Dear XXXXXXX

Thank you for using XXXXXXX to address your query and for asking me the question. I need a little more information about the problem: since how long is this problem been going on; is the child getting "bored" and uses this as a "habit" to while away the time or is there some form of pain or local problem associated with the problem.

Dryness of lips can be without any cause, or be associated with familial dryness of the lips, allergic dispositions of the body (such as eczema), fever conditions like viral fever or typhoid, etc.

I don't think this has ANYTHING to do with dehydration (which is what doctors label the condition where the body water gets reduced). In the meantime, may I recommend the use of Vaseline (liquid paraffin wax) on the lips, esp. before she goes to bed. No other costly creams will do any better than plain old Vaseline. Even the "lip guard" will do.

Hope you will revert to me with the answers to my questions.

- Dr. Taher

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Dear XXXXXXX

I am quite sure that vaseline will be appropriate if applied after she goes to sleep. You may wipe it off gently in the morning or once she wakes up before she takes a feed. It won't be worth the while to rebuke her or to shout at her not to pull at the skin, as this will only lead her to do it more and more. Try not to ignore it either. Just keep applying Vaseline gently to the eroded area.

Dr. Taher

P.S. As I wrote earlier, she may be doing it as a distraction from boredom. Try to involve her in some activity or the other so that she is diverted from thinking about it. This will be an effective form of prevention.

-T

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