Chapped lips - Symptoms, Causes, Prevention , Remedies and Care...!

Chapping lips are rarely a serious problem  and can occur almost in any season mainly in the season of winter, probably  because cold-dry air and dehydration. But, many things associated with winter may cause your lips dry, chapped or sore. For not using a good ointment, not taking properlip care, using random lipstick, sun rays, movement in snow areas or the gusty wind of beach. 

Even the central heater is drying your lips out continuously. so instead of swiping on another layer of lip balm, pour yourself a tall glass of water instead and tackle problem from the inside out. And then Try exfoliating and moisturizing your lips. Those who have a habit of constantly licking the lips may also develop chapped lips.

It is very easy to care for chapped and dry lips and there’s a lot that you can do to reduce the severity of the problem, such as increasing water intake, avoiding cold or sun exposure and using simple home remedies.

So, what you should do to prevent chapped lips in this winter.

Symptoms of Chapped Lips

Chapped lips are 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 chapped lips with simple treatment and preventive measures. If your lips continue to be severely dry and chapped, you should consider making an appointment with a dermatologist

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

Causes of 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.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.

Prevention fro Chapped Lips

Find out your reasons that are chapping your lips. And inhibit them. Simply you will get dry free lips throughout the winter. See below how to prevent chapped by avoiding and forbidding some harsh elements

Take Lots of Water and Fluids

“Drink plenty of water daily”

I know it is not summer, but your body and skin need water equally in all seasons Water hydrates the skin inside out, by taking out the wastes and toxins from your body that freshens up your skin. I personally drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.

    There is no alternative way to intake by  having other watery fruits which are rich in watery juice, like pineapples, watermelons, etc.

Apply Sunscreen on Your Lips

“Apply sunscreen over your lips whenever you step outdoors to protect from sun damage”

If you need to go in the sun rays, don’t forget to wear sunscreen for lips. The SPF rich products, like lip balms, lotion or another cosmetic you can use on your lips. But, the balms with SPF protection are a good match to protect the lips from the UVA/UVB sun rays. Apply lip balm before 20 minutes of heading out. You can also reapply when it fades away or you feel dryness on the lips. Use minimum SPF 15 sunscreen, more is better.

Moisturize Your Lips

“Apply a good moisturizer which contains beneficial ingredients that help to moisturize and nourish the lips. Ensure that your lip balm also contains sunscreen.”

·       natural lip balm

The best way to prevent your lips in winter is to moisturize them again and again because the air is drier in winter than any other season. Use a natural lip balm to hydrate your lips. Keep a lip balm in your pocket or purse so that you can reapply it frequently. The sun is also harmful in winter to burn your lips or skin. The dry air, snow or beach weather is harsh. 

Before sleeping at night, coat your dry lips with your loving ointment. It protects and moisturizes your lips while you are taking sleep in the central heater that causes drier lips.

·       Vaseline

You can apply Vaseline. It is a very popular remedy to prevent and treat dry lips. At night coat your lips thickly with Vaseline. It keeps the skin safe, protected and hydrated. You can also put Vaseline on your dry knees, elbows, hands or feet. Vaseline is more healing to treat dry, cracked lips.

Don’t Lick, Peel, or Bite Your Lips

“Refrain from licking the lips often as this can aggravate dryness”

It is really tempting to lick or bite dry lip skin. When you bite the skin, it can cause bleeding. The licking puts the saliva on your lips that break down the thinner skin more. All that leads your lips to a worse state.

Take A Humidifier

“If you are prone to dry skin and lips, it is a good idea to use a humidifier to add moisture to the air”

 If you have not, you must buy a humidifier as it keeps the air of indoors moisturizing. But, don’t charge your humidifier more than 50% temperature. The more temperature may dampen your places, which finally cause bacteria and microorganisms. If your office has not set up there also a humidifier.

Cover Your Face

“Protect the lips with a scarf when there are harsh winds”

A scarf or hoodie, coats are very helpful to inhibit the air to your facial skin directly. You can put a warm scarf around your face. It holds the moisture to the skin and forbids the wind entering your face or keep it in your portable bag that you can use in necessity.

Be Careful about Toothpaste

“Try changing your toothpaste brand when you feel dry or chapped or sun burnt lips to alleviate the problem.”

Sometimes the lips may become dry and chapped due to the ingredients present in toothpaste. Try changing your toothpaste brand to alleviate the problem.

Be Careful about Lipstick

“Avoid using lipsticks and other lip cosmetics which contain strong chemicals. Always buy such products from reputed brands and check their expiry date”

It is rare to go outdoors without lipstick. Try to avoid matte finish lipstick shade in the cold days, because a matte color is slightly dry. You can take moisturizing lipsticks It lets your lipstick stay longer by moisturizing the lips. . It will be best to take less lipstick in winter.

Note :Be careful about the dyes of lipstick as it may cause irritation to the skin

Stay Indoors

“Move Less in the Sun, if not necessary. The less sun exposure, the less skin irritation on face and lips”

If it is not necessary, don’t go outside. The bitter or windy weather is the main reason to dry out your lips. So, if you can avoid them, your lips must be safe. And, while staying inside, take proper prevention for your lips. Indoor exercise is healthy for both skin and body. Wearing a hat may be necessary as this will protect your face and lip from direct sunlight exposure

Apply Oil To Lips

“Apply oil  so that it helps to regenerates the cells of the skin and prevents the scarring.”

·       Natural oil

You can apply natural oils on your lips. Coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, Shea butter or jojoba oil is hydrating for lips. At morning, I get fuller, suppler and more moisturized lips. And it takes the lips hydrated on the whole day.

·       Vitamin E

Essential oils are also effective for lips. These oils not only moisturize your lips but also add an extra glamor onto your pout. Then leave a few drops of oil on the lips throughout the night. Thus, it will heal your lips. This

Take Medication

“Take Vitamin B, Fatty Acids, and Irons”

·       Take multivitamins

Lack of vitamin B, omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients or irons causes dry skin. In winter, they are liable to cause peeling, chapped or cracked lips. So, take plenty of fatty acids, multivitamins or irons as soon as the onset of winter. But, don’t take without your doctor’s consultation. Eat lots of healthy foods. All that help you to prevent your lips from chapping.

·       Ointments

If your lips are more damaged by the sun rays, Aquaphor ointment or  hydrocortisone 1% ointment can be used on the corners of your lips , if so dont apply it, be careful not to lick your lips excessively. Apply these medicines twice a day for 3 days. It will cure your sunburned lips too. These ointments also hydrate and moisturize the skin. Be careful, don’t the ointments go into the mouth.

Don’t Breath from Your Mouth

“Avoid Mouth breathing as it  result in low oxygen concentration in the blood and dry lips”

Many people have habits to take a breath from the mouth. It creates airflow around the mouth. Ultimately, it sucks out the moisture of your lips and leaves them dry. If it is your disease, you should go to a doctor. Or try to avoid this habit. And take the breath from your nose.

Scrub Your Lips

“Scrubbing is a suitable way to remove the dead, dry or cracking skin cells of the lips. Exfoliate your lips once or twice a week. It keeps the lips plain and even”

Use homemade scrub to your lips. Then rub and massage your lips for 10 seconds, and leave the scrub over the lips for 5 minutes. It reduces the dry cells and hydrates the skin. Turns the skin hydrated, but also makes the lips healthy and prevents the germs. I don’t support toothbrush to exfoliate lips, though many use this technique. I tried it a few times, but the toothbrush leaves my lips painful, irritating and unpleasing.

Don’t Take Some Foods

“Spicy food must be also avoided while you wait for blister to heal. These food contain some chemical that can worsen your condition and make skin more sensitive.”

I am exactly telling about the salty, spicy or hot foods. The lip skin is very sensitive. The lips may be inflamed up by the touch of these kinds of foods. They may irritate your skin. If you are taking remedies for your chapped lips, it is wiser to avoid taking hot, spicy or salty foods. Drink less hot coffee or tea. After eating or drinking, don’t forget to dab a lip balm.

Or you can apply balm before eating. It prevents the foods to the skin cells. Thus, you can have better smooth and soft lips in winter. Try to avoid alcohol and smoking in winter. It is beneficial for overall health and skin.

Medical Attention From Doctor

On other hand if the blister are too large or  if the blister have not healed after a week or two , you should consult your dermatologist or family doctor, don’t attempt to drain it yourself

Avoid Following

·       And avoid touching the irritated lips  with your dirty hands

·       Now pop the blisters no matter how high the temptation is if you do pop them out further infection may arise aggravating your condition

·       It also avoid warm or hot bath while you still have  irritated lips.

Home Remedies for Chapped Lips

There are some powerful home remedies to treat the sunburned lips, like potatoes, cucumber, ice cubes, etc. Natural treatments have no side effects and make the lips healthier. See how to treat sunburned lips in natural ways

1. Honey

Honey  is the best home remedy for lip care as it is being greatest natural moisturizers for skin . It has a natural humectants for skin and also lightens the dark patches, dark spots, wrinkles, sunburns, tan, hyper pigmentation, aging lines of the lip skin.

Antibacterial, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory in  property, honey turns the skin healthy, softens, and soothes the skin. Honey also gives a hint of brightness on your lips.  Read all the ways of honey for lip care..

Recipe: 1 using raw honey

• Put some fresh honey onto the lips and rub it softly with fingertips for 2 minutes
• Then let the honey sit on the lips overnight.
• Rinse off the lips at morning and apply a lip balm. You can do it three times a week before sleeping
•  Repeating it several times a day for regular basis will give you pink lips.

1. Beetroot

Beetroot is an amazing home remedy  for you to turn your dark lips to pink. It has some bleaching and moisturizing properties having great reddish color.

After using it, beetroot leaves its rosy color on your lips that stays for hours. And your lips will be permanently reddish and soft lips as iIt doesn’t only break down the hyper-pigmentation from the but also offer reddish tone on the lips.

Recipe :1  using beetroot juice

• Massage your lips with some fresh beetroot juice for a few minutes at night.
•  Do it daily. In 2-3 weeks your lips have a pinkish coloration.
•  It turns the discolored lips instantly bright and reddish.

Recipe :2  using  beetroot juice and carrot juice

• mix equal amount of beetroot juice and carrot juice.
•  Rub your lips with this combination and leave them for 8 minutes.
• Then wash your lips off with lukewarm water.
• apply them on the lips throughout the night. In the morning, wash off your lips and see your moisturized reddish lips.

Recipe :2  using beetroot slice

• Slice a beet root into a few pieces. Take them into refrigerator.
• When you get free time, just apply and massage your dark lips with a cooling juicy slice of beet root. It gets rid of tanning and pigmentation from the lips that consequently lightens your lips.
• Try to slightly rub the lips with a slice before going out. You can follow it daily once. It will add a nice rosy color to the lips.

Suggestion to care your Lips

`We have seen symptoms, causes and prevention with some homemade remedies. And also I have separately discussed some more remedies in below link. So see that too in the link here

Homemaderemedies to care your lips

Diet for Pretty Pink Lips

              Much like the skin on the rest of the body, the lips also must be kept hydrated. Here are some dietary tips which help in relieving irritated lips.

• Ensure an adequate intake of water and other fluids on a daily basis.
• Follow a healthy and balanced diet comprising of a variety of different foods. The body requires a steady supply of several vitamins and minerals in order to stay healthy. Consume lots of fresh fruits and vegetables as these are rich in antioxidants. This helps to protect the body from the adverse effects of free radicals which affect the cells. In case you are unable to obtain all your nutrients from the diet, speak to your doctor regarding the intake of nutritional supplements.
• Vitamin A is an especially important vitamin for good health of the skin as it helps in repair and maintenance. You can obtain vitamin A from foods such as milk, apricots, carrots and milk.
• Vitamin C which is contained in citrus fruits and several vegetables helps to protect the body from sun damage and also aids in tissue repair. Vitamin C even increases collagen production and this makes the lips fuller and suppler.
• Nuts, leafy vegetables and eggs contain high amounts of vitamin E which helps to prevent lines and wrinkles. Ageing can also cause dryness of the lips and hence it is important to supply your body with adequate amounts of this vitamin. Vitamin E is also present in many skin care products.