My lips are severely red and peeling and feel as though they are constantly dry which they are not & they burn?

In March 2004 i got braces...then in July of 2004 my lips turned severly red and were always sore and burning. I used petroleum jelly for a long time and thought it was just the nickel in the braces and that i could tough it out for the 2 years...Well here I am 5 years later and my lips are still "dry" severely red, burning, and peeling. I use softlips chapstick because it is the only thing that doesn't seem to bother my lips..but who knows it probably does too and I just don't realize it. My skin is sensitive to nickel, and I also have eczema but it is dormant (never flares up) so I don't understand my lips. I've tried buying nickel free silverware and so far it hasn't helped. I want to try only drinking/using bottled or filtered water..but since obviously i have to take showers, I don't know how I would go about doing this...If anyone has any experience or anything please let me know.. i'm willing to try almost anything!!!! HELP