Characterization and management of exfoliative cheilitis: a single-center experience.
Exfoliative cheilitis (EC) is a rare inflammatory condition affecting the vermilion of the lips and characterized by production of a thick keratin scale. Given the limited available data, the approach to optimal management of EC remains unclear. The objective of this retrospective study was to characterize the clinical features, management, and outcomes of a series of patients with EC. Fifteen patients with a median age of 59 years and a female-to-male ratio of 2:1 were diagnosed with EC from 2000 to 2010. Parafunctional lip licking (53%) and a history of psychiatric disorders (40%) were common. Ten patients (66%) returned for follow-up, with an overall response rate (partial or complete) of 80% at a median of 2 months, most frequently associated with the use of topical calcineurin inhibitors or moisturizing agents. Management of EC with topical calcineurin inhibitors and moisturizing agents is associated with clinical improvement, but prospective trials are needed.
Graduate Student, Department of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: soulafa_almazrooa@hsdm.harvard.edu.
Soulafa A
SA
Almazrooa
Sook-Bin
SB
Woo
Hani
H
Mawardi
Nathaniel
N
Treister
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D002613:Cheilitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004643:Emollients / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016712:Mupirocin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010577:Petrolatum / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010784:Photomicrography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004643:Emollients; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D014212:Tretinoin; C117268:pimecrolimus; D010577:Petrolatum; D016712:Mupirocin; D016559:Tacrolimus