I've had this for about 4 months now. Totally devastated my life for the first 3 months and I got this from peeling my lips after they got very dry during a very stressed out period.

I would like to call the method I use the "Vaseline and Oral Hygiene" method.

All you need for this method is Vaseline- petroleum jelly, anticeptic oral mouthwash-which kills bacteria, and maybe if want an anticeptic cleaner for wounds.
http://www.dettol.co.uk/products-for-your-family-personal-hygiene-liquid

Thats the one I used, but you could use any other if you wish.
Also take a look at this article
http://voices.yahoo.com/clown-lips-cure-candida-lips-exfoliativa-cheilitis-42...

I used the anticeptic liquid instead of dishsoap. As the dishsoap looks harmful to me.

So here's my story,
About a month ago I decided to go on a "balm free" treatment, as everyone here suggested that is the only cure.
I did not peel off any of the skin I had on my lips, whatever skin that had to come off, came off in the shower, but I did not forcefully peel off any of the skin.I continued this treatment for about 15 days and then I had to "fully exfoliate" my lips as the skin was extremely crusty and my lips were about 4 times the actual size!
So I decided to put on some vaseline and shower. As i was showering i noticed that all off my skin came off naturally and the swelling went down alot! I still had pain and my lips were back to where I started. ("raw lips").However they were not very swollen.
This got me thinking that maybe I got an infection from leaving my lips alone for 15 days, and by leaving them alone I pretty much fed the bacteria as I avoided contact with water as much as possible (I only brushed once a day).

After that all I did was feed my lips vaseline pretty much all the time! which I guess locked in the moisture and helped my lips heal (VERY IMPORTANT)Also I started cleaning my mouth during showers as I hate to see my lips in mirror,(flossing,brushing, cleaning toungue and then the most important MOUTHWASH) twice a day! (mouthwash 3x)

I am also taking an Antibiotic which is called Apo-Amoxi Clav (for 10 days) which my doc prescribed me for infection.

Heres my daily routine
1.Wake up eat breakfast then take antibiotic
2.Shower and "clean mouth"
3.Apply vaseline as much as needed
4.Just mouthwash after eating in the evening then apply Vaseline
5.Shower and "clean mouth"
6.Then apply vaseline and sleep :)


If you decide to do this method you will notice that the thin skin will start to come, and you will not get hard cornflakes as long as your lips are covered in vaseline. You will start to form grooves. Even if you do get skin, its not a big deal as it will easily come off by itself in the shower. Also the swelling will go down in summer, my lips were not sweollen AT ALL for 3 days when the temperature where i live was around 25 degree celcius!

I am very active on this forum and if you have any questions then just reply here. I am about 65% healed with grooves forming. My lips do not get that much white anymore. I still get very thin white skin sometimes but im sure i will be 100% healed in about a month if i continue to do this method.

I will post pictures in about 15 days after some more improvements :)
I hope you guys all get better very soon. I will be very glad if I could help anyone here, because I know what people here are going through and its not easy, but just do not give up and have hope!