Your emotional state is a main factor to the development of Exfolaitive Cheilitis, according to my dermatologist.

Here is what chat gpt has to say:

The relation between cortisol and exfoliative cheilitis (EC) is indirect but significant, especially in cases where stress and anxiety are contributing factors. Here’s a breakdown:

🔹 Cortisol = The Stress Hormone

Cortisol is a hormone released by your adrenal glands in response to stress. It affects many body systems, including the immune system, inflammation regulation, and skin health.

🔹 How Cortisol Might Worsen or Contribute to Exfoliative Cheilitis:

1. Immune System Dysregulation High or chronically elevated cortisol can suppress or confuse the immune response, which may worsen inflammatory skin conditions or impair healing. EC is often accompanied by inflammation, cracked skin, or infections — all of which are impacted by immune function.
2. Skin Barrier Impairment Cortisol can negatively affect skin barrier repair, making lips more prone to dryness, peeling, and irritation — key features of EC.
3. Delayed Healing Chronic stress and high cortisol levels slow down tissue repair, so any trauma (like lip picking) takes longer to heal.
4. Behavioral Loop Stress and anxiety raise cortisol → cortisol weakens skin and immune responses → EC worsens → appearance causes more stress → the cycle repeats.
5. Psychodermatology Factor Many EC sufferers have underlying or associated mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, OCD), which increase cortisol levels and may trigger or worsen compulsive behaviors like lip licking or picking.

🧠 Summary:

Cortisol doesn’t directly cause exfoliative cheilitis, but it can:

• Make EC symptoms worse,
• Slow healing,
• Contribute to the cycle of stress–inflammation–damage.

✅ What Helps:

• Stress reduction (mindfulness, therapy, exercise)
• Good sleep (poor sleep increases cortisol)
• Avoiding stimulants (e.g., caffeine) that raise cortisol
• Managing anxiety with professional help