Chronic Recurrent Cheilitis with Vesicular Eruptions and Suppressed Emotional Stress: A Case Report of Individualised Homoeopathic Management

Abstract

Background

Chronic recurrent eruptions involving the lips may present with erythema, itching, vesicles, dryness, cracking and episodic swelling. Identification of maintaining and aggravating factors, together with a detailed individualised history, is important in the assessment of such cases.

Case Presentation

A female student presented with recurrent eruptions predominantly involving the corners and upper lip since winter 2025. The condition was characterised by itching, redness, occasional vesicular eruptions, burning, dryness and mild blackish discoloration around the corners of the mouth. The patient reported temporary improvement following application of topical gel, while dryness subsequently recurred. Prior treatment with acyclovir ointment had suppressed the eruptions, after which the condition remained recurrent.

The patient was a student at a university in Lucknow. Her history revealed significant emotional sensitivity. She described herself as reserved and introverted, with hesitation while discussing her complaints. She reported anxiety regarding her career and family health and a history of suppressed anger. A significant stressful period occurred when her brother and sister-in-law underwent a divorce, which emotionally affected both the patient and her mother.

Physical generals included decreased appetite and thirst, a hot thermal state, disturbed sleep and craving for spicy food. The case was individualised and Staphysagria 200C was recorded as the homoeopathic prescription.

During follow-up, eruptions initially reduced, although dryness persisted. Subsequent episodes of swelling, itching, redness and watery discharge were documented. Later, improvement was reported for approximately 20 days, although redness and swelling continued to show aggravation from sun exposure. At the latest follow-up, recurrent redness and itching of the lip with flakes remained documented.

Conclusion

The case demonstrates the importance of detailed individualised case taking in chronic recurrent lip eruptions, particularly when there is a history of emotional stress, suppressed anger and previous symptomatic treatment. The available records document fluctuations and periods of improvement during follow-up. However, because confirmatory dermatological investigations and standardised outcome measures were not provided, treatment efficacy cannot be established from this single case.