The ManicaPost
CRACKED and chapped lips are usually a result of dryness. The skin of the lips may also peel off in some cases. When the lips become too dry, tiny tears may appear on the surface and this can lead to bleeding and considerable discomfort. Chapped lips are rarely a serious problem and mainly develop during the cold winter months, and due to wind exposure or sunburn. Those who have a habit of constantly licking the lips may also develop chapped lips. Breathing through the mouth can also cause your lips to become dry.
In some cases, certain mild health conditions such as a common cold, nutritional deficiencies, allergies and dehydration may cause the lips to become dry and cracked. It is very easy to care for chapped and dry lips and there’s a lot that you can do to reduce the severity of the problem, such as increasing water intake, avoiding cold or sun exposure and using simple home remedies.
Under the rarest of circumstances, cracked, chapped and dry lips may require medical care. This mainly occurs when the body is severely dehydrated. If the condition is accompanied by other symptoms such as confusion, cold skin and lethargy, it would be a good idea to seek medical attention.
Symptoms of cracked, chapped and dry lips
The lips are so prone to chapping and dryness because the skin is very thin and does not have any protective hair growth. There are also no sweat or oil glands present beneath the surface. Therefore the lips are stripped of moisture much faster than other areas of the body. The common signs and symptoms of chapped lips include: dryness,redness,pain or tenderness, rough skin, bleeding, peeling and flaking, over-sensitivity
Causes of cracked, chapped and dry lips
Following are the causes of chapped, cracked or dry lips: over exposure to the cold or windy conditions, over exposure to the sun, allergies to cosmetic products, infections, drugs, dehydration, Kawasaki disease, Macrocytosis, Riboflavin deficiency, Sjogren’s syndrome, frequent use of soaps and other chemicals, deficiency of vitamin A, B and C, smoking, history of skin disorder. When the lips are chapped or dry do not attempt to lick them, this will make you feel better only for short time. Once the saliva evaporates the condition will worsen. Your lips could be in problem because of your ill-fitting dentures, in such case consult your dentist. In severe cases, where there is excessive cracking, dryness and redness, one can use a medicated lip balm. It is best to avoid using flavoured chap sticks and balms as this could induce frequent licking.
One can also protect the lips from sun exposure and cold, dry winds by covering the mouth with a scarf when going outdoors. Increasing the humidity in the house can also alleviate chapped lips.
It helps to wash the mouth frequently and then follow it up with an application of lip balm. In some cases, the condition may worsen so much that bleeding may also occur. In such cases, one must consult a doctor. Prescription lip balms may then be used to treat the condition.
The lips may become chapped and dry due to various factors. Most cases of chapped lips are due to the following: exposure to harsh winds, sunburn, dehydration, smoking, exposure to harsh chemicals contained in soaps and other skin care products, intake of certain strong medications such as those which help to treat acne, exposure to allergens present in the environment, foods, cosmetics and skin care products, deficiencies of the vitamins A, B and C, wearing dentures that do not fit properly, fungal infection known as angular chelitis which results due to deficiencies of iron, zinc and the vitamins A and B. It results in cracking at the corners of the mouth.
Remedies for cracked, chapped and dry lips
Cracked, chapped and dry lips can be managed through a range of different treatments. Some important tips to care for chapped lips and prevent the condition from worsening are as follows: drink plenty of water daily, apply sunscreen over your lips whenever you step outdoors to protect from sun damage, apply a good lip balm which contains beneficial ingredients that help to moisturise and nourish the lips.
Ensure that your lip balm also contains sunscreen. Refrain from licking the lips often as this can aggravate dryness. If you are prone to dry skin and lips, it is a good idea to use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. Protect the lips with a scarf when there are harsh winds. Sometimes the lips may become dry and chapped due to the ingredients present in toothpaste. Try changing your toothpaste brand to alleviate the problem.
Avoid using lipsticks and other lip cosmetics which contain strong chemicals. Always buy such products from reputed brands and check their expiry date. – Online
