Well, I never went to a doctor as I don't believe in them. My lips peeled constantly. The upper layer was gone and they would crack and bleed and keep peeling. I would get these sores that were all white looking, like big cold sores. I would get up in the morning and open my mouth and my lips would start to bleed. I looked like someone in the movies who just had collagen injections and their lips were twice their original size and red raw. It was hideous. And I was always picking at the peeling skin; it is hard not to. Being female, this treatment did allow me to walk around with gunk on my lips. Sorry, I just know it worked for me. I think once that upper protective layer of skin is gone, you are open for all kinds of problems. The key is to get the upper protective layer to grow back no matter what your symptoms. Just my thoughts. I am trying to help all of you because I know how miserable this makes your life. I didn't want to leave the house.