The lips are xerotic and fissured; skin surrounding the lips is erythematous, scaling and chapped appearing. Repeated lip licking is the most common cause of this irritant dermatitis.

Erythema, xerosis, and scaling are common with irritant dermatitis. If no improvement using bland emollients and medium-strength corticosteroid, consider patch testing.

Irritant and allergic dermatitis often appear similar: these hands show erythema, xerosis, scaling, crusting. Look for irritants (repeated washing, soap, solvent, detergent exposure) and allergens.