What Causes Chapped Lips?

 

Chapped, or cracked, lips is the term commonly used to describe dry lips. Chapped lips can be caused by a number of factors, including the weather, excessive licking of the lips,

and certain medications.

Chapped lips is a very common condition that only occurs occasionally for most people. However, some people may develop a more severe form of chapped lips called cheilitis. Cheilitis, which can be caused by an infection, is characterized by cracked skin at the corners of the lips.

You can usually treat your dry lips with simple treatment and preventive measures. If your lips continue to be severely dry and cracked, you should consider making an appointment with a dermatologist.

Symptoms of Chapped Lips

You may experience any of the following common symptoms on and/or around your lips if you have chapped lips:

• dryness
• flaking
• scales
• sores
• swelling
• cracks
• bleeding

What Causes Chapped Lips?

Lips don’t contain oil glands like other parts of the skin. For this reason, the lips are more susceptible to drying out and becoming chapped (cracked). Lack of moisture can make the problem worse, whether it’s weather-induced or related to a lack of self-care. Lack of humidity in the air during the winter months is known to cause chapped lips. Frequent sun exposure in the summer can also worsen your condition.

Another common cause of chapped lips is habitual licking. Saliva from the tongue can further strip the lips of moisture, causing more dryness.

Risk Factors for Chapped Lips

People of all ages and genders can get chapped lips, particularly if they have dry skin.
Taking certain medications can also increase your risk of developing chapped lips. Medications and supplements that can cause chapped lips in some people include:

• vitamin A
• retinoids (Retin-A, Differin)
• lithium (commonly used to treat bipolar disorder)
• chemotherapy drugs

People who suffer from dehydration and malnutrition are also more likely to have chapped lips than other people. You should call a doctor if either of these are associated with your chapped lips — dehydration and malnutrition are both serious conditions that require immediate medical attention.

When to Seek Medical Treatment

Cheilitis

If the severe dryness and cracking doesn’t improve with self-care measures, you should see a dermatologist. Cheilitis is often to blame for severely chapped lips. This is a condition marked by cracked skin at the mouth corners, as well as several cracks on your lips.
If you have this condition, your lips may:

• be dark pink or red in color
• have a lumpy texture
• develop ulcers
• have white plaques on the surface

Cheilitis is often attributed to infections and inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn’s disease. Dental trauma and excessive saliva production may also turn a regular case of chapped lips into cheilitis, as bacteria can enter through the cracks and cause an infection. Adults and children who have orthodontic braces, wear dentures, or use pacifiers are all susceptible to developing cheilitis.
A dermatologist can determine whether your dry lips are simply chapped or if you have cheilitis.

Dehydration and Malnutrition

Dry lips can also be caused by dehydration or malnutrition.
Dehydration causes symptoms such as lightheadedness, constipation, decreased urine production, dry mouth, and headache. In severe cases, a person suffering from dehydration may experience low blood pressure, fever, rapid breathing, or a rapid heartbeat.

Malnutrition is characterized by many of the same symptoms as dehydration, but can also cause muscle weakness, decaying teeth, a bloated stomach, and bone fragility. Malnutrition can be caused by vitamin deficiencies, so those on limited diets (for example, vegetarians) need to make sure that they are getting enough of the vitamins they need.

Alcoholics, in particular, are more susceptible to malnutrition due to vitamin deficiencies because excessive alcohol use can interfere with their body’s vitamin absorption. Older adults are also at higher risk for malnutrition because decreased appetite is common among seniors.
If you suspect that you are dehydrated or malnourished, see your doctor immediately.

How to Treat and Prevent Chapped Lips

Chapped lips can usually be treated at home. The first step is to make sure that your lips have enough moisture. This can be accomplished by:

• applying lip balm throughout the day, as needed
• drinking more water
• using a humidifier in the home
• avoiding cold weather conditions or wrapping your mouth with a scarf

Sun exposure can also cause chapped lips, especially as you age. Apply a lip balm that contains a minimum SPF of 15 before heading outdoors. The balm itself helps to moisturize the lips, while the sunscreen minimizes further drying effects.

2 possible conditions for chapped lips

 

Dehydration

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