How to Fix Chapped Lips: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

What Are Chapped Lips?

Chapped lips are dry, cracked lips resulting from moisture loss in the thin skin of the lips. The skin on the lips differs from that on other parts of the body because it lacks sebaceous glands. Therefore, it easily dries out.

The external layer of the skin forms a protective covering that helps retain moisture in the lips and protects them from drying out due to wind, sun, cold, and irritants. Once this layer is broken, moisture is lost, hence leading to dryness and cracking of the lips.

Most individuals experience severe chapped lips at some point in their lives. In most cases, the condition can be easily managed with simple home remedies. However, when the condition is recurring or resistant to treatment, it might indicate another underlying disease.

Signs and Symptoms of Chapped Lips

The symptoms can range from mild dryness to painful cracks. Common signs include:

• Lips keep getting dry and rough to the touch.

• Small flakes of skin appear on the lips.

• Skin starts to peel off in patches.

• Lips feel tight, especially when talking or smiling.

• Small or deep cracks develop on the lips.

• Cracks may bleed, especially if they are severe.

• A burning or stinging feeling may be noticed.

• Lips become sore and may hurt while eating, drinking, or smiling.

What Causes Chapped Lips?

There are many factors that compromise lip barrier function and lead to chapped lips.

Some of the most common reasons for this problem are as follows:

• A cold breeze is generally not very humid. So, windy conditions reduce the moisture of the lips.

• Air conditioners, as well as heaters, reduce the humidity inside buildings. Dry indoor air removes moisture from the lips and skin.

• Overexposure to sunlight may dehydrate the lips and damage the thin skin on them.

• Most people think that licking their lips moisturizes them. Actually, this practice results in even drier lips because the saliva dries out fast.

• Insufficient fluid intake causes dehydration, which means reduced moisture throughout the body, including the lips.

• Certain lipsticks, lip balms, toothpaste, or skincare products may contain irritants that cause lip reddening and flaking.

• Some medications cause lip dryness as a side effect.

• A lack of vitamins B, iron, and zinc affects skin health and healing.

• Conditions like eczema cause dryness, irritation, and cracking of the lips.

• Mouth breathing during sleep also dries the lips.

• Bacterial or fungal infections can cause painful cracks, particularly at the corners of the mouth.

How to Fix Chapped Lips?

• Apply a thin layer of lip balm to the lips. It forms a barrier on the lips and provides protection.

• Avoid using fragrant products, as this can irritate the skin.

• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, as it will keep your skin healthy from the inside.

• Do not lick your lips, as this action seems helpful for a moment; it dries the skin further.

• Use lip balm with sunscreen when going outdoors.

• Flakes that appear after healing should be gently removed.

• Using a humidifier will add moisture to the dry air in your home and prevent your lips from dehydration.

• Stop using products that burn, itch, and turn the lips red.

Best Ingredients That Help Heal Chapped Lips

Ingredients to Avoid While Lips Heal

Some ingredients may feel cooling or refreshing, but they often make chapped lips worse.

Avoid products containing:

• Menthol.

• Camphor.

• Phenol.

• Cinnamon flavoring.

• Peppermint.

• Salicylic acid.

• Fragrances.

• Strong exfoliating ingredients.

Home Remedies for Chapped Lips

Home remedies for chapped lips are as follows:

• Petroleum Jelly: Petroleum jelly creates a barrier that actually locks in moisture on the lips. It will work best when you apply it four to five times daily and before bedtime.

• Coconut Oil: Coconut oil helps moisturize cracked lips and reduce inflammation in milder cases. However, it is not helpful for very cracked lips.

• Honey: Honey has moisturizing properties. It heals the affected area.

• Aloe Vera: Fresh aloe vera gel is known to have soothing effects on irritated lips. Only those aloe vera products that are safe for topical use and fragrance-free should be used.

• Using a Humidifier: A humidifier increases the moisture level in indoor air and helps prevent overnight dryness of the lips.

• Proper Hydration: Adequate fluid intake throughout the day helps maintain healthy skin and reduce dryness.

How Long Does It Take for Chapped Lips to Heal?

Why Do My Lips Keep Getting Chapped?

In cases where chapped lips recur, the problem may be that the underlying cause was not addressed.

Some causes include:

• Continuous exposure to cold or dry weather.

• Repeatedly biting and licking the lips.

• Allergy from lip products or from any toothpaste.

• Lack of vitamins and minerals.

• Skin ailments like eczema.

• Side effects of a few medicines.

Chapped Lips in Different Situations

• Winter: Cold weather, dry air, and strong winds in winter can make lips dry and cracked.

• Summer: High exposure to sunlight, high temperatures, and dehydration are major causes of dry lips.

• Children: It is common for children to lick their lips whenever they are dry. This results in constant irritation and chapping of the lips.

• Pregnancy: Dry lips can occur in pregnant women due to hormonal imbalances, dehydration, or morning sickness.

• Older People: With age comes reduced skin moisture. Also, older patients could be taking medications that cause dryness.

Can Chapped Lips Be a Sign of Another Medical Condition?

Dryness of the lips is not always a matter of the skin alone; sometimes it can also be a symptom of another medical condition, particularly when it does not respond to routine treatments.

Some of the possible medical causes may be:

• Deficiency of vitamin B.

• Deficiency of iron.

• Deficiency of zinc.

• Eczema.

• Contact dermatitis.

• Angular cheilitis (cracks at the corners of the mouth).

• Sjögren’s syndrome (an autoimmune disease causing dryness).

• Diabetes.

• Dehydration.

When Should You See a Doctor?

There are some situations where professional help should be sought out, however, including:

• Failure for bleeding to stop.

• Cracking lasts longer than two to three weeks.

• Fevers in combination with lip complaints.

• Severe swelling.

• Presence of pus or infection.

• Soreness develops only on one side of the lip and doesn’t heal.

• Repeated serious cracking.

• Mouth ulcers.

How to Prevent Chapped Lips?

Our patient has asked, How can one get rid of dry, swollen, itchy, and chapped lips? Good practices can help reduce the risk of dry, chapped lips.

• Use scent-free lip balms if your lips are sensitive.

• Consume an adequate amount of water each day.

• Do not lick or bite your lips.

• Keep your lips protected from strong sunlight with a lip balm that offers UV protection.

• Use a humidifier during dry days.

• Avoid products containing irritating substances.

• Wear a scarf over the mouth on cold, windy days.

Conclusion

Chapped lips are a prevalent but generally treatable condition. They mainly occur due to lip dehydration from weather, dehydration, or irritation from specific products. Applying lip balm and properly hydrating the body may help with faster healing of the condition. However, if the condition persists or does not improve even after a few weeks, it is necessary to seek medical advice to determine the possible causes. Consult a skin specialist if you have any questions about chapped lips.

Key Takeaways

• Chapped lips result from moisture loss and impairment of the natural lip protection mechanism.

• Usually, most people get better with a moisturizing lip balm, proper hydration, and avoiding behaviors such as licking their lips.

• Substances like petrolatum, ceramides, shea butter, and glycerin help protect and repair the lips, but substances like menthol and strong exfoliating agents can contribute to dryness.

• Persistent chapped lips may be associated with an allergic reaction, a vitamin deficiency, certain medications, or a medical problem.

• If the lips remain cracked for more than two to three weeks, or if there is an infection with persistent ulcers, see your doctor.