Va (India) on 06/04/2017:
About 4 months ago, out of the blue, my lips starting peeling like crazy. I would wake up with very tight lips (felt like there was tape on them). I would get temporary relief after washing and mildly exfoliating them. However, within an hour or so, the tightness would return and over the next few hours, there would be a lot of peeling, redness, soreness, and a little bleeding. I had trouble smiling and talking. There would be this small window in the evening when all of the peeling would go away, only for the cycle to repeat the next day.
Initially, I attributed this to the weather and dehydration.
I turned to the usual home remedies - drinking lots of water, vaseline, beeswax balms, coconut oil, castor oil, fish oil, B12 vitamin supplements, followed by prescription steroid creams. Not one of these things helped at all. I then thought it might be an allergy to something and slowly stopped using any new cosmetics, changed my sheets and pillow case even more frequently. No results yet again.
I was almost ready to give up when I stumbled across Calendula gel as a treatment option. I ordered a 4% strength calendula gel about a month ago. I would apply it 4-5 times a day, followed by beeswax, in the initial week. The peeling and all symptoms went away within 2 days. After that, I have been applying the gel twice a day just for maintenance and my lips have never felt better!
I can't believe most doctors don't know about this option.
Bulbul (India) on 12/07/2016:
I had a blister on the lip before EC came along and for the longest time I tried aloe vera, coconut oil, cortizone cream (which temporarily helped) and finally I stumbled upon Calendula on the net and bought a homeopathic tincture and mixed with glycerine, the healing was fairly quick... 2 weeks or so...
I am still not sure if its gone for good cause but calendula worked when nothing else did.
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Pedro (Brazil) on 09/12/2016:
I have been using Calendula officinalis ointment 10% for about 2 months (3-4 times a day). With its use my lip has stopped peeling and improved a lot. However... it continues red (in the area which it touches the upper lip) and inflamed. I'm also using Bepantol derma. I am wondering which brand of calendula you have and if you are still applying it (and if you remain symptom free). View Entire Thread
Leslie (Cromwell, Ct) on 08/11/2016:
I too have had EXCELLENT results from Calendula officinalis 10% for Exfoliative Chelitis. I apply it and when it drys I add a thin coat of Aquaphor and repeat this throughout the day. I saw results in less than a week. Now I'm back to "normal " and haven't had any signs of EC since using this combo! I am thrilled! My doctors were clueless as well! View Entire Thread
Lynn (Wisconsin, US) on 01/29/2015:
I have had exfoliative chelitis for 2 years and nothing seemed to help. I have seen great improvement using 10% Calendula officinalis gel from health food store. I have been applying it 2x/day and using coconut oil as lip balm. Condition is much improved. I only wish my Dermatologist knew about this treatment when this all started.
