Eczematous Cheilitis in an Adolescent Girl and Menstrual Dysfunction: A Case Report of Individualized Homeopathic Management

Abstract

Background

Cheilitis is an inflammatory disorder of the lips with a broad differential diagnosis, including irritant and allergic contact cheilitis, atopic cheilitis, infectious causes, nutritional deficiencies and cheilitis associated with systemic dermatoses. Clinical differentiation can be challenging because several etiologies produce similar findings such as dryness, fissuring, scaling, irritation and bleeding.

Case Presentation

A 15-year-old female student presented with a one-month history of irregular cuts, fissures, flaky skin and dryness of both lips, accompanied by mild itching and occasional blood oozing from the cracks. Tiny eruptions were also present over the chin. The initial clinical impression recorded was lip atopic dermatitis with a differential diagnosis of eczematous cheilitis.

The patient had a history suggestive of menstrual and androgen-related abnormalities, including polycystic ovary syndrome documented since menarche, acne over the forehead and chin, unwanted hair growth over the chin and upper lip, early greying and a history of prolonged, profuse menstrual bleeding at menarche. Her menstrual cycles subsequently became regular during follow-up. She also reported irritability, anger over trivial matters, stubbornness, low self-confidence, stage fear, nervousness and anticipatory anxiety.

Intervention and Outcome

The case was individualized using physical generals, mental characteristics and repertorial analysis. The repertorization included symptoms such as sensitivity, lack of self-confidence, timidity, anticipation, confusion and irritability. Silicea was subsequently selected based on the documented constitutional picture, particularly the combination of timidity, stage/performance-related fear and sweating of the palms and soles.

Follow-up demonstrated progressive improvement in lip fissuring and dryness. By June 2026, the cracks and fissures were reported to be much better, with no oozing. Similar improvement was documented in July and August 2026. Menstrual cycles were also reported as regular during the later follow-ups.

Conclusion

This case illustrates the longitudinal documentation of an adolescent with fissured cheilitis and concurrent menstrual and hyperandrogenic features during individualized homeopathic care. The case highlights the importance of detailed symptom characterization and longitudinal follow-up. However, because this is an uncontrolled single case with incomplete diagnostic investigations and concurrent clinical management, the observed improvement cannot establish a causal therapeutic effect.