Do your lips feel tight, itchy, and chapped no matter how much lip balm you use? If so, you’re likely suffering from dry lips.
Not only is this symptom uncomfortable and irritating but it can also cause more severe issues if left untreated.
Many of us experience dry lips at some point in our lives—learn why it could be happening to you and discover the best ways to keep them hydrated moving forward, such as natural lip balms.
Top Causes of Cracked Lips
1. Dehydration
One of the most common causes of dry lips is dehydration. When your body is dehydrated, it doesn’t have enough water to produce the saliva needed to keep your lips moist. If you’re not drinking enough fluids, your lips will become dry and cracked.
2. Weather Conditions
Another common cause of dry lips is weather conditions. If it’s cold outside, the air can dry out your lips. Windy conditions can also cause your lips to become dry and chapped.
3. Medications
Certain medications can also cause dry lips. For example, antihistamines can decrease saliva production, which can lead to dryness. Likewise, acne medications that contain isotretinoin can also cause dryness and cracking.
4. Nutritional Deficiencies
Certain nutritional deficiencies can also contribute to dry lips. For example, a lack of vitamin B12 can cause a condition called angular cheilitis, which is characterized by red, swollen patches around the corners of the mouth. A lack of vitamin A can also lead to dryness and cracking.
5. Excessive licking
Another common cause of dry lips is excessive licking. When you lick your lips, you’re actually removing moisture from them, which can leave them feeling dry and chapped
How to treat chronic chapped lips: Start with lip balm
Chronic chapped lips are an incredibly common yet preventable condition that affects millions of people around the world. A
great place to start when attempting to treat chapped lips is with lip balms, which helps to keep your peeling skin moisturized and hydrated, preventing them from becoming dry and cracked.
Selecting a lip balm with natural ingredients like avocado oil, shea butter, and beeswax can ensure your severely chapped lips receive proper nourishment and protection without drying them out even further by sealing in moisture and providing anti-inflammatory properties.
Additionally, steer clear of anything with a nasty flavor or scent that could irritate your already chapped lips, as well as ingredients such sunscreen or camphor – they’re more likely to irritate your skin than help it heal.
Conditions that can cause chapped lips
Chapped lips can be caused by a number of factors, including temperature changes, skin allergies, sunburns and dehydration.
Here is a detailed list of conditions that can cause chapped lips:
• Cold weather – Exposure to cold temperatures can dry out the skin on your lips, leading to chapping.
• Hot weather – Prolonged exposure to the sun’s rays without any form of protection can cause lips to become dry and cracked.
• Dry air – Low humidity or living in an area with extremely dry air can lead to lip chapping.
• Allergic reactions – Certain foods, cosmetics or medications may trigger allergic reactions which lead to drying and cracking of the lips.
• Dehydration – Not drinking enough water causes the skin on the lips become drier and more prone to breaking down.
- Lip licking which wipes the oil glands and reverses the chapped lips heal process
• Medications – Some medicines such as mouthwashes, antacids, antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs contain dehydrating ingredients that can cause chapping of the lips.
What to do if chapped lips won’t heal?
If your chapped lips won’t heal, here are some helpful tips:
• Moisturize – Use a lip moisturizer or petroleum jelly to help prevent further dryness.
• Use gentle cleansing products – Avoid harsh soaps and cleansers, as they can irritate the skin on your lips.
• Protect your mouth – Wear a lip balm with SPF when spending time outdoors to protect your lips from sunburn and drying out. Reapply lip balm as needed.
• Avoid allergens – Identify any potential allergens you may be reacting to such as food, certain cosmetics, and pollen, and avoid contact with these items.
• Make dietary changes – Eat foods that are rich in vitamins A and C as well as omega-3 fatty acids to help nourish and heal the skin on your lips.
• See a doctor – If chapped lips persists for more than two weeks, consult a doctor who is able to diagnose underlying conditions such as vitamin deficiencies or allergies.
Difference between dry lips versus chapped lips
Dry lips are caused by environmental factors such as cold temperatures, hot weather, low humidity and sunburns. Chapped lips is an extreme form of dryness which can be caused by the same environmental factors or skin allergies, dehydration, certain medications or a reaction to certain food. Maintaining proper hydration and avoiding contact with potential allergens are key to preventing both dry and chapped lips.
What is actinic chelitis?
Actinic cheilitis, also known as “farmer’s lip” is a pre-cancerous condition caused by excessive sun exposure and damage to the lips. It is more common in adults over 40 years old who have had long-term sun exposure, though younger people may be affected as well.
The symptoms of actinic cheilitis include dryness, cracked skin, erosion of the lip edges, sores that form on the sides of the lips, and discoloration of the lips.
Treatment usually involves removing any visible areas of abnormal skin with a scalpel or laser before applying creams and ointments.
What is the main cause of dry lips?
Cold or dry weather can cause your lips to get dry and chapped.
Are dry lips a symptom of anything?
Dry lips and dry skin can be a sign of an underlying condition such as dehydration, vitamin deficiencies or allergies. If your lips remain dry for more than two weeks and chapping persists, you should consult a doctor to rule out any underlying conditions.
How can I prevent my lips from getting chapped?
One of the best ways to prevent your lips from getting chapped is to invest in a quality lip balm that has natural ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, and essential oils.
- Applying this before you go out into cold or windy weather is key to protecting your lips from becoming painfully dry.
- Additionally, keeping yourself hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day helps to keep your lips naturally moisturized and healthy. T
- ry to avoid licking your lips when they feel dry as the saliva evaporates quickly causing them to become even drier.
- Lastly, exfoliating once a week with a gentle scrub will help keep your lips healthy and smooth!
What deficiency causes dry lips?
A vitamin A deficiency is one of the most common causes of dry lips. Vitamin A helps to keep your skin and lips moisturized and healthy. Other deficiencies such as iron, zinc, and fatty acids can also lead to dry lips. It may be beneficial to consult a nutritionist if you are concerned about any possible deficiencies in your diet that may be causing your dry lips.
When should I be concerned about dry lips?
If your lips remain dry and chapped for more than two weeks, you should consult a doctor to rule out any underlying conditions.
Additionally, if you notice any discoloration or irregular changes in the texture of your lips, it is important to seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Any sudden changes in the appearance of your lips could be a sign of a more serious condition such as actinic cheilitis.
How do I stop my lips getting dry?
Here are some tips to help prevent dry lips:
1. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
2. Keep a lip balm with you and apply it frequently.
3. Avoid licking your lips as saliva can dry them out.
4. Use a humidifier in your home or office to add moisture to the air.
5. Wear a lip protector or sunscreen when spending a lot of time outdoors in sunny or windy weather.
6. Choose make-up, toothpaste, and other products that don’t contain irritants like alcohol, fragrances, or flavors that can be drying to the lips.
7. Eat foods high in vitamins A, B and C which are essential for healthy skin cells including those on the lip area.
8. Avoid smoking or using any type of tobacco product as this can worsen case of chapped lips
Heal Chapped Lips Conclusion
In conclusion, dry lips can be caused by a variety of factors such as cold or dry weather, dehydration, vitamin deficiencies or allergies.
To prevent your lips from getting chapped and to keep them healthy and moisturized, it is important to drink enough fluids throughout the day, invest in quality lip balm with natural ingredients like beeswax and shea butter and exfoliate once a week with a gentle scrub.
If you experience any sudden changes in the appearance of your lips that persist for more than two weeks, consult a doctor immediately to rule out any underlying conditions.
Taking these simple steps will help ensure that you maintain beautiful soft lips all year round!
