Rash Under Lower Lip

Updated on December 19, 2008
K.G. asks from Mill Valley, CA
19 answers

My daughter has a red rash under her bottom lip. She licks and bites it all the time. Does anyone know what to put on it to clear it up or deter the licking?

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone who took the time to share their experience and advice. We are doing aquafor and destin at night and after one day it is much better!

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M.L.

answers from Redding on

Chap stick should work, but I wouldn't use the flavored stuff. I still remember as a kid being more likely to lick the flavored stuff. Just use the regular black label one.

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E.H.

answers from San Francisco on

My daughter just had this, too. We used cortisone cream twice a day and it went away in about three days.

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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

A creme called Aquaphor! My daughter did the same thing! We had picture day coming up and we used this the day before, and it was much better, with in2 days the redness was gone! Best of luck
From C. B, Mom of 4 girls!

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W.M.

answers from Sacramento on

K.,
My sister used to do this, and it always looked like she had two lower lips. WE used to get her some carmex, or chapstick and have her put it on reglarly. Then she would finally stop licking, and it would heal and go away in a few days. Good luck.
W.

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K.B.

answers from Yuba City on

Mentholatum: sorta like Vicks but in a green bottle.

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L.G.

answers from San Francisco on

Try some Cetaphil lotion. It iz a gentle lotion that can be used on children. I know of a petiatrician's office that recommends it to combat dry skin/ezcema. You can find it in any drug store, Walgreen's definitely carries it. It should clear the rash up in a few days.

If you don't think your child's issue is dry skin type rash, but more caused by too much moisture, I recommend vaseline to coat the area, so as she licks, she doesn't aggrivate it further.

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P.W.

answers from San Francisco on

I've seen a few kids with the lower lip sucking habit and a red ring under their lower lip because of it. I agree with the Neosporin idea.

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C.J.

answers from Stockton on

K.
I was reading the other answers and I agree that you need to put something on it to protect it from the moisture but I don't know if neosporin is good, I would look up if it is ok to eat first. I would also make sure you dry the area really good before you put anything on or you will just be locking in the moisture making it worse. You might want to try lansinoh, the lanolin that you put on your nipples for breast feeding, it heals and protects and is safe to eat.
C.

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C.D.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi K.

My 5 year old does this sometimes. I bought him a flavored chapstick and he puts it on the rash. He loves the smell and taste but he actually leaves it on the rash and it went away in one day!!

(I got the candy flavor sugar daddy I think)

C. :o)

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S.L.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi K.
IF you live here in San Francisco there is the SAGE on Valencia Street, I would go in and ask them about a "natural" remedy.. nothing harsh... , especially nothing that has harmful parabens in it.....let alone that a child might ingest.
nowadays, there are more natural alternatives to that which we used to use such as chapstick.

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L.C.

answers from San Francisco on

My daughter is 8 and has the same thing. The product I found that works the best is Balmex ointment (not diaper rash cream but ointment) Right before bed I put a good amount a massage it in so she can't wipe it off. Then in the morning I don't put as much but I also massage it in. It generally clears up in two days and she stops the licking. Keep the Balmex ointment handy because she'll do it again and then you'll be able to clear it up fast. Good Luck I've read the other advice and I've tried those things. My daughter would cry because she didn't like the way they feel or taste but that wouldn't stop her from sucking on her lower lip. The Balmex ointment she doesn't seem to mind the taste or the way it feels when it is on. I also think it cleared it up a lot better than Neosporin.

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K.G.

answers from San Francisco on

My son did this, too. His teeth even made a curved line on his chin that looked like a second smile. I slathered neosporin on it and lip conditioner on his lips, which cleared it up. Her skin is dry and irritated from getting wet and dry, wet and dry again and again. It also makes it feel like she needs to lick her lips. It's a vicious cycle. The lip balm really helps with this (unless it tastes too good!) Burt's Bees makes wax-free lip balm. Also, my son hated the neosporin, which made it an effective deterrent to his continuing to bite and suck on his lower lip. I would just say, "Oh, it looks like you've been sucking on your lip again and that rash is coming back. I'll get the neosporin," and he would say "Noooo!!!" and stop. Try to be matter-of-fact about it, too, because the more she sees that her behavior upsets you (it is attention afterall), the more likely she is to continue the behavior. Also, if the rash doesn't clear in a day or two with neosporin, take her to the doc in case she has something like a yeast infection.

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N.N.

answers from Fresno on

I found that lanolin (nipple cream) works really well, it is water resistant and tasteless. Also safe for injestion and clears up lips, under lips and china. Try it out you'll be surprised!

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K.M.

answers from San Francisco on

vaseline. She wont like the tasteor texture, and it promotes healing.

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G.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Well, Our mouths carry yeast, so you can try a yeast medicine like MONISTAT cream. My son would get red flakes and cracks on his lips, and he would lick them and make them worse. I would sneak in after he was asleep and dab a little on the spot and let it sit there overnight. It was the only way to get it on there long enough for it to do it's work. 2 or 3 days - consistently applying it- would do wonders.

There is also stuff called BITE NO MORE, for nail biting. Apparently it is ingestible but it is cayenne spicy-hot, so it keeps kids from putting whatever its on ...in their mouth. You may not want to put it on an open wound but you could put a dab just above the sore so that if her tounge comes down it will hit it first.

You could also try vinegar (which is good for rashes and cuts anyway) and also TEA TREE OIL which can go directly on a cut or rash and helps clear out fungus and bacteria. It doesnt taste goood either. It has an added benefit of a numbing agent in it. This stuff would be especiallyt good if the rash was caused by an impetago bacteria.

Lastly, this might help: give her more water. My son would lick his lips more and even suck on his clothing when he was dry , dehydrated, or thirsty.

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

K.,

Aquaphor is great for rashes and excema related irritations. Try put it it on a few times per day before she goes to bed or when she won't try to lick it or bite it.

Good luck.

Molly

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L.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Such a simple solution. Flavored chapstick during the day (make sure they don't over use it) and slather with vasoline at night. If she doesn't like it on her mouth at night, wait until she goes to sleep. My son has hayfever and when he breathes through his mouth a lot he gets really chapped lips. The chapstick only helps so much. I wait until he is asleep and smear on the vasoline as he really hates it. Usually clears it right up.

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D.P.

answers from Sacramento on

I would go with the Neosporin. I am constantly dealing with the same problem with my son. The Neosporin usually clears it up right away! Good Luck!

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K.B.

answers from San Francisco on

This may be Perioral Dermatitis. It is usually a red rash around the mouth/chin that is very irratating (and kids want to lick/rub it). It is usually caused by toothpaste with fluoride, but can also be caused by tartar control ingredients, or cinnamon flavoring.

If it IS Perioral Dermatitis, it will not go away by using over-the-counter products. Her doctor will have to look at it and tell you what you need to use.

My daughter had this. The way I've avoided her getting it again is to wipe around her mouth and chin with a wet tissue after she brushes her teeth.

Good Luck,
K.

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