Chapped Lips: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Chapped lips are a common problem that can affect people of all ages. They are caused by a loss of moisture from the lips, which can lead to dryness, cracking, and even bleeding.
There are many things that can cause chapped lips, including:
Exposure to cold weather: The cold air can dry out the lips, making them more susceptible to chapping. Opens in a new window walkindermatology.com Chapped lips due to cold weather
Exposure to wind: The wind can also dry out the lips, making them more prone to chapping. Opens in a new window walkindermatology.com Chapped lips due to wind
Dehydration: When you are dehydrated, your body loses water, including from the lips. This can make the lips dry and chapped. Opens in a new window lipaniskincare.com Chapped lips due to dehydration
Lack of lip balm: Using lip balm can help to keep the lips hydrated and prevent them from chapping.
Certain medications: Some medications, such as antihistamines and diuretics, can cause dry lips as a side effect.
Medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, can also cause dry lips.
The symptoms of chapped lips include:
Dryness: The lips feel dry and may look flaky.
Cracking: The lips may crack, which can be painful.
Bleeding: The lips may bleed if they crack too much.
Discomfort: The lips may feel uncomfortable, especially when they are chapped.
If you have chapped lips, there are a few things you can do to treat them:
Apply lip balm: Lip balm can help to keep the lips hydrated and prevent them from chapping. Opens in a new window www.buzzfeednews.com Lip balm for chapped lips
Drink plenty of fluids: Staying hydrated helps to keep the lips moist.
Avoid licking your lips: Licking your lips can actually make them drier, so it is best to avoid doing this.
Protect your lips from the cold and wind: If you are going to be exposed to cold weather or wind, wear a scarf or hat to protect your lips.
Treat any underlying medical conditions: If you have a medical condition that is causing your chapped lips, treating the underlying condition will help to improve the condition of your lips.
In most cases, chapped lips will go away on their own with simple home treatment. However, if your chapped lips are severe or do not improve with home treatment, you should see a doctor.
Here are some additional tips to prevent chapped lips:
Avoid smoking: Smoking can dry out the lips, so it is best to avoid smoking if you want to prevent chapped lips.
Exfoliate your lips: Exfoliating your lips can help to remove dead skin cells and keep the lips looking healthy. You can use a lip scrub or a toothbrush to exfoliate your lips.
Use a humidifier: A humidifier can add moisture to the air, which can help to keep the lips hydrated.
Eat a healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables can help to keep your lips hydrated.
By following these tips, you can help to prevent chapped lips and keep your lips looking healthy and smooth.