Why do lips dry out - the main reasons and methods of treatment

A little about the structure of lips

Purely functional, these are musculocutaneous folds that cover the entrance to the oral cavity, help to capture food, and also participate in the articulation of speech. But from time immemorial, lips have also performed an aesthetic function, especially for women. Their beauty is sung by poets and captured by artists. They convey a person's emotions to a greater extent than all other parts of the face.

Therefore, when lips dry and crack, it is not only unpleasant, but also not aesthetically pleasing, it is the cause of psychological discomfort.

The lips are covered on the outside with skin, on the side of the oral cavity – with mucous membrane. And the place where the skin transitions into the mucous membrane has a special structure. This is the red border, which we actually call lips. It is covered with a thin non-keratinizing epithelium, through which blood vessels are visible, which causes the red color of this part of the face.

Thus, the lips are deprived of a full-fledged horny epithelium, which would protect them from adverse factors. Sebaceous glands, which provide natural moisture to the skin, are found only in the corners of the mouth. There is no melanin in the skin of the lips, which protects against ultraviolet radiation and photoaging.

Due to the lack of protective factors, this part of the body is so sensitive to various changes both in the environment and within the body.

This is why the condition of dry lips occurs so often. The reasons for this can be divided into groups:

Adverse environmental factors.
Lack of fluid in the body.
Imbalance of some vitamins and microelements.
Infections.
Allergy.
General diseases.

Dry lips in children

What to do if your lips are chapped, how to treat them. Why can lips become chapped?

It would seem that in childhood the body receives all the necessary vitamins, and the skin is fully provided with collagen and does not need additional hydration

However, this is not entirely true, and if a child’s lips are constantly dry or, on the contrary, dryness and flaking suddenly appear, then you should pay special attention to this. Indeed, in addition to the main reasons, cracks on the lips in children also form for the following reasons:

fungal diseases,
difficulty breathing through the nose (with a runny nose or allergies),
lack of important microelements in the body.

To quickly and accurately determine the diagnosis and cause of dry skin, it is better to seek the help of a competent specialist (dermatologist, immunologist-allergist or otolaryngologist).

Effective methods for preventing dry lips

Even if the cause of cracks in the lips is established and it is associated with a specific disease, then it is still better to take a comprehensive approach to restore the health of the skin of the lips. And in addition to treating the underlying disease, it is worth taking a course of vitamins and performing cosmetic procedures to moisturize the skin. For the first two types of treatment, you should consult a doctor, but each girl selects care products individually for herself.

The most beneficial ingredients for healthy skin are:

complex of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K);
components that have an anti-inflammatory effect (chamomile, aloe);
elements that create a protective layer and strengthen the immune system (beeswax, vitamins C, honey);
oils that moisturize the skin in the mouth area well. For example, herbal or essential (sea buckthorn, peach, almond).

Massage

A very effective prevention against cracked lips is massage.
Only it should be carried out during a period when there are no cracks or wounds on the skin. Since there is a risk of infection or further injury to the skin. To massage your lips, you need to use a toothbrush and take a small amount of honey or any vegetable oil (olive, sunflower). By making massage movements, all old keratinized particles are exfoliated and deep hydration occurs thanks to the oil.

Homemade masks

For lip skin prone to constant cracks, it is useful to use homemade masks made from natural products that can be easily purchased at a pharmacy or found at home.

Benefits of natural lip masks:

moisturize;
soften;
nourish;
protect from frost, sun, wind;
give lips a healthier and more attractive appearance.

Honey mask

Honey is a natural nutrient and also moisturizes dry skin. Apply a small amount onto your lips and spread evenly. Keep it on your lips for 5-7 minutes, and then rinse with massage movements with warm water. After such a mask, the skin of your lips will be soft and smooth.

Olive oil

This is the most popular product for the skin of the lips, which has unique properties. Regular application of a thin layer of this oil will allow the skin to recover and acquire a healthy appearance. Since it contains the main component for the beauty and health of the skin - vitamin A.

Meteorological reasons

Cold, heat, wind, low humidity, prolonged solar radiation are common causes of meteorological cheilitis (inflammation of the red border of the lips). Lips become very dry in people who are forced to work outdoors for long periods of time, especially in unfavorable weather conditions. We often use the expression “chapped lips.”

Prevention and treatment of this condition consists of protection from harmful factors, the use of fatty creams or sunscreens.

There is a special form - actinic cheilitis, which occurs in people who spend a long time in the sun. With this form, only the lower lip often dries out; the condition is seasonal (spring-summer) and is combined with other photodermatoses.

Lack of fluid

Dry lips may be the first sign of a lack of water in the body. We drink little and don't even notice it. For the normal functioning of our cells, we need to drink at least 2 liters of clean water per day. This need increases in hot weather.

Lips react to the lack of moisture not only within us, but also in the surrounding air. This is observed during the heating season in our apartments. Therefore, the air in your home needs to be humidified. There are special devices for this. Containers of water placed in the room for natural evaporation are also quite effective.

Diseases

We come to the saddest part - lips crack due to the presence of some disease. What pathology can our symptom be a consequence of?

Herpes;
Dysbacteriosis;
Fungal inflammation;
Weakened immunity, incl. with ARVI;
Diseases of the digestive system;
Decreased hemoglobin levels;
Periodontal disease;
Increased body temperature;
Runny nose;
Dehydration;
Long-term antibiotic therapy.

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Of course, in this case it is not the symptom that needs to be treated, but the cause. Make an appointment with a therapist, take a referral to a specialist, receive a detailed treatment algorithm and follow it exactly. At the same time, sponges can be treated locally - lubricate with hygienic balms, moisturize, drink water.

Difficulty in nasal breathing

Normal breathing for a person is breathing through the nose. If for some reason we begin to breathe only through our mouths, the evaporation of moisture from the mucous membranes of the mouth and lips occurs faster. If it is short-term (a runny nose with a normal ARVI), then there is no need to worry too much.

But there are situations when nasal breathing is difficult for a long time (polyps, chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, deviated nasal septum). In addition to all the other unpleasant consequences of this, the person complains that his mouth and lips are dry. The skin on the lips may crack and the wounds may become infected.

Prevention of cracks

The simplest ways to maintain smooth and attractive lips are:

drinking enough water;
balanced diet;
careful attention to health status;
use of protective equipment;
careful use of antibiotics and other medications;
regular moisturizing care and nourishment of the skin.

To prevent dryness, you can do contrast baths. A cotton pad is alternately dipped in containers with hot and cold water, and applied to the mouth for 2 - 3 seconds. This procedure improves blood circulation.

Men's lips often become dry due to failure to use protective products. Hygienic lipstick must be in the pocket of every representative of the stronger sex. After all, when the skin on the lips dries and peels, there is a risk of penetration of pathogenic bacteria.

Proper nutrition, clean water, high-quality hygienic lipstick and regular care will help you forget dryness forever. If you cannot solve the problem on your own, you should contact a therapist who will explain what to do.

Habit of licking and biting lips

Many people think that licking them more often will keep them moisturized. However, in reality, evaporation of saliva causes even greater dryness. In addition, our saliva contains enzymes that can also harm delicate skin.

If a woman's lips become dry, the cause may be exfoliative cheilitis. This is a chronic inflammation of the red border of the lips in women who like to bite them. It is often observed in people with unstable psyches and neuroses.

In this case, not the entire surface of the red border is affected, but only a narrow band from one corner of the mouth to the other. The lips burn and dry, and scales resembling mica form on them.

Dry lips: treatment at home

If the feeling of tightness and the formation of microcracks on the lips is caused by external factors and you have no internal pathologies, treatment may be limited to the use of folk remedies.

The following recipes are good for softening the skin:

0.5 tsp. chamomile flowers are poured into 100 ml of boiling water and allowed to brew until completely cooled. Moisten a cotton pad with the resulting infusion and place it on the lips for 10 minutes.
Honey works well for cracked lips. It should be applied to the affected areas for 10 minutes and then washed off.
Sea buckthorn, mustard and linseed oil provide softening and nourishment to the skin. It is necessary to apply any of the indicated oils for 5-10 minutes, and then gently blot the residue with a soft cloth.

External influences

The cause of dry lips can also be an allergy to substances that come into direct contact with them. Moreover, the direct connection “contact - allergy” cannot always be discerned. It is clear that when a woman’s lips swell and itch after applying a new lipstick, she herself will guess about the allergy.

But it happens that the lips dry, hurt, peel without a pronounced inflammatory reaction, and the cause may be chemicals contained in toothpaste and dentures. Many people have the habit of chewing pens, pencils, and putting various other objects in their mouths. Occupational contact cheilitis occurs: for example, in brass band musicians.

If your child's lips are dry and cracked, you should think about an allergy to latex pacifiers or toys that children constantly put in their mouths.

Side effects of drugs

Some medications can cause dry and flaky lips. The most well-known medications with this side effect are Accutane, propranolol, and prochlorperazine.

Many people ask: if your lips dry out, what vitamin should you take? So, increased dryness can be caused not only by a deficiency, but also by an excess of vitamins. This is how, for example, excessive consumption of vitamin A manifests itself. Various forms of this vitamin (retinoids) are used by cosmetologists, dermatologists, gynecologists, and reproductive specialists. The daily dose for various types of treatment should not exceed 25,000 IU.

What vitamin is missing when your lips crack?

If you have ruled out all other options, all that remains is hypovitaminosis. So, what vitamin is a person lacking if his lips are peeling?

First of all, check the blood for vitamin A and E levels - they are responsible for elasticity and maintaining a sufficient level of moisture;
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) influences collagen synthesis, so if it is lacking, lips also often crack;
B vitamins have a great effect on metabolism and regeneration - if they are lacking, this can manifest itself as peeling of the lips, skin, and the appearance of dandruff.

We also recommend: Lauric-type cocoa butter substitute
Excess vitamin A (retinol) can also cause your dry lips, so monitor your diet.

First of all, you need to donate blood biochemistry to determine the content of these vitamins. This way you will know for sure what is missing, and whether this is why your lips are cracking. Depending on the size of the deficiency, together with your doctor, calculate the dose of vitamins that will need to be taken daily. Also review your menu - include more products containing these elements.

During pregnancy and lactation, you should take special multivitamin complexes - the good thing about them is that all dosages are calculated and balanced in advance.

What to do

As you can see, there are many reasons for dry lips. It’s no secret that few people immediately go to the doctor with this problem; we try to deal with it on our own.

The most important thing to do is to analyze the possible reasons, which are often quite obvious.

This is primarily the use of protective moisturizing balms and creams if you are forced to be outdoors in hot, cold or windy weather.
Protect your lips from ultraviolet radiation using special cosmetics with SPF filters.
Indoor air humidification.
Drink enough fluids. Many people miss this point because they think that if we drink only when we want, then this is our need.
Visit a psychotherapist if you cannot get rid of the habit of biting your lips.
Restore normal nasal breathing. This advice is more difficult to follow, especially for people who have had nasal problems for years. Sometimes this requires surgical interventions. You need to decide on this. Normal breathing through the nose will eliminate not only dry lips, but also other serious problems.
Taking multivitamin preparations will not hurt.
Use the right lip moisturizers. They should contain petroleum jelly, dimethicone, shea butter or hyaluronic acid. If the peeling of the lips persists, it is worth using balms with keratids. Various flavors in balms and lipsticks can only aggravate the situation.
If we have taken all measures, but the problem remains, we need to go to the doctor. Perhaps this is chronic cheilitis, which needs to be treated with more serious medications. You can contact cosmetologists, dermatologists, dentists. You may also need to visit a therapist to schedule a comprehensive examination.