Symptom 5: Scaly Patches on the Lips
While scales might be great for fish, they’re certainly not something you’d want on your lips. Yet, for those grappling with actinic cheilitis, scaly patches on the lips become an unwelcome reality. Not only are these patches visually jarring, but they also come with their share of discomfort.
Imagine running your tongue over your lips and instead of the familiar smoothness, encountering rough, flaky terrain. It’s like your lips have donned a coat, but this isn’t one that offers protection. Instead, it’s a glaring sign of distress.
So, how do these patches come about? Sun damage is the primary culprit. When the lips face repeated sun exposure without adequate protection, the skin cells can become damaged, leading to the formation of these scaly patches. But the sun isn’t the sole villain; other factors, like tobacco use or even genetics, can exacerbate the condition.(5)
