What Are the Causes of Chapped Lips?

When you think of lips, the things that come to mind are kisses, smiles and laughter. But when your lips are not feeling too well and they become chapped, those images quickly fade. In their place is the embarrassing, sometimes painful, dry skin that keeps your smiles, kisses and laughter nonexistent. While chapped lips may be annoying, there are some surprising factors that could transform your rough, sandy lips to that brilliant smile you once knew.

Facts

Cheilitis, also known as chapped lips, is an inflammation of the lips. Once the lips are inflamed they become irritated, causing small cracks on the skin. The combination of these two conditions creates the universally hated chapped lips. Most of the time having cheilitis is more of a visual discomfort, rather than a serious medical problem. However, if you are feeling really uncomfortable and want to eliminate the inflammation, a dermatologist is the specialist to see. Depending on the condition of your lips, a dermatologist will prescribe a topical medicine. You should make sure to inform your dermatologist of any known allergies because certain prescribed medicines may contain ingredients that could cause more inflammation and prolong the condition.

Prevention/Solution

If you dread going to the dermatologist, but want to get rid of the irritation, there are a few things you can do at home. One thing that has an effect on your lips is the different foods you eat. Maintaining a healthy diet will assist in keeping the skin on your lips having the correct balance of moisture. Spicy foods may be something you crave, but try to limit your consumption. The hot ingredients can irritate your mouth and cause dryness.

Along with food, your environment also plays a role in developing chapped lips. People who live in cold or dry locations are always more prone to having chapped lips. While you can't change where you live you can protect yourself against these conditions with a lip ointment. You want a lubricant for the lips that has petroleum or wax. Applying this on your lips will protect them from the cold or dry weather.

The easiest suggestion to follow in preventing cheilitis is not licking your lips. Dermatologist have coined people who do this the lip lickers. You may find it relieving for the moment to lick your lips, but it is only for that moment. The saliva has digestive enzymes which irritate the skin and make matters worse.

Identification

While the pain of chapped lips is something that in most cases can be treated at home, there are certain situations that call for treatment by a dermatologist. Perleche, also known as, angular cheilitis is a yeast fungus found in the corner of the mouth. Perleche, a more severe form of chapped lips, feels like a sore and tends to be painful. Since the skin in the corner of your mouth is extremely thin, any slight movement will stretch the broken skin and create an irritating, burning sensation. This extreme type of chapped lips is usually medicated with a topical steroid.

Misconceptions

If you go to any drug store or flip through a magazine, you will see tons of different advertisements for the fruitiest, most colorful lip balms that claim to help sooth and rid you of the problem. This is, however, not the best choice to make. All those extra ingredients actually can add to the irritation. It is better to purchase a plain ointment with Vaseline, wax or petroleum. The extra flavors may look and smell great, but really are counter productive. Another myth that does not work is brushing your lips with a toothbrush--in essence exfoliating your lips. While this may seem like a smart idea, it is only a temporary fix. This will only make things worse and possibly prolong the problem. Brushing your lips with a toothbrush causes your skin to be irritated and takes away the natural oils that help moisturize them. It is better to leave the toothbrush for your teeth and away from your lips.

Warning

Age is most important factor in understanding if cheilitis could be a sign of something more serious. Adults over the age of 60 should pay attention to a perpetual tendency for chapped lips. If their lips are dry, or have white spots or fissures, this could be a sign of actinic cheilitis. Actinic cheilitis is the beginning indication of a precancerous condition. This condition is triggered from too much exposure to the sun causing sun damage. Less than 10 percent of patients who are diagnosed with actinic chelitis actually go on to develop cancer. However, it is important to use lip balms that protect against the hazardous rays of the sun in order to decrease the chances of developing this condition.

References

• John Romano, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Well Cornell Medicine
• Eric Schweiger Board certificed Dermatologist
• Burfeind, Daniel B (2007). "Oral Update: Giving More than Lip Service to Common and Uncommon Lip and Mouth Problems". Dermatology Nursing 19(2): 215-217.

Resources

• Levine, Norman (2006). "Lower Lip Exhibits Shiny, White, Lesions". Geriatrics 60(6): 20.
• Newburger, Amy; Sander, Staci Ann (2001). "Weatherproof Your Lips". Prevention 53(12): 91.