Cracked Lips - Symptoms, Causes, Prevention , Remedies and Care...!

Cracked and dry lips are mainly  cause of dehydrated in  lips is due to lack in level of water intake. Usually a result of dryness in the skin of the lips may also peel off in some cases. When the lips become too dry, tiny tears may appear on the surface and this can lead to bleeding and considerable discomfort. Breathing through the mouth can also cause your lips to become dry.

 In some cases, certain mild health conditions such as a common cold, nutritional deficiencies, allergies and dehydration may cause the lips to become dry and cracked. Under the rarest of circumstances, cracked, and dry lips may require medical care. This mainly occurs when the body is severely dehydrated. If the condition is accompanied by other symptoms such as confusion, cold skin and lethargy, it would be a good idea to seek medical attention.

Symptoms of Cracked Dry Lips

The lips are so prone to cracking and dryness because the skin is very thin and does not have any protective hair growth. There are also no sweat or oil glands present beneath the surface. Therefore the lips are stripped of moisture much faster than other areas of the body. The common signs and symptoms of cracked lips include:

Dryness

Redness

Pain or tenderness

Rough skin

Bleeding

Peeling and flaking

Over sensitivity

Causes of Cracked Dry Lips

When the lips are chapped or dry do not attempt to lick them, this will make you feel better only for short time. Once the saliva evaporates the condition will worsen. Your lips could be in problem because of your ill-fitting dentures, in such case consult your dentist. In severe cases, where there is excessive cracking, dryness and redness, one can use a medicated lip balm. 

It is best to avoid using flavored chap sticks and balms as this could induce frequent licking. One can also protect the lips from sun exposure and cold, dry winds by covering the mouth with a scarf when going outdoors. In some cases, the condition may worsen so much that bleeding may also occur. In such cases, one must consult a doctor. Prescription lip balms may then be used to treat the condition.

The lips may become chapped and dry due to various factors. Most cases of chapped lips are due to the following:

1. Exposure to harsh winds
2. Sunburn
3. Dehydration
4. Smoking
5. Exposure to harsh chemicals contained in soaps and other skin care products
6. Intake of certain strong medications such as those which help to treat acne
7. Exposure to allergens present in the environment, foods, cosmetics and skin care products
8. Deficiencies of the vitamins A, B and C
9. Wearing dentures that do not fit properly
10. Fungal infection known as angular cheilitis which results due to deficiencies of iron, zinc and the vitamins A and B. It results in cracking at the corners of the mouth.

Prevention for Cracked Dry Lips

Cracked dry lips can be managed through a range of different treatments. Some important tips to care for chapped lips and prevent the condition from worsening are as follows:

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 foryour cracked 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 cracked 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. Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera gel is well known for its soothing and cooling properties. Aloe Vera is rich in some polyphenolic compounds which is more helpful remove dark lips fast. The affected lips from the sunburn, windburn, cold sores or smoking can be treated well with aloe vera gel. Aloe Vera also makes the lips rejuvenated and healthy with its potent nutrients.

Recipe: 1  using Aloe Vera Gel

•  Put some aloe Vera gel on the lips and give some minutes to dry it.
• Then rinse off your lips and use a lip balm. You can do it daily just once.
• In winter, you can use it 3 times a week to protect dryness or chapping.

2. Sugar

Brown sugar  is a very common home remedy for lip care. It is mainly used to exfoliate dry lips naturally. The dry air, cold weather, or smoking makes your lips dead, pale or dull. Sugar scrubbing reveals out the hidden skin that looks fresher. And it will restore the natural color of your lips.

Recipe :1  using  brown sugar

• Mix some sugar with some cold cream, and rub your lips with this paste for 40 seconds.
• Continue it once or twice a week.

Recipe :2  using  brown sugar and butter

• make a scrub with two tablespoons of butter and three tablespoons of sugar.
• Rub and exfoliate your lips gently with this mixer.
• Then wash your lips off with clean water. Repeat it 2-3 times a week.

Recipe :3  using  brown sugar  honey and olive oil

•  you can mix one teaspoon of honey, one teaspoon of olive oil and one teaspoon of sugar altogether.
•  Before sleeping at night, just scrub your lips with it for 40 seconds.

3. Berries

Berries are rich in essential vitamins and minerals that raise your skin up. Especially the strawberries and raspberries are very powerful to make your lips naturally healthy, supple and fuller. If your lips are dark, use the berries to lighten the darkness or discoloration or aging signs.

Recipe :1  using strawberry Juice: 

• Make a natural lip balm by mixing two tablespoons of petroleum jelly with one tablespoon of strawberry paste.
• Apply this balm on your lips twice a day. It will be helpful both for dry and chapped lips.

Recipe :2  using  Raspberry Mask:

•  Raspberry is one of the best home remedies to make the lips pink and also hydrate the lips. Crush two fresh raspberries and mix it with one teaspoon Aloe Vera and one teaspoon honey.
• Then prepare a lip mask. Now coat your lips with this mask and let it stay for 8 minutes.
•  Then wash your lips off with clean water. Repeat it 2-3 times a week.

4. Olive Oil

Olive oil is a great natural ingredient to take care of your lips. By regular massaging with olive oil, your lips will get an alive, lightens, softens, and makes the lips healthy vibrant and fresh look. Olive oil is rich in natural moisturizers and nutrients. Follow this daily and you will have super soft lips.

Recipe: 1 using olive oil

• Take a half teaspoon of brown sugar and a few drops of olive oil, and mix them well.
• Massage your lips with olive oil for several minutes to exfoliate your lips with this mixer.
• Do it not more than twice a week.
• It eradicates the dead skin cells and unlocks the natural color of your 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.