Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsDiagnosisRisk FactorsTreatmentProgression
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Risk Factors
Treatment
Progression
In this article, you’ll learn the signs of actinic cheilitis and what the difference is between chapped lips and actinic cheilitis lip symptoms. The article will also cover diagnosis, risk factors, causes, treatment, and prognosis of actinic cheilitis on the lips.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Actinic Cheilitis Lip Symptoms: How to Tell
There are some defining features of actinic cheilitis. These signs can help you determine whether you have actinic cheilitis lip symptoms or dry orchapped lipsfor another reason. A key characteristic is that the lower lip is more commonly affected as it has greater exposure to the sun.
Symptoms of actinic cheilitis include:
Actinic Keratosis
Getting a Timely Actinic Cheilitis Diagnosis
If you think you have signs and symptoms of actinic cheilitis, consulting with a dermatologist for a timely diagnosis is the next step. Getting a timely actinic cheilitis diagnosis or getting a timely assessment for unknown lip skin changes is important for your health. Left untreated, actinic cheilitis can progress toskin cancer, including squamous cell carcinomaof the skin.
While this may sound alarming, bear in mind skin cancer is highly treatable, especially when found in its early stages.
Risk Factors for Actinic Cheilitis
Risk factors for actinic cheilitis include excessive exposure to UV light from the sun or from indoor tanning beds. The American Academy of Dermatology says most people who get AKs have spent much of their time outdoors and perhaps without sun protection.
The lip is more vulnerable to this type of sun damage because the skin in thin here and has less pigment to protect it against the sun’s rays.
Prevention measures include:
What Does the SPF Number Mean?
Other factors that contribute to a person’s likelihood of developing this type of AK include:
The 3 Skin Signs for Evaluating Patients
Treatment for Actinic Cheilitis Lip Symptoms
Treatment for actinic cheilitis lip symptoms includes using creams and other forms of therapeutic intervention. You may need one form of treatment or a combination of treatments, depending on the severity of your symptoms andwhether AC has progressed from precancerous to cancerous.
Treatments ror actinic cheilitis lip symptoms include:
WarningAccording to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 5-FU is not a safe or suitable treatment option for someone who is pregnant because this medication can cross the placenta, causing harm to the fetus.
Warning
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 5-FU is not a safe or suitable treatment option for someone who is pregnant because this medication can cross the placenta, causing harm to the fetus.
Can You Treat AC at Home?
The creams used to treat AC can be purchased over the counter and used at home.
How Quickly Does Actinic Cheilitis Progress?
The 10-year rate of malignant transformation of AK estimates range from 6% to 10% (the likelihood that the lesions become cancerous), with approximately 60% of squamous cell carcinomas arising from actinic keratosis.
Skin color changes or early signs of sun damage can indicate a decline in your skin’s health. Losing firmness in your lips is another potential early warning sign.
AC will not go away on its own. While it may not look like much in its very early stages, it is serious and requires diagnosis and treatment because it can progress to squamous cell carcinoma. If you think you may have AC the next step is to see a healthcare provider or dermatologist for assessment.
How Skin Cancer Is Treated
Summar
Actinic cheilitis is a form of actinic keratosis, or a precancerous skin lesion. It presents as dry, chapped, scaly lips with white patches or discoloration. People who are frequently exposed to UV rays from the sun or tanning beds are at greater risk, especially when sun protection is not involved. Other risk factors include age and declined immune system functioning.
AC is serious, and when left untreated, it can progress to skin cancer. Treatments include medicated creams, various laser therapies, and surgical removal of any scaly patches or lesions (in more severe cases or where the AC has progressed to skin cancer). Skin cancer treatment in early stages is highly effective.
Skin Cancer Treatment
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology.Actinic keratosis: what gets and causes.American Academy of Dermatology.Keratosis: signs and symptoms.Skin Cancer Foundation.Keratosis.Larios G, Alevizos A, Rigopoulos D.Recognition and treatment of actinic cheilitis.Am Fam Physician. 2008;77(8):1078-1079.Nahm WJ, Shen J, Zito PM, Gonzalez AM, Nagrani N, Moore K, Badiavas EV, Kirsner RS,Nichols AJ. A non-surgical and cost-effective treatment approach employing topical imiquimod, 5-fluorouracil, and tretinoin for primary non-melanoma skin cancers.Journal of drugs in dermatology:JDD. 2021;20(3): 260–267. doi:10.36849/JDD.5427Firnhaber JM.Diagnosis and treatment of Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.Am Fam Physician. 2012;86(2):161-8.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Squamous cell carcinoma symptoms.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology.Actinic keratosis: what gets and causes.American Academy of Dermatology.Keratosis: signs and symptoms.Skin Cancer Foundation.Keratosis.Larios G, Alevizos A, Rigopoulos D.Recognition and treatment of actinic cheilitis.Am Fam Physician. 2008;77(8):1078-1079.Nahm WJ, Shen J, Zito PM, Gonzalez AM, Nagrani N, Moore K, Badiavas EV, Kirsner RS,Nichols AJ. A non-surgical and cost-effective treatment approach employing topical imiquimod, 5-fluorouracil, and tretinoin for primary non-melanoma skin cancers.Journal of drugs in dermatology:JDD. 2021;20(3): 260–267. doi:10.36849/JDD.5427Firnhaber JM.Diagnosis and treatment of Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.Am Fam Physician. 2012;86(2):161-8.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Squamous cell carcinoma symptoms.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Dermatology.Actinic keratosis: what gets and causes.American Academy of Dermatology.Keratosis: signs and symptoms.Skin Cancer Foundation.Keratosis.Larios G, Alevizos A, Rigopoulos D.Recognition and treatment of actinic cheilitis.Am Fam Physician. 2008;77(8):1078-1079.Nahm WJ, Shen J, Zito PM, Gonzalez AM, Nagrani N, Moore K, Badiavas EV, Kirsner RS,Nichols AJ. A non-surgical and cost-effective treatment approach employing topical imiquimod, 5-fluorouracil, and tretinoin for primary non-melanoma skin cancers.Journal of drugs in dermatology:JDD. 2021;20(3): 260–267. doi:10.36849/JDD.5427Firnhaber JM.Diagnosis and treatment of Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.Am Fam Physician. 2012;86(2):161-8.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Squamous cell carcinoma symptoms.
American Academy of Dermatology.Actinic keratosis: what gets and causes.
American Academy of Dermatology.Keratosis: signs and symptoms.
Skin Cancer Foundation.Keratosis.
Larios G, Alevizos A, Rigopoulos D.Recognition and treatment of actinic cheilitis.Am Fam Physician. 2008;77(8):1078-1079.
Nahm WJ, Shen J, Zito PM, Gonzalez AM, Nagrani N, Moore K, Badiavas EV, Kirsner RS,Nichols AJ. A non-surgical and cost-effective treatment approach employing topical imiquimod, 5-fluorouracil, and tretinoin for primary non-melanoma skin cancers.Journal of drugs in dermatology:JDD. 2021;20(3): 260–267. doi:10.36849/JDD.5427
Firnhaber JM.Diagnosis and treatment of Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.Am Fam Physician. 2012;86(2):161-8.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Squamous cell carcinoma symptoms.
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