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Do you have chapped lips?
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Should I see a dermatologist if I have chapped lips?
Sore or dry lips can be caused by many things. Common causes include: cold weather, dry air or wind. damage from the sun. dehydration. a lip injury. allergies. Sometimes they can be caused by a lack of vitamins and minerals. If you have a small, fluid-filled blister on your lip, you may have a cold sore.
Sep 28, 2023 · The fix: Keep your lips coated, day and (especially) night. We know, it’s easier said than done, but Dr. Westbay suggests trying to be as aware as possible of how often you’re licking your ...
- Overview
- Symptoms of chapped lips
- What causes chapped lips?
- Risk factors for chapped lips
- When to seek medical treatment
- How to treat and prevent chapped lips
Cracked lips can occur more often when the weather is dry. Hydrating and using a humidifier may help. You can also get chapped lips due to other causes, such as dehydration and vitamin deficiencies.
Chapped, or cracked, lips is the term commonly used to describe dry lips. Chapped lips can be caused by several factors, that include:
•weather
•excessive licking of the lips
•certain medications
Chapped lips are a common condition that only occurs for most people. But some people may develop a more severe form of chapped lips called cheilitis. Cheilitis can be caused by an infection, characterized by cracked skin at the corners of the lips.
You may experience any of the following symptoms on or around your lips:
•dryness
•flaking
•scales
•sores
•swelling
Lips don’t contain oil glands like other parts of the skin. This means lips are more susceptible to drying out and becoming chapped (cracked). Lack of moisture can make the problem worse, whether it’s weather-induced or related to a lack of self-care.
Little humidity in the air during the winter months is known to cause chapped lips. Frequent sun exposure in the summer can also worsen your condition.
Everyone can get chapped lips, particularly if they have dry skin.
Taking certain medications can also increase your risk of developing chapped lips. Medications and supplements that can cause chapped lips include:
•vitamin A
•retinoids (Retin-A, Differin)
•lithium (commonly used to treat bipolar disorder)
•chemotherapy drugs
Cheilitis
If the severe dryness and cracking doesn’t improve with self-care, you should see a dermatologist. Cheilitis is often to blame for severely chapped lips. This is a condition marked by cracked skin at the mouth corners and several cracks on your lips. If you have this condition, your lips may: •be dark pink or red in color •have a lumpy texture •develop ulcers •have white plaques on the surface Cheilitis is often attributed to infections and inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn’s disease. Dental trauma and excessive saliva production may also turn a regular case of chapped lips into cheilitis. Bacteria can enter through the cracks and cause infection. Adults and children who have orthodontic braces, wear dentures, or use pacifiers are all susceptible to developing cheilitis. A dermatologist can determine whether your dry lips are simply chapped or if you have cheilitis.
Dehydration and malnutrition
Dry lips can also be caused by dehydration or malnutrition. Dehydration causes symptoms including: •lightheadedness •constipation •decreased urine production •dry mouth •headache In severe cases, a person suffering from dehydration may experience low blood pressure, fever, rapid breathing, or a rapid heartbeat. Malnutrition is characterized by many of the same symptoms as dehydration. Additional symptoms can include: •muscle weakness •decaying teeth •bloated stomach •bone fragility Malnutrition can be caused by vitamin deficiencies, so those on limited diets (for example, vegetarians) need to make sure that they are getting enough of the vitamins they need. People with alcohol addiction are also more susceptible to malnutrition due to vitamin deficiencies because excessive alcohol use can interfere with the body’s vitamin absorption. Older adults are also at higher risk for malnutrition because decreased appetite is common. If you suspect you are dehydrated or malnourished, see your doctor right away.
Chapped lips can usually be treated at home. The first step is to make sure that your lips have enough moisture. This can be accomplished by:
•applying lip balm throughout the day
•drinking more water
•using a humidifier at home
•avoiding cold weather conditions or wrapping your mouth with a scarf
Sun exposure can also cause chapped lips, especially as you age. Apply a lip balm that contains a minimum SPF 15 before heading outdoors. The balm helps to moisturize the lips and the sunscreen minimizes further drying effects.
- Kristeen Moore
Nov 21, 2022 · Redness. Swelling or inflammation. Itchiness. Burning sensation. Numbness. Ulcerations or sores. Symptoms of chapped lips most often develop on the colored area of the lips, also known as the vermilion of the lip. In some cases, though, cheilitis can spread to other parts of the lips, or cause blurring at the edges where the colored portion of ...
Applying lip balm regularly should ease discomfort until your lips have time to heal. Severely chapped lips may take longer to heal, but the average time is two to three weeks to recover completely. If you treat chapped lips as soon as you notice a problem, your lips will heal much faster and you can avoid potential complications like infection.
To protect dry, chapped lips from the sun, use lip balm that contains offers SPF 30 or higher and one (or both) of these sun-protective ingredients: Titanium oxide. Zinc oxide While outdoors, apply the lip balm every 2 hours. Drink plenty of water. Chapped lips are dry lips, so you want to stay hydrated.
Oct 9, 2024 · Lip dryness, chronic exposure to the sun, allergies, and infections can all cause your lips to become inflamed. Here are various forms of cheilitis and how you can treat them: Chapped Lips. Chapped lips are sometimes referred to as common cheilitis or cheilitis simplex. You may notice that your lips crack, peel, and develop deep grooves (fissures).
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