Chapped Lips: Causes, Types & Prevention

Written by Medicover Team and Medically Reviewed by Dr Anusha Nagral Reddy

Chapped lips, or cheilitis, are caused by sun exposure and dry air. Lips lack sebaceous glands, so they need natural moisturizers. Use home remedies to treat chapped lips without drying them out more. Dry lips are usually referred to as chapped or cracked lips.

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A number of things can lead to chapped lips, including:

Weather
Excessive Licking of the Lips
Certain Medications

Types of Dry (Chapped) Lips

Chapped lips can appear in various forms, each with different causes:

Dry Lips: Rough, flaky lips due to dry weather or dehydration.
Cracked Lips: Painful cracks, often bleeding at the corners.
Peeling Lips: Skin flakes off, caused by dryness or sun exposure.
Sunburned Lips: Red, swollen, painful lips from sun exposure.
Allergic Reaction: Swollen, irritated lips from allergens in products or food.
Chronic Chapped Lips (Cheilitis): Persistent dryness and inflammation, often linked to underlying conditions.
Exfoliative Cheilitis: Chronic peeling and redness, often from lip licking or biting.
Dehydration-Related Lips: Dry, cracked lips due to lack of hydration.

Identifying the cause helps in choosing the right treatment.

What Causes Chapped Lips?

Hot water: Strips natural oils, leading to dryness
Drug side effects: Medications like antihistamines, isotretinoin, chemotherapy drugs, and lithium
Licking lips: Enzymes in saliva break down skin, causing dryness
Low water consumption and weather conditions: Dehydration, cold/dry weather, sun exposure
Health conditions: Low stomach acid, poor nutrition, unhealthy gut, dehydration

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Chapped Lips Symptoms

Dryness: Lips feel dry, rough, or flaky.
Cracking: Visible cracks or splits on the surface of the lips.
Peeling: Skin may start to peel or flake off.
Redness: The lips may appear red or inflamed.
Soreness: Lips may feel sore, sensitive, or tender to the touch.
Tightness: A feeling of tightness or discomfort when moving the lips.

When to Visit a Doctor for Chapped Lips?

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. See a dermatologist if these problem persists.

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Diagnosis of Chapped Lips

Chapped lips are usually diagnosed through a simple examination of your lips and medical history. While dry lips are often caused by dry weather or irritation, there may be underlying factors that contribute to persistent dryness or cracking.

Possible Diagnosis Steps

Medical History Review: Your doctor will ask about your lifestyle, diet, and skin-care habits.
Physical Exam: Your doctor will examine your lips for signs of inflammation, dryness, or infection.
Assessing Triggers: You may be asked about potential triggers like allergies, medications, or environmental factors (e.g., weather or climate).

Other Tests

Skin Allergy Test
Blood Test
Skin Swab or Culture Test

For emotional or psychological causes, your doctor may suggest exploring potential stressors or underlying conditions that could be affecting your skin health.

Complications of Untreated Chapped Lips

Cracking and Bleeding
Infections
Persistent Inflammation
Scarring
Lip Discoloration
Increased Sensitivity
Difficulty Eating or Speaking

Chapped Lips Treatment

Treatments depend on the cause, but they can include topical creams and avoidance of the irritant.

Chapped lips are common, especially in dry or cold weather. Fortunately, treating them is simple with the right care. Here are some effective treatments for soft, healthy lips:

Moisturize Often: Use a hydrating lip balm with shea butter or coconut oil.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep lips from drying out.
Exfoliate Gently: Use a lip scrub or a soft toothbrush to gently remove dead skin.
Avoid Licking Your Lips: Saliva can worsen dryness.
Use a Humidifier: Keep the air moist to prevent chapping.
Protect Lips Outdoors: Apply lip balm with SPF before going out in the sun or wind.

Prevention of Chapped Lips

Apply lip balm with sunscreen
Cover your lips with a scarf
Reapply balm often outdoors
Avoid licking lips
Stay hydrated
Use a humidifier
Avoid allergens
Breathe through the nose
Seek medical attention if needed

Home Remedies for Chapped Lips

Dry 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
Honey or aloe vera gel
Coconut oil
Lip Balms and Natural Moisturizers
Exfoliate Gently
Use Rose Petals and Milk
Protect from Environmental Damage
Avoid Licking Your Lips
Avoid Harsh Ingredients

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Frequently Asked Questions

Chronic chapped lips that do not heal can be a sign of serious illness or infection, including actinic cheilitis, an old form of skin cancer that needs immediate treatment.

For chapped lips, use lip balms containing ingredients like petroleum jelly, beeswax, or shea butter. Over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams can also help with severe irritation.

The secret to treating dry, sore, and chapped lips is to retain moisture and protect the lips from cold, dry air. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly is a great choice because it forms a protective layer on the lips and penetrates deeply to rehydrate the skin and speed up its natural renewal process.

Chapped lips are a common symptom of deficiencies, especially in folic acid (vitamin B9), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and vitamins B6 and B12.

Chapped lips can be caused by dehydration, cold weather, sun exposure, excessive licking, allergies, or vitamin deficiencies. Certain medications or health conditions can also contribute to dryness and cracking.

Hydration, low stomach acid, diet, and internal imbalances can all lead to chapped lips. Did you know that chapped lips are usually a sign of problems in the digestive tract? When you are dehydrated, your body draws water from other parts of the body (such as the intestines) to hydrate the cells.

Make sure to use a gentle lip balm or moisturiser multiple times throughout the day and before you go to sleep. If your lips are extremely dry and cracked, give a thick ointment like white petroleum jelly a shot. Ointments are better at locking in moisture compared to waxes or oils. Before heading outside, apply a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher to protect your lips.