Are your lips sunburned and discolored? Is that Actinic Cheilitis?

Do your lips often feel dry, cracked, and sometimes peeling? Do you sometimes feel like this condition worsens when you go out in the sun? Then this is something that may be important to you. Today, we will talk about 'Actinic Cheilitis', a condition that occurs around the lips and that requires a little attention.

Simply put, what is actinic cheilitis?

Actinic Cheilitis is a precancerous condition . This means that if it is not treated properly, it can develop into skin cancer in the future. This condition is mainly caused by prolonged exposure of the lips to sunlight, especially the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. It is most often seen on the lower lip. You may have seen some people whose lips have become rough, peeling, and discolored. These are the same symptoms seen in this case.

This is called by other names, for example:

• Actinic Cheilosis
• Farmer's Lip
• Sailor's Lip
• Solar Cheilitis

"Cheilitis" means "inflammation of the lips." Actinic cheilitis is a form of a condition called actinic keratosis. Actinic keratosis is a precancerous condition that can develop anywhere on the skin. Over time, these can develop into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) . That's why it's important to be aware of this.

Who is most likely to develop this condition?

Now let's see who is most likely to develop this condition called Actinic Cheilitis. Actually, anyone can develop it. However, some people are at a slightly higher risk.

• For those with fair skin: If your skin tone is very fair, meaning you have less melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color, your lips are more likely to be sensitive to the sun.
• For men: Since men often work outdoors (think of a farmer, a port worker, a construction worker), they are exposed to more sun. They are also less likely to use lip balm with sunscreen to protect their lips from the sun's rays.
• People over 65: People of this age are also at higher risk due to lifelong sun exposure.
• For those who work outdoors: As mentioned earlier, people like sailors, farmers, lifeguards, and those who work in the construction field are constantly exposed to the sun.
• For those who live near the equator or in high mountain areas: The sun's rays are more intense in these places.
• People with skin pigmentation abnormalities: For example, people with a congenital condition where there is very little skin pigmentation, such as albinism, are also at risk.

Why is this happening? What is the reason?

Okay, now let's see why this actinic cheilitis occurs. The main and only reason for this is the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun, that is, `(UV rays)`. Due to these rays, the skin cells on our lips are genetically `(Genetic damage)`.

Did you know that the skin on the lips is much thinner than the skin on the rest of our body? Also, the amount of melanin in the skin on the lips is less. This pigment protects the cells from sunlight. So for these reasons , the lips become very sensitive to the sun. Continuous exposure of the lips to the sun for a long time is the main cause of this condition. Just like a drop of water falling on the same place repeatedly wears away even a stone. Therefore, if you work in the sun or are a person who is often in the sun, you should also think about your lips.

What are the symptoms of this? How do you feel?

Now let's see what symptoms you can see and feel on your lips with this condition called Actinic Cheilitis. These symptoms can be seen on one lip or on both lips.

• Lips that always feel chapped: No matter how much you drink or eat, your lips feel chapped and dry.
• Cracked: Small cracks can be seen on the lips.
• Crusty: It can peel off like a dry peel, and sometimes it can form a crust.
• Discolored: The lips may develop white or yellow patches. Or the lips may become redder than usual.
• Dryness: Feeling like your lips are dry no matter how much water you drink.
• Folded in spots: Some areas of the lips may appear folded.
• Roughness like sandpaper: When you touch your lips, they may feel rough like sandpaper.
• Scaly: It may look and feel like it has small scales, like the scales of a fish.
• Swollen: The lips may appear slightly swollen.
• Thin or fragile: The lips are so thin that they feel like they could be injured by even the slightest touch.

Also, the vermilion border, the border between the red part of the lips and the rest of the skin, can become blurred. Some women say that this border is not clear when applying lipstick, making it difficult to apply it properly.

Most of the time, actinic cheilitis is painless. However, some people may experience the following:

• Burning
• Numbness
• Pain
• Soreness when touching the lips, pain when pressed
• Tenderness

If you have one or more of these symptoms, don't dismiss it as something simple.

How does a doctor diagnose this exactly?

Okay, if you have these symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor. A dermatologist is best. The doctor will examine you and see if you have:

• Is it just a chapped lip, or is it a normal inflammation of the lips (Cheilitis) that does not pose a risk of cancer?
• What is Actinic Cheilitis?
• Is it a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)?
• Or is it another illness?

Find out exactly.

A doctor diagnoses the condition Actinic Cheilitis based on the following:

• Physical examination of your lips: The doctor will look at your lips carefully, touch them, and check for any changes and how far they have spread.
• By asking questions about your lifestyle: For example, how much time do you spend outdoors, do you use anything to protect yourself from the sun, has anyone in your family ever had cancer, and do you smoke?
• Skin Biopsy: Sometimes, if the doctor is suspicious, they will take a very small piece of skin from the lip and send it to a laboratory to be examined microscopically. This can identify changes at the cellular level. This can then be used to determine whether the condition is cancerous or precancerous.

What are the treatments for this?

Because actinic cheilitis is a condition that can become cancerous, you should definitely talk to a doctor about your treatment options. Your doctor will recommend the right treatment for you. It will depend on the severity of your condition, how widespread it is, and your overall health.

The main goal of treatment is to reduce the risk of the condition developing into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Treatment options may include:

• Types of Creams: There are special types of creams prescribed by doctors. For example:
• Creams containing retinoids.
• A cream containing a drug called 5- Fluorouracil . This controls the growth of cancer cells.
• Imiquimod cream. This stimulates the body's immune system to help destroy abnormal cells.
• Cryotherapy: This involves using something extremely cold, such as liquid nitrogen, to inactivate and destroy abnormal cells. It's like being hit with ice.
• Electrocautery: This uses heat from an electric current to destroy abnormal tissue.
• Laser Ablation: This involves selectively removing abnormal cells using a laser beam.
• Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): This is a special treatment method. Here, a special medicine is applied or injected into the body, and then a special light is directed at those areas to destroy harmful cells.
• Vermilionectomy: This is a surgical procedure. If the condition is severe, it involves surgically removing part or all of the damaged vermilion border.

Your doctor will decide which of these treatments is best for you.

How can we survive this?

So, what can we do to protect ourselves from solar cheilitis (another name for actinic cheilitis) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)? The best thing to do is to protect your lips from the sun's harmful rays all year round.

• Always apply a lip balm that contains sunscreen. It is best to use one with at least SPF 30 (Sun Protection Factor 30) . Remember to reapply throughout the day, not just when you are in the sun, but especially after eating or drinking.
• Limit your time in the sun. Especially during peak hours, which is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun is at its strongest. Minimize your time outside during those hours. Stay in the shade under a tree, or use an umbrella.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat that covers your lips. This will provide shade for your face as well as your lips.

It is important that people with actinic cheilitis undergo regular medical checkups to check for changes that could be early signs of cancer. Dermatologists often recommend having a skin exam at least once a year.

"One more thing, if you are a smoker, you should definitely quit smoking. Smoking can make this condition worse and increase the risk of cancer. If you need help quitting smoking, ask your doctor. There are many ways to do that now."

How will this situation go forward?

Now let's look at the outlook for someone with actinic cheilitis. If you continue to protect your lips from the sun and follow your doctor's instructions, you can control this condition.

However, if you continue to be exposed to the sun and don't treat it, you're at an increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This can be life-threatening. Statistically, between 6% and 10% of people with actinic cheilitis will develop SCC. Also, SCC that starts on the lips is more likely to spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body than SCC that starts elsewhere on the skin. So it's not something to be taken lightly.

Do I need to see a doctor again after treatment?

Yes, absolutely. If you have been diagnosed with Actinic Cheilitis and are receiving treatment for it, you should continue to have routine checkups. It is usually important to see a doctor every six months or at least once a year, as recommended by your doctor. Then, if there is any change, if the condition recurs, or if there are signs of cancer, you can quickly identify and start treatment.

What are the most important things we should take home from this story?

Simply put, actinic cheilitis is a precancerous condition of the lips caused by prolonged sun exposure. These rough, scaly patches often appear on the lower lip. If you notice any new changes to your skin or lips, such as a spot, a sore that won't heal, persistent dryness, or cracking, please don't ignore it and see a doctor.

It is very important to get an accurate diagnosis and take the necessary steps to prevent this condition from developing into skin cancer. Remember, the best way to avoid this is to protect yourself from the sun. That means using lip balm with SPF, wearing hats, and staying out of the sun. Take care of your lips too. It is very important for your health.

` Actinic Cheilitis, Lip cancer, Lip cracking, Sunlight, Skin cancer, SCC, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, UV rays, Dermatology, lip cancer, sun exposure, skin cancer, lip care, Farmer's lip, Sailor's lip