Chapped Lips: Prevention and Treatment

Cheilitis, the term for lips that are red and sore, is most often caused by external factors such as the weather elements, dry air, or even frequent licking of the lips. Sometimes, though, if the condition continues unabated after treatment with healing lip balms, the condition is a symptom of something else going on in your body.

Standard Lip Care

Chapped lips is a condition that can occur during any season of the year, but is more prevalent in the winter months due to the effects of cold air outside and dry air inside. The number 1 recommendation by dermatologists to prevent and treat common cheilitis is the regular use of a lip balm that contains a sunscreen with an SPF factor of at least 15. Another suggested chapped lip treatment is the application of a dab of petroleum jelly to your lips before going to bed.

Your lips don't have oil glands to aid them in self-moisturizing, so steps you take to prevent and treat chapped lips will be those things that prevent loss of moisture to them. Add moisture to your home with use of a humidifier or keep a pot of water simmering on the stove to provide added moisture. Protect your lips from cold and windy conditions by keeping your face covered when outside in these conditions.

Taking care of the inside of your body will also aid the outside. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids in order to maintain adequate hydration. Avoid mouth breathing because this tends to dry the lips.

Avoid licking your lips; this habit leads to drying of lip skin and promotes chapping.

When to Consult Dermatologist

Short intervals of cheilitis that respond to treatment with protective lip balm are generally not a cause of concern. If your chapped lips become cracked or swollen and lip balm treatment doesn't produce healing, you should consult your health care provider. There can be a number of underlying conditions of which chapped and/or cracked lips may be a symptom including allergy, iron deficiency, food, medication, infection and some chronic conditions of other parts of the body.

Treatment for these conditions beyond everyday chapped lips will depend in part on the cause.

Sources: Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.; "Chapped Lips: What's the Best Remedy?"; MayoClinic.com
"Chapped Lips"; MedlinePlus
"Cheilitis"; DermNet NZ