We also cover prevention and treatment. The skin of the lips is sensitive and easy to irritate through constant touching. People who frequently lick, bite, or pick at their lips may cause the skin to crack. This irritation can make the person want to soothe the lips by touching or licking the area again. This behavior can lead to a cycle of dry, chapped lips. Chapped lips also result from other sources of irritation, such as cold or dry air or too much wind.
Changes in the weather may also lead to cuts in the corners of the lips. A split in this part of the lips can cause a burning sensation and may make even simple actions, such as smiling or chewing, painful because they stretch the sore area.
Injuries are another common cause of a split lip. These may be more likely in people who engage in contact sports, such as football or hockey, though anyone can sustain an injury. The skin on the lips may react to one or more ingredients in certain products, especially those that touch the lips or mouth, such as:.
Anyone who notices symptoms such as inflammation, dryness, or redness after using a new lip product should stop using it. If the symptoms persist, the person can speak to a dermatologist, who may be able to test for certain skin allergies and help the person avoid the products likely to trigger symptoms. The sun may also damage the sensitive skin on the lips and lead to a split lip, although this generally only occurs after prolonged exposure.
Spending long hours under the sun without protection for the lips may lead to inflammation, which could cause pain, dryness, or cracking. The body uses water to keep the skin hydrated. If a person does not have enough liquid in their body, they may start to notice changes in their skin, such as dryness or cracking.
Mild symptoms of dehydration , such as cracked lips, may appear if a person regularly does not drink enough fluids throughout the day. Dehydration can also occur after an illness that causes high fever , diarrhea , or vomiting. Friedman's advice to apply a moisturizing lip balm to combat the side effects. If the peeling gets more severe, a trip to your MD might be worth it to make sure you're not allergic to one of the ingredients.
Do you have an underbite? Or maybe you drool in your sleep? These factors can cause yeast overgrowth and in turn, a yeast infection in the mouth area. This type of infection can lead to dry, flaky skin around the mouth, and sometimes even fissuring when you get small cracks in the corners of the mouth , Dr.
Treat it: Like yeast infections anywhere else, a prescribed anti-fungal medication is your best bet. Talk to a derm. Actinic cheilitis is more common among older individuals. It's this sort of long-term sun damage and inflammation on the lips that can lead to skin cancer. Actinic cheilitis is characterized by dryness and scaly patches or plaques, typically on the lower lip, as mentioned. Treat it: Treating actinic cheilitis involves what's called topical field therapy or photodynamic light therapy to either produce an immune response or kill off damaged skin cells.
But first, your doctor will diagnose you via a skin biopsy. Friedman says, and these are usually accompanied by a similar looking rash around the mouth. Treat it: Through a blood test, your doctor will be able to determine what your exact vitamin deficiency is and prescribe necessary supplements or suggest dietary adjustments if you require them.
An allergic reaction will cause not only peeling, but also a diffused redness and swelling around the lips, Dr. An allergic reaction is usually also itchy, rather than scaly.
This could be caused by ingredients in your makeup, skincare, or even your toothpaste. Irritant contact dermatitis, on the other hand, is caused by friction on the lips, brought on by mental mouth implants like retainers. Treat it: A topical steroid or oral medication will usually do the trick for either issue. Lichen planus is an inflammatory skin condition. It usually shows itself in the form of itchy, purple bumps on the body.
And when it does, it usually shows up as purple or brownish cracked areas on the lips. As a result, they can easily crack and split under certain conditions. Since a split lip can develop gradually, it may be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. Understanding possible reasons can help you determine the best way to treat and prevent future splitting. Common causes include:. Chapped lips is a form of lip inflammation trigged by skin irritation.
Lips can become extremely dry and cracked any time of the year due to environmental factors such as cold weather, dry air, and wind exposure. Angular cheilitis specifically affects the corners of the mouth and can be due to environmental factors and a host of other causes. Exposing unprotected lips to the sun can lead to inflammation. A split lip can also occur after an injury. This includes a blow to the mouth, falling and hitting your mouth, biting your lip, or getting a paper cut.
Sometimes, a split lip is due to an underlying medical problem like dehydration. You can become dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhea, intense sweating, and illness. Dehydration makes it harder for your body to function properly.
Severe dehydration can be life-threatening. Vitamin B includes thiamine, niacin, biotin, folic acid, and riboflavin. These are water-soluble vitamins that play a role in metabolism, provide energy, and help your body fight diseases. Since vitamin B also contributes to healthy skin, a deficiency can cause a variety of skin problems such as acne, split lips, dryness, and rashes. Low levels of zinc and iron can also lead to split lips, especially at the corners of the mouth.
An allergic reaction to lipstick, toothpaste, moisturizers, and any item applied to or around your lips could cause a split lip. Other symptoms could include severe dryness, irritation and itching, or an acute eczema-like rash on the lips. Slather on more at night before you go to sleep. Ointments like coconut oil , cocoa butter , petroleum jelly , and even thick body lotions are good options. Shop for a lip moisturizer online. When paired with the prevention methods above, these two treatments alone can speed the healing of chapped lips.
Chapped lips can get infected, as bacteria can enter through cracks and abrasions. This is known as cheilitis and must be treated by a doctor. We all suffer from dry, chapped lips at some point. And in most cases, careful attention and prevention are the keys to getting your lips looking and feeling better.
If you tend to get…. Chapped lips are a common condition. They can be caused by several factors, including the weather, licking your lips too much, and even taking certain…. These simple expert steps will help keep your lips hydrated, exfoliated, and kissable. Taking care of your lips will help them become hydrated and healthy.
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