How to Treat Chapped Lips

Chapped lips, or cheilitis, is the result of exposure to sun or wind, allergies, dehydration, medications or mouth-breathing, and can plague us any time of the year. Rough, dry lips can crack and split and be difficult to heal. By getting to the root of the problem and tending to your lips at the first sign of dryness, you can head off any serious problems.

Instructions

1. Take preventive measures. Wear a protective lip balm when exposure may chap lips. Slather on lip balm when skiing, sunning or spending time outdoors in cold or windy conditions.

2. Resist the temptation to lick chapped lips to relieve the burn, which dries out the area even more. Carry a lip balm and reapply several times throughout the day.

3. Use a medicated lip balm to soothe and heal cracked or split lips. Consult with the pharmacist about which products work best for specific problems.

4. Choose a natural lip balm instead of one containing a lot of paraffin. Look for ingredients like beeswax, coconut oil and sweet almond oil.

5. Apply lip balm over the lips and extend it to the area just beyond the lip line where irritation is a particular problem. Use a thin coat of balm and cover an area sufficient to provide relief.

6. Wear lip balm under lipstick. Apply a thin layer of lip balm and let it cure on the lips, then apply lip color with a small brush.

7. Consult with a physician if lips split and bleed and have difficulty healing. Discuss possible causes of chapped lips. Get a physician's advice about the best products to use. Be sure to stay well hydrated.