are used only for seborrheic dermatitis, not eczema. If your dermatology team suspects seborrheic dermatitis, they may have you try an antifungal. If it helps, you likely have seborrheic dermatitis. If not, they may see if treatments for eczematous cheilitis work.

How Is Seborrheic Dermatitis on the Lips Treated?

You can try several strategies to treat seborrheic dermatitis and manage symptoms related to the condition.

See Your Doctor

Talk to your dermatology provider about getting an antifungal treatment, such as a lotion, gel, or cream that you put on your lips and any other affected areas. If your seborrheic dermatitis doesn’t respond to this topical treatment, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal medication that you take as a pill.

Additionally, your doctor may give you topical anti-inflammatory medications. These products can help calm the inflammation caused by your overactive immune system’s reaction and soothe some itching. Using the treatments your doctor gives you is the best way to deal with seborrheic dermatitis at its source.

Protect Your Lips

One way to practice self-care when it comes to seborrheic dermatitis is to make sure your lips are always protected. Wear a lip balm that feels comfortable and contains sunscreen, which protects your lips from further irritation. If you need to clean your lips, make sure you use a cleanser with a low PH, which is less irritating.

Cleansing may help, like it did for one member MySebDermTeam. They explained, “I have a dry patch on the side of my mouth. So, I cleaned it and it feels better.”

Avoid Scratching

Whatever you do, make an effort not to scratch your lips. It might seem like scratching will get rid of the itch plus any flakes or scales, but it can actually make things worse. You could end up with irritated, bleeding lips or trigger the itch-scratch cycle, in which scratching makes itching even more of a problem.

Release Stress

Since stress can trigger seborrheic dermatitis on your lips, releasing anxiety might help you feel better. Everyone relieves stress differently, so you’ll need to figure out what works for you. Some common and effective stress relief techniques include:

• Meditating
• Exercising
• Breathing deeply
• Journaling
• Going outdoors for a few minutes
• Practicing yoga

If these options don’t work for you or you need help figuring out another approach, talk with a doctor so you can start taking care of yourself and lowering your stress.

Reach Out to Your Dermatologist

If you think you may be dealing with seborrheic dermatitis on your lips — or you know you are because you’ve been diagnosed with it before — reach out to your doctor. They’re there to get you the help you need. Call to get medical advice when you:

• Have new or different symptoms
• Develop a flare-up of seborrheic dermatitis on your lips
• Find that your usual treatments aren’t working
• Can’t manage itching and burning associated with seborrheic dermatitis
• Feel self-conscious about intimacy because of seborrheic dermatitis on your lips
• Find that your seborrheic dermatitis is spreading to other areas, like your face or eyelids
• Have questions or concerns about your treatment for seborrheic dermatitis

Your health care provider should be able to help you find the solutions you need so that you can feel great about yourself, live without persistent itching, and enjoy a high quality of life.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MySebDermTeam is the social network for people with seborrheic dermatitis and their loved ones. On MySebDermTeam, more than 9,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with seborrheic dermatitis.

Are you experiencing seborrheic dermatitis on your lips? What strategies have you tried to ease your symptoms? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.