Last year DS1 had a lot of problems at preschool (socially). He was assessed by a special ed officer and one of the things she pointed out was that he licked his lips a lot just prior to a meltdown. I had noticed his lips were often dry and cracked and just thought it was just the winter wind from being outside at preschool.

Anyway a year later his behaviour at preschool has improved 100%. No longer any major issues. He's having Occupational Therapy for some sensory issues which is helping a lot.

Lately however I've noticed his lip licking again. I have been putting lip balm on at night and sometimes during the day which is keeping the skin reasonably ok but today after a day at preschool I picked him up and he has almost licked the area around his mouth raw. I stood and watched him for a while and he was licking around his mouth a lot.

Has anyone faced this problem - any tips? It seems to be a habit already but I'd really like to try and stop it before it gets too entrenched.

My four year old DD has been doing a lot of 'lip licking' this winter!! She started off with dry lips and then started licking them (I think because it gave her comfort from them being sore). But because she was constantly licking them and the area was warm and wet she got a small fungal infection around her lips. We got some anti-fungal cream from the chemist and it's cleared up... it does seem to be a cycle that starts with dry lips.

Thanks Jen.

DS1 has this at the moment too. as PP said it's a cycle that can just start from dry lips. i will just add that when i am feeling stressed, i have always chewed my lip (as in the skin in the inside of the the lips) I've done this since childhood. it took me a looong time to work out it was an unconscious stress signal. DH used to point it out to me everytime he saw me doing it, and after awhile i made the connection. so i just think it may be worth keeping an eye on your DS. it may not mean anything major is wrong though.

Hi Kayl, I know that this is a very late reply but my computer has been playing up and I have not been able to send any emails.

I would like to start this email by saying that I am not a medical professional and I am only making guesses based upon your brief email.

"one of the things she pointed out was that he licked his lips a lot just prior to a meltdown" This could be possibly a symptom of epilepsy. The licking of lips is often followed by a "spacing out" but does not necessarily lead to a seizure, which is how most people think about epilepsy. Paul Wade who was the captain of the Socceroos for Australia experienced this very symptom for many years before his condition was eventually diagnosed by a dr who coincidentally noticed it one day near the end of his career.

I would like to emphasise once again that I am not a medical professional and I do not want to alarm you but also suggest that it could be something to look at. It may just be a winter habit as the others have suggested as it is quite common.

I wish you the best of luck in sorting it out.

Feel free to reply.