Dry lip skin: what are the causes of this problem and how to deal with it?

Dry lip skin: causes

The problem of dry lips can have both external and internal causes. In the first case, we are usually talking about such provoking factors as:

• Insufficient air humidity. This problem is especially relevant during the heating season, when the indoor air becomes hotter and drier. To prevent dry lips from causing discomfort at this time, it is recommended to additionally saturate the air with moisture: both special humidifiers and water containers placed along central heating radiators are suitable for this purpose.
• Exposure to frost, wind, sunlight. Both high and low temperatures are a real test for the skin. Exposure to harsh weather conditions can result in very dry and chapped lips. The reason for this problem is explained by the fact that during frost and wind, the skin becomes covered with microscopic cracks, loses its own supply of moisture, and loses elasticity. As for exposure to direct sunlight, lips are more vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation compared to other areas of the face. Due to the negative effects of UV rays, their skin dries, flakes and ages faster.
• Using inappropriate cosmetics. Long-lasting decorative cosmetics (especially matte lipsticks) tend to dry out the skin. As a result of frequent use of such cosmetics, many women complain of dry lips, peeling and the appearance of microscopic cracks on them. Therefore, if you use long-lasting lipsticks, choose products that contain caring ingredients - vegetable oils, animal fats, beeswax, vitamins, etc.
• Habit of licking and biting lips. When a person bites his lips, small cracks form on their surface, and when licking, their water-lipid protective layer is disrupted.
• Smoking. Smoking leads to decreased salivation. Due to this, the smoker licks his lips more often, disrupting their protective water-fat balance and leading to dry skin.

Why do lips crack and peel, and what can you do about it? Expert advice

We asked dermatologists what to do if your lips peel and crack, and how to properly care for them if the balm does not help.

Experts:

• Olga Fem is a cosmetologist-esthetician with a medical education, the founder of the website kosmetologa.net.
• Alexander Prokofiev is a dermatovenerologist, medical expert of the La Roche-Posay brand.
• Svetlana Kovaleva is a dermatologist and cosmetologist.
• Evgenia Reshetnikova is a dermatovenerologist, cosmetologist, and head of the medical department at Sesderma.

What causes lips to become dry and flaky?

Most often due to improper care. For example, lack of protection when it is needed.

The fact is that lips are deprived of natural defense mechanisms. This zone is a transition zone between the skin of the face and the oral mucosa, so the skin here has an atypical structure. It is thinner (three layers, not five, no shiny or grainy). The upper stratum corneum is also very thin, and complete keratinization does not occur in it (which is why the lips are soft). The skin of the lips does not contain melanin and is not able to reflect the effects of sunlight. It has a reduced ability to accumulate and retain water. Moisture evaporates much faster than from other areas of the face, and this leads to dryness, flaking, and the risk of inflammation.

Okay, this is in general, but more specifically, why do peeling appear?

There are external and internal reasons. External:

1. You do not use balm before going outside in cold weather (frost, wind). It creates an occlusive film on the surface of the lips, which prevents moisture evaporation and serves as a protective barrier.

2. You do not use a balm with SPF during periods of increased solar activity.

“Because the skin of the lips does not contain melanin, it cannot tan, but it can get burned. A burning sensation and dryness appear,” explains Evgenia Reshetnikova. “ An ordinary balm, without a sun protection factor, does not work here. On the contrary, you risk increasing the skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation : the balm, like a lens, will increase exposure to rays.

It is advisable to use a balm with SPF in winter, especially if you are into mountain sports: snow reflects the sun's rays. Apply the product before going out into the sun and reapply every 1.5-2 hours.”

3. Dry air at home and in the office . It is known that hot dry air (from batteries, heaters) dries out the skin. But cold (from the air conditioner), according to experts, is no better.

“It is advisable to maintain humidity at 40-60%,” advises Olga Fem. “Unfortunately, 30% in an apartment in winter is a common occurrence. Buy a humidifier if possible."

4. You lick or bite your lips when you're nervous. Try to keep an eye on this.

5. You breathe through your mouth , and this quickly dehydrates your skin. We need to fight the cause of nasal congestion.

6. You regularly go to a dry (Finnish) sauna, a swimming pool with chlorinated water, and often swim in the sea . The same advice - use balm.

7. Frequent and unnecessary use of lip balm.

Olga Fem: “ Balm and hygienic lipstick are not products for regular care, but for temporary protection. With constant use, they worsen the condition of the lips. Why is that? A barrier film on the surface of the skin prevents moisture evaporation. In certain situations this is useful - for example, in the cold. But, in general, evaporation is a natural physiological process. If the balm is constantly on the lips, the cells do not receive a signal that the natural barrier needs to be repaired - after all, there is an artificial one on the lips. Over time, this leads to the fact that you cannot do without chapstick at all. It’s similar to the situation with smoking: another cigarette quickly relieves discomfort, but it also maintains addiction. How to break the vicious circle? Stop using balms and hygienic lipsticks for no reason.”

“Balm is a means for temporary protection, and not for regular care,” - Olga Fem

8. You unknowingly apply facial care to your lips . If it's a regular moisturizer, no problem. But acne treatment products (especially those with retinol and its derivatives) can cause dryness and flaking when they come into contact with the skin of the lips.

9. When brushing your teeth, the paste gets on the skin of your lips. Menthol and eucalyptus essential oil, even with minute contact with lips, provoke dryness.

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In addition, there are internal causes of dry and flaky lips:

1. Dehydration of the body . “It can occur if a person drinks a lot of coffee and little clean water or abuses alcohol,” says Olga Fem.
2. Chronic stress.
3. Frequently recurrent episodes of herpes infection.
4. Gut microbiome disruption.
5. Allergic reaction to cosmetics, food, medicines.
6. Excess or deficiency of vitamins and minerals.
7. Drug therapy. In particular, such side effects sometimes occur when taking Roaccutane.
8. Skin diseases - dryness can be a sign of exacerbation of atopic dermatitis, eczema, neurodermatitis, psoriasis.
9. Cheilitis is a general term for inflammatory processes of the skin of the lips of various types. They occur against the background of individual hypersensitivity to UV rays or frost, hyperfunction of the salivary glands, immunoallergic changes, anxiety and depressive disorders and other factors.
10. Other chronic and infectious diseases. We won’t list them so as not to scare you, but many pathologies are accompanied by dry lips.

How can you understand that your lips are peeling, for example, due to dry air, and not some kind of disease?

“If the peeling is not very strong, most likely it is caused by bad weather, dry air or the habit of licking your lips,” says Alexander Prokofiev, “But if redness, thickening, burning, disturbance of the skin texture, cracks appear, you need to consult a dermatologist.”

If the problem is episodic or seasonal - for example, it arose with the onset of cold weather, during a vacation at the seaside, or you started going to the pool or using matte lipstick more often than usual - you also don’t have to worry.

“After eliminating the cause or adjusting the care, this dryness will go away on its own,” says Olga Fem. “If you don’t notice any changes after a month, it’s better to go to the doctor. Not necessarily to a dermatologist, but to a therapist. The main thing is not to think about the worst. If there are serious problems in the body, most likely, dryness and flaking will not be the only symptoms. More likely, it’s a matter of insufficient or improper care.”

“Cracks are a more severe symptom than peeling. It’s best to immediately contact a dermatologist,” - Alexander Prokofiev

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Why does the skin of the lips not just peel off, but crack? What to do about it?

“Cracks are a more severe symptom than peeling. It’s best to see a doctor right away,” says Alexander Prokofiev. Svetlana Kovaleva insists on the same thing: “Do not self-medicate, go to a gastroenterologist and endocrinologist. Cracks on the lips always indicate the presence of a secondary infection. They can occur against the background of various deficiency conditions and diseases - from lichen planus to diabetes mellitus and oncology.”

What to do right now, before the doctor sees you?

Avoid irritating (salty, spicy, sour) foods for a while. Do not tear off skin flakes and crusts. ​​​​​​​"You can apply an over-the-counter wound-healing, antibacterial agent that is allowed to be used on the outer mucous membrane - says Svetlana Kovaleva - For example, Topicrem Cica or Avene Cicalfate+ restorative cream, or La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 balm."

• Expert tip: Topicrem Cica revitalizing cream
• Expert tip: Avene Cicalfate+ Revitalizing Cream
• Expert tip: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 balm

What causes cracks in the corners of the lips?

Evgenia Reshetnikova: “This is how angular cheilitis manifests itself (in everyday life they say “jams”), it occurs when there is a bacterial or fungal infection of the lips. The causative agents can be streptococci or fungi of the genus Candida. I don’t recommend treating cheilitis on your own; this should be done by a specialist.”

They say that earwax helps with sticking in the corners of the lips. Is there any explanation for this? What does it contain?

There are two types of earwax, dry and wet. Research confirms that the dry form has antimicrobial properties. It contains immunoglobulins and peptides that prevent the development of bacteria and fungi. On the contrary, wet earwax creates a breeding ground for bacteria and promotes their proliferation.

The type of earwax is determined genetically. It is believed that the descendants of Europeans often have wet sulfur, while those from East Asia tend to have dry sulfur.

Why do children have cracked lips?

“Most often due to fungal microflora or against the background of atopic dermatitis, cheilitis is one of its symptoms. You need to consult a doctor,” repeats Svetlana Kovaleva.

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And if you drink vitamin A, vitamin E or a complex, will your lips recover faster? And in general, is it useful for prevention?

Lips can actually peel due to a lack of vitamins A, E, D, B12 and iron. But you can take any vitamins, microelements and complexes only as prescribed by a doctor, subject to a deficiency confirmed by laboratory tests .

“Having discovered signs of iron deficiency (pale skin, circles under the eyes), you can eat and drink all imaginable dietary supplements and not get results, because at the same time there was a lack of vitamin B and carrier protein,” explains Svetlana Kovaleva. Her opinion is supported by Evgenia Reshetnikova: “If you choose your own vitamins and their dosage, there is a risk of getting hypervitaminosis and corresponding negative consequences.”

“Yes, you can read on the Internet that some person took vitamin E, and it helped him,” continues Svetlana Kovaleva. “But a lack of vitamin E causes peeling and cracked lips in a very small number of cases. Most likely, that person was lucky by chance. The same applies to traditional methods of treatment: those who have been helped declare it publicly. The other 50 people who felt no better, or even worse, are unlikely to write about it on the Internet. It’s embarrassing to admit that you applied, for example, melted fat to your lips and hoped that it would help.”

So in the end – how to take care of your lips? How often can I use the balm?

Check list:

1. Apply the cream to your lips morning and evening.

Which cream to use - a special one for the lips or an existing one for the eyelids - is at your discretion. Dermatologists have different opinions.

“There are special lip creams, but personally I think this is not necessary,” says Olga Fem. “You can use a moisturizing or anti-age eyelid cream. The skin around the eyes is also thin and sensitive, and products designed for this area are suitable for lip care.”

Svetlana Kovaleva believes that eye creams can be applied around the lips - but not on the lips.

“If the manufacturer does not directly indicate that the product is suitable for the red border of the lips, then you should not apply it there. When you drink tea, have lunch, or simply lick your lips, the cream will get onto the mucous membrane and into the gastrointestinal tract, and potential risks are not monitored. For example, insulin is released when glucose enters the oral mucosa at a normal acidity level of pH7. If the balance changes, it has a negative impact. Therefore, I advise you to use only those creams that are specifically designed for lips. There is no 100% guarantee that all of them were tested for oral use (since we are talking about cosmetic care, not a medical drug). But at least there is confidence that the manufacturer took this scenario into account when developing the product.”

• Expert advice: Moisturizing cream-protector for lips Silcses, Sesderma. Price – 1525 rub.
• Expert advice: Instant lip balm + prolonging cream activator Fillderma Lips, Sesderma . Price – 3530 rub.
• Total Lip Treatment lip cream . Price – 6505 rub.
• Editor's Choice: Arctic Hydra Care Rich Lip Cream, Lumene. Price – 665 rub.
• Editor's choice: Wine Elixir lip cream, Apivita. Price – 2228 rub.

2. To determine how often to use a balm, choose which of the following descriptions best describes your lips:

Option A) - During the year, your lips are more often in normal condition than in problematic condition. Usually they don't bother. Dryness and peeling appear sporadically.

Option B) – During the year, your lips are more likely to be in a problematic condition. They regularly dry out and peel, and this does not depend on the season. They always want to smear something on them.

If you chose option “A”, use the balm when:

• going outside in cold windy weather;
• going to the beach / for a walk in the city during maximum solar activity (renew balm with SPF every 1.5-2 hours);
• skiing/snowboarding on a sunny day (SPF!);
• go to the sauna or swimming pool.

• Topicrem Ultra-Moisturizing Lip Balm . Price – 537 rub.
• Regenerating barrier balm for children and adults Cicaplast, La Roche-Posay . Price – 528 rub.
• Expert tip: Repaskin Lips Sunscreen SPF 50, Sesderma . Price – 1990 rub.
• Editor's choice: Nourishing lip balm Apaisac, Biorga. Price – 495 rub.
• Editor's Choice: Neutrogena Lip Balm. Price – 250 rub.
• Editor's Choice: Carmex Lip Balm. Price – 350 rub.
• Editor's choice: Lips 101 lip balm, Lanolips. Price – 1290 rub.
• Editor's choice: Nutricia Baume Levres Cocoon Balm, Payot. Price – 1595 rub.
• Editor's choice: the Lip Balm, La Mer. Price – 5300 rub.

If you chose option “B”, a dermatologist should advise you on the balm and the mode of its use.

“There are people who have a tendency to cheilitis. They need to use preventive balms every day, sometimes several times a day. For selection, you should consult a dermatologist,” recommends Svetlana Kovaleva.

3. Drink more water, less dehydrating drinks (coffee, soda, energy drinks).

4. Get rid of the habit of licking your lips and biting off dry scales. This prevents your skin from recovering normally.

Additionally: it is useful to buy an air humidifier and do self-massage. “In the lip area is the orbicularis oris muscle. Massage of this area activates metabolic processes, improves blood circulation and the appearance of the lips. In this video I show how to do it,” Olga Fem.

What about lip scrubs? Are they useful?

“If you are not concerned about the condition of your lips, you do not need to exfoliate them with anything additional. The skin is renewed naturally. If you feel the need to scrub, then there’s probably a reason? Peeling? – says Svetlana Kovaleva. “In this case, you need to diagnose what’s wrong. The scrub will not affect the cause of the problem, but may injure thin skin. I am convinced that scales should never be removed by force. Very high risk of subsequent pathological processes. Only softening and moisturizing with special balms and creams.”

Olga Fem believes that, if necessary, you can use soft enzyme peels without abrasive particles - the same ones that are intended for the face (but try not to lick your lips!) They are less traumatic compared to scrubs.

If I wear lipstick or gloss every day, does it have a bad effect on my lips? Even when they are claimed to be moisturizing?

Mineral oil/wax based lipsticks and lip glosses can work as a protective barrier in the cold. But using them daily will most likely lead to dryness. Moisturizing components evaporate after 1-2-3 hours (depending on the specific product). After this, it is advisable to update the lipstick, but not everyone does this and not always.

Evgenia Reshetnikova: “Most glosses and lipsticks do not contain SPF and do not protect against ultraviolet radiation. Quite the contrary: the pigments included in their composition are often photosensitizers and increase skin sensitivity to the sun.”

I heard that they are now injecting hyaluronic acid to moisturize (not plump) the lips. Worth a try?

They work on the principle of biorevitalization: they introduce hyaluronic acid into the skin, which becomes less abundant with age. The moisturizing effect does not last long, about 1-1.5 months. Since in the body this polysaccharide is broken down by enzymes.

“Such manipulations should be discussed individually with a cosmetologist. I believe that they are justified in cases of age-related deficiency of hyluuronic acid, a decrease in the quality and quantity of collagen, and weakening of muscle tissue. In other cases, it is better to use therapeutic methods,” says Svetlana Kovaleva.

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Stupid question: what condition of the lips is considered normal?-) Maybe they are fine, but I consider them dry because I have seen enough photoshopped portraits on Instagram?

The norm is considered to be a condition that does not cause discomfort.

“It’s easy to check whether you are properly caring for the skin of your lips,” says Olga Fem. “In the morning, wash your face with filtered or boiled water and do not apply any cream or lipstick to your lips. It's better to choose a day when you can stay home.

If you take proper care of your lips, one day without cream and balm will not lead to dryness. You won’t feel the urge to apply anything, you’ll feel comfortable.”

Our experts:

Olga Fem

Cosmetologist-esthetician with medical education, creator of the website kosmetologa.net, Instagram – @olgafem. YouTube channel – Cosmetologist.net.

Svetlana Kovaleva

Dermatologist, cosmetologist, Educational.

Evgenia Reshetnikova

Dermatovenerologist, cosmetologist, head of the medical department of Sesderma.

Alexander Prokofiev

Dermatovenerologist, medical expert at La Roche-Posay. Works in . Participated in clinical trials of drugs.

Instagram @dr.prokofyev

Dry lips as a sign of disease

In some cases, internal pathologies of individual organs and systems can manifest themselves through the skin. What, besides external factors, can cause dry lips? What disease can cause this unpleasant symptom?

• Fungal infection. The most common cause of inflammation of the skin around the mouth is the fungus Candida Ablicans. This microorganism causes peeling of the lip borders and also provokes the appearance of small wounds in the corners of the mouth.
• Cheilitis. This disease can affect both the lips themselves and the skin around them and the mucous membrane. The disease manifests itself in the form of peeling, the formation of small crusts and wounds. If these symptoms are present, the patient experiences difficulty eating, drinking, and talking.
• Herpes. The presence of herpes simplex virus type 1 in the human body manifests itself in the form of dry lips, itching, and the appearance of fluid-filled blisters on their surface.
• Endocrine system diseases (diabetes, hypothyroidism)
• Low hemoglobin level. One of the signs of low hemoglobin levels in the blood is the appearance of cracks in the corners of the mouth.
• Some medications (hormonal drugs)
• Psoriasis. With this disease, areas of the skin around the mouth may suffer: they begin to peel off, itching and pain appear.
• Allergy. Dry lips can be a sign of an allergic reaction to components included in decorative cosmetics and toothpaste, as well as to a number of other allergens - household dust, pollen, food, etc.
• Hypovitaminosis. A lack of vitamins B2, PP, E, C and A often causes dry lips, peeling and the formation of cracks on their surface.
• Dehydration. Dry lips can be a sign of insufficient fluid intake. Dehydration can also be caused by the body losing large amounts of fluid due to diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, or taking diuretics (water medications).

Additional symptoms

As a rule, peeling is accompanied by other, more unpleasant symptoms:

• crusts;
• cracks;
• itching;
• redness;
• pain during talking, eating, kissing;
• rashes;
• burning;
• excessive dryness;
• spread of inflammation.

Most often, dryness and slight redness appear first, then a thin but dense film forms, which bursts and begins to peel off. The process is different for everyone: for some, dry pieces of skin fall off, for others they are a little damp, stick and look very unaesthetic.

If no measures are taken at this stage, bleeding cracks and crusts with ulcers may then appear. The hyperemia of the entire area around the mouth increases. This can result in infection and spread of inflammation. The pain will gradually increase.

Lifehack. To reduce pain when eating and when your lips are peeling, lubricate them with honey half an hour before meals.

Dry lips in newborns and older children

Dry corners of the lips, cracks on them, the appearance of itching and small wounds cause a lot of inconvenience to both the baby and his parents. The child experiences discomfort and pain while eating, becomes irritable and whiny. Often parents cannot understand the reason for this condition of the baby. It is difficult to detect dry lips in a baby in a timely manner because the problem is not always visible externally, and the child himself is not yet able to explain to mom and dad what is bothering him.

Why are lips dry and flaky? The reasons for this problem in children may be as follows:

• Atopic dermatitis. Peeling and redness of the skin in the nasolabial triangle, accompanied by severe itching, is a common symptom of atopic dermatitis. In addition, cracks and small wounds may appear on the lips.
• Licking lips. Small children have a habit of putting things into their mouths and licking them. Because of this, saliva gets on the skin, which is a rather aggressive alkaline liquid that causes irritation.
• Nasal congestion. If a child has difficulty breathing through his nose, he does it through his mouth. As a result, lips become chapped and dry.
• Increased body temperature. High fever is often accompanied by dry skin, including dry and cracked lips.

In addition to the reasons mentioned above, dry lips in a child can be caused by dehydration, systemic pathologies, exposure to high/low temperatures, etc.

Lack of vitamins

Lack of essential minerals and vitamins can cause your lips to become dry and begin to peel.

A lack of the following minerals can cause them to not only dry out, but also begin to peel, crack, and bleed:

• Vitamin B For healthy hair, nails and skin
• Vitamin B Essential for healthy skin. Its deficiency can lead to dry and cracked lips, swollen tongue and dermatitis.
• Vitamin B deficiency is associated with skin diseases, dermatitis and cracking at the corners of the mouth.

But too much of them can also be harmful, for example, consuming too much vitamin A can cause dryness.

Dry lips: treatment

If dry lips are a symptom of some internal pathology, treatment should be aimed at eliminating the root cause of the dryness. In this case, therapy is prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the general condition of the patient. To speed up recovery, vitamin therapy, correction of the daily diet, and the application of special nourishing and moisturizing external agents may be recommended. If dry lips are accompanied by the formation of wounds and cracks on them that become infected, resulting in inflammation, the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications.

Dry lips: treatment at home

If the feeling of tightness and the formation of microcracks on the lips is caused by external factors and you have no internal pathologies, treatment may be limited to the use of folk remedies.

The following recipes are good for softening the skin:

• 0.5 tsp. chamomile flowers are poured into 100 ml of boiling water and allowed to brew until completely cooled. Moisten a cotton pad with the resulting infusion and place it on the lips for 10 minutes.
• Honey works well for cracked lips. It should be applied to the affected areas for 10 minutes and then washed off.
• Sea buckthorn, mustard and linseed oil provide softening and nourishment to the skin. It is necessary to apply any of the indicated oils for 5-10 minutes, and then gently blot the residue with a soft cloth.

Dry lip skin: what to do for prevention?

If you don't want to have the problem of dry and flaky lips, follow these simple preventive tips. What basic rules of care should you remember?

• Don't lick your lips - especially on the street.
• Avoid eating both very hot and extremely cold foods.
• Before going outside, use hygienic lipstick for dry lips. La-Cri lip balm is well suited for this purpose. The product contains active ingredients such as almond and castor oil, shea butter and rosewood, licorice, aloe and vanilla extracts, as well as vitamins A and E, panthenol, allantoin and bisabolol. They have a beneficial effect on the skin of the lips, nourishing, moisturizing, regenerating and softening it.
• Minimize the use of long-lasting matte lipsticks.
• Don’t forget to remove makeup residue every day, do gentle exfoliation from time to time, and make nourishing lip masks.
• Eat properly and balanced.

If you follow these simple recommendations, you can not only avoid the problem of dry lips, but also maintain their elasticity, softness and youth for a long time.

During pregnancy

Lips begin to peel during pregnancy, usually due to hormonal changes that occur in readiness for the birth of a child. This is a common problem among expectant mothers. Hormonal fluctuations strip the skin of oil and elasticity, which help prevent dry skin.

When this is the only reason for peeling lips, then it is considered normal. The condition may be painful, but not harmful. You can simply stop the flaking and reduce the pain by using the simple home remedies discussed at the end of the article.

If your lips get worse, you should see a doctor to determine if there is a more serious problem that may be causing your lips to peel. Avoid licking or picking at them, as this can cause cracking and bleeding.

Clinical researches

In the course of clinical studies conducted by an expert group together with the Union of Pediatricians of Russia, it was found that La-Cri lip balm relieves the feeling of dryness and discomfort, and also restores dry and cracked lips, moisturizes and protects lips from wind, cold and sun . Based on the results of the research, it became possible to place a special mark on product packaging - “Recommended by the St. Petersburg Branch of the Union of Pediatricians of Russia.”

Sources:

1. Baumann Leslie, Cosmetic Dermatology. Principles and practice, publishing house: MEDpress-inform, 2016
2. Ratner Desiri, Avram M.R., Avram M.M., Procedures in Dermatology. Clinical cosmetology, Publishing house: GEOTAR-Media, 2019
3. Sukolin Gennady Ivanovich, Clinical dermatology. A short guide to the diagnosis and treatment of dermatoses, publishing house: Notabene, 2017