In my first two years of grad school, I developed a habit of "biting" my lower lip when thinking. I don't think that's the cause, as I think I've ditched that habit.
Anyway, let's go back to the beginning. Last April I developed a single blister on my lower lip after doing the Taste of Uptown/Hillcrest (if I remember correctly, Hash House-a Go Go was excellent). Within one or two weeks, the blister progressed from cracks and peeling to severe oozing/inflammation over both lips. I went to an urgent care center where they attributed the problem to sunburn and prescribed antibiotics and 1% hydro-cortisone. The oozing and inflammation stopped.
After a few weeks under the care of hydro-cortisone, I tried to wean myself of it but the cracks were back. I consulted the school clinic twice. One doctor gave me a stronger (2%) hydro-cortisone(?!). Wow, I still remember how much that stung. The next doctor told me that hydro-cortisone thins the skin if used too long. However, his only advice was to try an assortment of alternatives (Vaseline, Chapstick, Blistex, etc.) and give it time.
Well, it's been about 9 months. I could have produced a baby by now if I was a girl and pregnant. My lips still seem dry, but in a different way. It seems like it's encased in a low polygon-count shell instead of soft skin. I've stopped using Chapstick since about August and just drink lots of water, so it's probably not an addiction problem. Oh well, time to stop thinking about it.
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