Do I Have Actinic Cheilitis (Farmer’s Lip Or Sailor’s Lip)?

Do you have a fair skin?

Do you spend a lot of time in the sun because of work?

Do you sunbathe excessively?

Are you a man over 60?

Do you have dry lips?

Have you noticed that the color of your lips has changed, that you have an abnormally red lip?

Have you noticed that the color of your lips is not uniform - some parts of your lips become white and pale?

Do you have yellow areas on your lip?

Do you have a sore lip?

Do you have a swelling of your lip (an abnormal enlargement of lip)?

Do you have a thick lip, especially in the lower part of your lip?

Have you noticed that the sharp line or border on the lip disappears?

Do you have cracked lip?

Do you have crusting on your lip?

Do you have prominent folds and lip lines?

Do you have lesions on your face or around the lips?

Do you have an itching and burning sensation on the affected area?

Do you have difficulty eating, chewing and swallowing?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have actinic cheilitis (AC). Actinic cheilitis is a lip inflammation due to long-term exposure to the sun and the cumulative effect of ultraviolet rays over the years. In 90 % of cases it appears on the lower lip, along the line that separates the lower lip from the surrounding skin, known as the lower vermilion border. AC is more common in men than women. People who spend a lot of time outside such as farmers, sailors, landscapers, fisherman and professional outdoor athletes are prone to AC. Therefore AC is known as a farmer’s lip or a sailor’s lip.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have actinic cheilitis. Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a condition in which your lower lip becomes inflamed, dry and rough due to excessive exposure to the sun over the years. People with fair skin and people who burn easily or get freckles in the sun are more likely to develop AC. Diagnosing AC is based on a physical exam and histopathology evaluation. Actinic cheilitis may be a benign inflammation of your lip, but sometimes it can be a premalignant condition. To be sure, your doctor will order a skin biopsy. AC can be treated with medications or surgery.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have actinic cheilitis. Actinic cheilitis (AC) is an inflammation of the lips that is usually caused by chronic sun exposure. AC usually affects the lower lip. Ultraviolet components of sunlight (UVB) cause changes in the vermilion - the line that separates the lip from the skin of your face. You should talk to your dermatologist about the lesions on your lip, because sometimes AC can evolve into a dangerous condition called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Treatment will depend on the location, size and severity of your lip lesions and includes medications and several surgical options.