What Causes Chapped Lips?
The Winter season is best known for cold temperatures and chapped lips. Chapped lips can be painful due to dryness, cracking, flaking, tenderness, itchiness, and soreness. These are all common because of poor lip care practices.
Cold weather may not be the only reason your lips are chapping. Chapped lips can occur anytime throughout the year. Here are some other possible reasons this may happen to you.
Allergic reactions: Lip care products that contain fragrance, harsh chemicals, and flavor may be the cause of chapped lips. There are even some medications that have chapped lips as a side effect to them. Be sure to read all the side effects and ask your doctor with any concerns. Another product that can cause an allergic reaction is toothpaste. Guaiazulene, contained in toothpaste, can cause allergic reactions to the lips and other oral cavities.
Vitamin Deficiency:
B-complex vitamins support the skin and lips. Many foods contain this vitamin but could be disrupted when the food is overcooked or with alcohol consumption. Those with a weak digestive track may show more chapped lips because the body has a harder time absorbing vitamins and minerals. On the other hand, taking too much vitamin A supplements can lead to dry or cracked lips.
Dehydration: Dehydration is one of the most prevalent causes of chapped lips. Professionals say humans should drinks at least eight glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration. It is more important for athletes due to the amount of water that may leave their body during activity.
Excessive licking of lips: Licking your lips can cause them to be more dehydrated than they may already be. The saliva on your lips evaporates with any other moisture that your lips have. This is why it is essential to use a lip balm instead of spit.
Medical Conditions: There are some medical conditions where dry lips are a symptom of the disease. Some examples are psoriasis, thyroid disease, Down’s syndrome, and diabetes. Some conditions make your skin more sensitive to the sun, making your lips even more chapped.
Smoking/Alcohol consumption: Tobacco smoke can cause dryness of lips. There is an increased chance of lip infections for those who do smoke. Chapped lips can also occur when there is an excessive consumption of alcohol caused by dehydration.
There are various ways to rid of your chapped lips. They include:
- Avoiding foods and products that trigger allergic reactions
- Moisturize lips regularly
- Drink lots of water
- Use a humidifier at night
- Avoid picking and licking your lips
- Have a balanced diet
- Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
Using a lip balm is the most traditional way to cure chapped lips. Safetec manufactures a pomegranate flavored lip balm. It contains Vitamin E, Bees Wax, and other natural emollients that are used to help soothe and hydrate dry lips.
References:
https://www.healtreatcure.org/lip/severe-chapped-lips-corners-mouth-kids-remedy/