How to prevent and treat dry, chapped lips
- Choose non-irritating lip products.
- Apply lip balm throughout the day and before you go to bed.
- Protect your lips outdoors.
- Keep your skin hydrated.
- Stop licking, biting, or picking at your lips.
- Avoid holding metal items with your lips.
What deficiency causes dry lips?
B vitamins
Chapped lips are a common symptom of deficiencies, especially in folate (vitamin B9), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and vitamins B6 and B12 ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ).
How do I get rid of extremely dry lips?
Apply a non-irritating lip balm (or lip moisturizer) several times a day and before bed. If your lips are very dry and cracked, try a thick ointment, such as white petroleum jelly. Ointment seals in water longer than waxes or oils. Slather on a non-irritating lip balm with SPF 30 or higher before going outdoors.
What causes extremely dry lips?
Chapped lips are the result of dry, cracked skin on your lips due to cold or dry weather, sun exposure, frequently licking your lips or dehydration. You can treat chapped lips at home with the use of lip balm or ointment to ease any discomfort.
Chapped lips can be treated at home by:
- Staying hydrated.
- Using lip balm or ointment as needed throughout the day.
- Applying lip balm with sunscreen when outdoors.
- Avoiding licking, picking or biting at your lips.
- Keeping foreign objects away from your mouth (pens, jewelry, metal objects).
- Using a humidifier.
Why won’t my chapped lips heal?
See a dermatologist if your problem persists. Chapping that doesn’t heal, despite regular use of lip balm, can be a sign of infection or a more serious problem, like cancer or a precancerous condition called actinic cheilitis.
What are extremely dry lips a symptom of?
Chapped lips are typically caused by environmental exposures that lead to irritation, including saliva and licking your lips, spicy foods, and cold, dry weather, says Dr. Zeichner. The common cold and sun damage can also cause chapped lips, he adds, as well as medication like cholesterol-lowering agent.
When should I be concerned about dry lips?
Chronic chapped lips that won’t heal could be a sign of serious medical conditions or infections, which include actinic cheilitis, an early form of skin cancer that requires immediate treatment.
How do you fix super dry lips?
“Apply occlusive and emollient ointments liberally throughout the day to help prevent and treat chapped lips, especially before bed. We tend to lose the most heat and moisture from our skin overnight,” said Marchbein.
Treatment and Prevention of Chapped Lips
- Use lip balm. A good balm can buffer your delicate lip skin from the elements.
- Apply early and often.
- Protect your lips when you’re outside.
- Drink up.
- Use a humidifier indoors.
- Don’t lick your lips.
- Don’t peel or bite flaky skin.
- Don’t exfoliate.
Related Conditions and Causes of Chapped Lips
- Eczema.
- Lichen planus.
- Lupus erythematosus.
- Autoimmune bullous diseases.
- Crohn’s disease.
- Sarcoidosis.
- Certain nutritional deficiencies (1,2)
What vitamin deficiency causes dry skin and lips?
Vitamin B-3 Without enough vitamin B-3 or niacin, a person may experience dry, cracked lips or tongue and a red, swollen mouth. A deficiency of this vitamin can also lead to dermatitis. People can get niacin in their diet by eating beef, pork, halibut, tuna, poultry, whole grains, dairy, and green leafy vegetables.
Are dry lips a symptom of anything?
Your chapped lips could be caused by something aside from dry weather. An allergic reaction, yeast infection, or something more serious can make your lips feel dry and uncomfortable. Actinic cheilitis is a precancerous condition that turns one or both lips dry and scaly.
Can iron deficiency cause dry lips?
Cracked Lips:
It is common to have cracked or dry lips during winters or with a habit of licking the lips frequently. But, people who lack enough iron can suffer from a specific type of cracking called “Angular Cheilitis” that affects the corners of the mouth. This makes it difficult to eat, smile or even talk.