Learn more on chapped lips
Chapped lips, or cheilitis, are a common issue caused by exposure to the sun and cold, dry air. Lips lack sebaceous glands and cannot produce their own moisture, but natural moisturizers can help. Try home remedies to remove chapped lips without drying them out further.
Causes of Chapped Lips
- Hot water: The skin of the lips is much thinner than elsewhere and also lacks sebaceous glands. This makes them vulnerable to becoming dry and sore. Washing your face with boiling water can strip the lips of their natural oils, making them drier.
- Drug side effects: Some medications, like antihistamines prescribed for allergies and isotretinoin prescribed for acne, have side effects that dry out the lips. The chemotherapy medications and lithium used to treat bipolar disorder can also cause dry, chapped lips.
- Lick lips: Constantly licking your lips is another cause of chapped and dry lips. This is because the saliva that covers the lips contains enzymes to help digest the food we eat. When you frequently lick your lips, the enzymes break down the skin on the lips, causing them to become chapped.
- Low water consumption and weather conditions: If you don't drink enough water or live in a place where the weather is cold and dry, your lips can crack. Spending long hours in the sun during the warmer months can also dry out your lips. Even when you don't use lip balms to keep your lips hydrated or exfoliate them regularly, they can become chapped and dry.
- Health conditions: Health issues like low stomach acid, poor nutrition, and an unhealthy gut can lead to chapped lips. If you are dehydrated, the body will absorb water from the remaining body to hydrate its cells. This can cause constipation and dry skin and lips.
Diagnosis of Chapped Lips
Several tests help physicians identify and diagnose dyspareunia. Your physician will start by creating a complete medical and sexual history. Possible questions your physician may ask you include:Several tests help physicians identify and diagnose dyspareunia. Your physician will start by creating a complete medical and sexual history. Possible questions your physician may ask you include:
- When and where do you experience pain?
- Are other activities causing pain?
- Are there other conditions that may be contributing to your pain?
A pelvic exam is also common in the diagnosis. During this procedure, your doctor will examine the outer and inner pelvic areas for signs of:
- Drought
- Inflammation or infection
- Anatomical problems
- Genital warts
- Scars
- Abnormal masses
- Endometriosis
- Tenderness
Initial exams may lead your doctor to perform other tests, such as:
- Pelvic ultrasound
- Culture test to look for bacteria or a yeast infection
- Urine test
- Allergy test
- Tips for determining emotional causes
Treatment of Chapped Lips
Treatments depend on the cause, but they can include topical creams and avoidance of the irritant.
When to visit a Doctor?
See a dermatologist if your problem persists. Chapped skin that does not heal, despite regular use of lip balm, can be a sign of infection or a more serious problem, including cancer or a precancerous condition called actinic cheilitis
Prevention of Chapped Lips
Most people get chapped lips from time to time. There is a lot you can do to treat and prevent chapped lips. Consider these tips:
- Protect your lips: Before going out in cold, dry weather, apply a lubricating lip cream or balm that contains sunscreen, then cover your lips with a scarf. Reapply outdoors often.
- Avoid licking your lips: The saliva evaporates quickly, leaving the lips drier than before you lick them. If you lick your lips, avoid flavoured lip balm, which might make you lick your lips even more.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids and humidify the air in your home with a humidifier.
- Avoid allergens: Avoid contact with irritants or allergens, such as perfumes or dyes in cosmetics or skincare products.
- Breathe through your nose: Breathing through your mouth can dry out your lips.
- If the cracking is severe and does not respond to home treatment, see your doctor. Rarely persistent chapped lips can show an underlying problem.
Home Remedies for Chapped Lips
Chapped lips can be uncomfortable and unsightly, but several home remedies can help soothe and heal them. Here are some effective home remedies for chapped lips:
- Drink plenty of water
- Cucumber slices help to soothe chapped lips
- Honey or aloe vera gel
- Coconut oil
- lip balms
Citations
The Prevalence of Chapped Lips during an Army Hot Weather Exercise