How to get rid of chapped lips disease: treatment of cheilitis

Causes of cracks

Cracks in the skin of the mouth appear for a reason. The main factors for the development of cracks are:

  • Allergic reactions to low-quality lipstick, toothpaste or lip balm;

  • Low levels of vitamins A, E, B in the body. Lack of vitamins in the body leads to the loss of the aesthetic appearance of the lips. They lose their natural elasticity, resulting in small cracks appearing when moving the lips.

  • Regular licking of lips. Saliva can lead to the destruction of the protective layer of the skin.
  • Dry air in the room where a person spends most of his time. Dry air removes moisture from the surface of the lips, which leads to a rapid deterioration of elasticity.
  • Frequent exposure to direct sunlight or frost. Exposure to very high or very low temperatures also negatively affects the skin and dries it out.

It must be remembered that the most common cause of dry lips is insufficient hydration.

Why do cracks appear in the corners of the lips?

Wounds in the corners of the mouth are popularly called jams . The reasons for their occurrence are much more serious than when they appear on the lip:

  1. Increased dryness of the skin.
  2. Low level of vitamins in the patient’s body.
  3. Failure to comply with basic hygiene rules.
  4. The use of fluoride-containing toothpastes for brushing teeth.
  5. Low iron levels in the body.
  6. As a consequence of the presence of problems in the body (disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract, decreased immunity, diabetes mellitus and hormonal imbalances).

Most often, the cause of the development of the disease is considered to be a specific pathogen that occurs in the body due to weakened immunity.

If you cannot cure cracks with the help of moisturizers and lotions, then you must definitely seek help from a doctor to undergo the necessary tests and identify common pathogens (fungi, streptococcus, etc.).

How to smear chapped lips: pharmaceuticals and preparations

What to do if your lips are chapped:

  • If you notice that your lips have begun to peel, regular Vaseline will help. The drug is based on mineral oils and paraffins and has a softening effect, softens the stratum corneum. Vaseline helps in cases where there is chapping around the lips - it is enough to lubricate the skin with the product a couple of times a day.
  • Ointments with wax or lanolin are a good remedy at the initial stage. These components prevent moisture loss from the surface of the lips.
  • The initial stage of chapping can be cured with Aevit - an oil solution of vitamins A and E. If you lubricate your lips with the drug 2-3 times a day, after a few days there will be no trace of the problem.
  • Calendula and sea buckthorn oils have a similar effect. In addition to their softening effect, oils relieve inflammation and accelerate skin regeneration.
  • What to apply when lips become chapped, cracks and rough peeling appear? Hydrocortisone ointment will help. The drug is hormonal, but do not be afraid of it: it does not pose a danger when used locally and for short-term use. The ointment is applied to the lips 1-2 times a day, for no more than 5 days.
  • Burenka cream has a good effect: it nourishes dry skin and quickly copes with the problem. You need to apply the cream to both your lips and the surrounding skin.
  • If the problem is related to a virus (often a herpes infection), etiological treatment is necessary (Acyclovir and others).
  • Small and medium cracks can be easily cured with a gel based on zinc sulfate and dexpanthenol. Damaged areas need to be treated 2-3 times a day.
  • In advanced cases, if the lips are very chapped and there is inflammation, antibacterial ointment will help.
  • If none of the above helps, you need to consult a doctor: a dermatologist, a gastroenterologist, a neurologist.

How quickly will lips heal? If treatment is started in a timely manner, 1-2 days are sufficient. If cracks or crusts have formed - at least 1 week.

Cheilitis features of the disease

Cheilitis is a lesion of the lips , which is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • Cracks.
  • Development of seizures.
  • Increased peeling.
  • The pink edging of the lips, which under normal conditions is almost invisible to the eye, becomes a bright red hue.
  • The appearance of bubbles.

If these symptoms have been identified, then for further treatment of the disease you need to consult a dentist.

Such a disease cannot be cured with the help of simple moisturizing cosmetics, which many use in the hope of a better effect.

Causes of discomfort

First of all, you need to understand what causes the unpleasant symptom. In most cases, if the lips are chapped and sore, the doctor checks the patient for the presence of internal and sources of the pathological condition (low immunity, infectious lesions, allergic reactions). It would be a good idea to make sure that the itching and burning are not caused by a deficiency of vitamins or failure to maintain the water-salt balance (dehydration).

Of course, it’s worth making sure that there was no negative influence of external factors:

  • temperature changes;
  • exposure to wind, frost, ultraviolet radiation;
  • use of incorrect hygiene products and cosmetics.

Often the cause of chapped lips is the habit of licking them. It is not difficult to determine the pathology. The first symptoms are dry skin and tightness. Then there is burning, itching, bleeding and peeling.

Nutrition during crack development

Nutrition when the surface of the lips is affected by cracks should be formed according to the following rules: maintaining water balance in the body and including healthy foods in the daily diet.

Every day you need to drink about two liters of drinking water. Eat foods that will contain all the necessary vitamins: orange vegetables and fruits (persimmon, orange, pumpkin, sea buckthorn), fish, meat, nuts, legumes, any fresh vegetables.

You should also limit yourself to eating salty, smoked, fatty and fried foods.

If you cannot replenish the amount of vitamins in the body by normalizing your diet and adding new healthy foods, then you can use ready-made mineral-vitamin complexes and dietary supplements. There are no special additives or complexes to combat chapped lips.

If you still decide to take a whole course of using vitamins or dietary supplements, then you can purchase universal and restorative products that contain vitamins from group A, B, E.

The vitamin preparation Aevit is convenient because it can be used both to nourish the skin from the inside and outside. The main components of this product are vitamins E and retinol. The drug eliminates dry skin, which is so necessary when fighting wounds. Such a tablet can be split and its contents applied to the surface of the skin with massaging movements.

Prevention

To save your lips from chapping, you need to properly care for them. Preventative measures are quite feasible:

  1. Constantly use moisturizing balms, creams, serums and hygienic lipsticks with vitamins and hyaluronic acid.
  2. In winter, do not use cosmetics with retinol, alcohol or menthol. In summer, choose products with ultraviolet filters. Use only high-quality cosmetics and monitor their expiration dates.
  3. No smoking. Do not lick or bite your lips. Do not touch them with dirty hands.
  4. Humidify the air in the room.
  5. There are more foods high in retinol, tocopherol, ascorbic acid and riboflavin. Eliminate food allergens from your diet. Drink more water.
  6. Take courses of multivitamins regularly.
  7. Wash only with warm water.
  8. Treat concomitant diseases in a timely manner.
  9. Breathe through your nose.
  10. Use fluoride toothpaste as little as possible.

Chapped lips look very unsightly and cause a lot of discomfort in the form of pain. It is difficult to talk to them, eat, kiss, it is impossible to put on beautiful makeup and go to a serious event. In order not to experience such unpleasant moments, be sure to take preventive measures and receive timely treatment.

How to cure cracked lips

External treatment of cracks ensures restoration of skin structure and elasticity. Remedies that are suitable for treating wounds in the lip area:

  1. Bepanten plus. The product is presented in the form of an ointment, which helps to quickly heal cracks and restore the skin by moisturizing it. The main component in the medicine is dexpanthenol. The drug creates a protective film on the skin and prevents inflammation from developing further. Main advantages: has no contraindications, harmless if ingested, gives a quick effect, universal. Bepanten should be used to provide first aid for burns, including sunburn, cuts on the fingers, abrasions and other injuries to the skin. In children, Bepanten can be used from the first day of birth. The disadvantage is the relatively high cost.
  2. Zinc ointment. An inexpensive product that contains healing and antiseptic properties. Prevents inflammatory processes from covering the entire surface of the lips. The main active ingredient is zinc oxide. Main advantages: affordable cost of the product, versatility, widespread use. The main disadvantages: in some cases, allergic reactions occur in the patient; if there is purulent discharge in the crack, the use of Zinc ointment is prohibited.
  3. Syntomycin ointment. The drug is considered an antibiotic because of which it has an anti-inflammatory effect on sore skin. The active drug in the medicine is Levomycetin. The product is sold in aluminum tubes or glass jars. Kills microbes and prevents them from actively reproducing. The ointment also contains novocaine, which has an analgesic effect. Apply the remedy for cracked lips to cleansed and well-dried skin. Advantages: prevalence, wide scope. Disadvantages: this ointment has many disadvantages; it can develop side effects in the form of disruptions in the hematopoietic system.
  4. Boro-plus cream. A budget drug that differs from others in its natural composition: medicinal herbs and plants. It qualitatively heals the skin of the lips and does not harm with its natural actions.
  5. Solcoseryl. The main active ingredient in the product is dialysate obtained from the blood of cattle. Solcoseryl acts quickly during the treatment of diseases in the oral cavity, damaging the skin and causing dental problems. The product should be applied once a day and additionally moistened with water. The ointment stimulates the metabolic process, increases metabolism, and also accelerates the process of tissue regeneration. The drug contains the substance Polidocanol, which has a local anesthetic effect. The ointment covers the sore spot with a protective film, which prevents germs from spreading and damaging areas of the skin. Advantages of the drug: high efficiency, can be used by both pregnant women and young children. Cons: high price for the drug.

Treatment

There are often cases when a person has chapped lips, but he does not know what to do and prefers to simply not pay attention. The problem is that they will take much longer to heal without care. And this is if the problem is caused, for example, by the influence of weather, and not by any disease. The first does not seem dangerous at all, but it is worth trying to get rid of the problem. This can be done using two methods: medicinal (pharmacy) and folk.

Pharmacy products

In pharmacies you can find a large number of different products that are aimed at moisturizing and strengthening the skin on the lips. With their help, you can get rid of the problem in 1-2 days if you create favorable conditions for skin healing.


Vaseline is a proven lip softener.

How to treat chapped lips:

  • Petrolatum. Universal and one of the most popular means. Vaseline will soften the skin, protecting it from the negative influences of the environment. It is perfect in the initial stages when a person suffers from mild flaking.
  • Vitamins A, E. They are sold in the form of oil solutions. This is a great way to keep your lips healthy. You just need to smear them several times a day, and by the morning the problem will be solved. Even if your lips are healthy, you can still smear them from time to time for prevention.
  • Lip balms, lipsticks, creams. This is the most common solution to the problem of chapped lips. Such products help protect the skin and restore damaged areas. Of all the options for balms, lipsticks and creams, you should choose only products from well-known brands, the composition of which is as natural as possible.
  • Ointments. They are extremely effective in “advanced” cases when other means do not help. Hydrocortisone ointment is best suited to eliminate cracks. First, spread a thin layer of ointment, and then cover it with moisturizer. In extreme cases, the use of antibacterial ointments is allowed, but you should first consult with your doctor to rule out possible side effects.
  • Gels. They are as safe as possible and also do an excellent job. You need to choose those that contain zinc sulfate.

Important! Try to avoid cheap drugs whose composition seems questionable. Their components can further damage the skin. In some cases, they can also cause serious allergies.

Folk remedies

Many are supporters of traditional methods of treatment. And for good reason. Most prescriptions help as effectively as pharmaceutical drugs. What can you do if your lips are chapped, according to folk recipes?

Oil

Sea buckthorn, olive, rosehip, calendula - they all quickly heal lips. Oils can be mixed with vitamin solutions. For example, lubricate the skin with a solution of olive oil (20 ml) with vitamin A and lemon juice (2 drops each). Repeat the procedure several times a day.


Sea buckthorn oil will help solve lip problems

Compress

Compresses are an extremely effective remedy. For example, coffee or salt. In the first case, you need to mix coffee grounds (1 tbsp) with oatmeal (2 tbsp), mix, wrap in gauze, and apply to your lips for 20 minutes. In the second case, you just need to dilute salt (½ tsp) in warm water (250 ml), soak a cloth in it and apply it for 10 minutes, and after the procedure, anoint the skin with cream.

Ointments, creams, masks

They have become the most popular folk remedies. There are several most effective options.


An aloe mask will help restore your lips to their original appearance.

What to apply on chapped lips:

  • Avocado. It is enough to apply its pulp to the skin for 30 minutes. It will enhance moisture retention and also make it softer.
  • Mask with sea buckthorn oil. This is a quick treatment option. You need to melt honey (50 g), add glycerin (20 g), propolis tincture (10 ml) and sea buckthorn oil (15 g), and then mix well. Apply to skin twice daily.
  • Aloe mask. This mask has a good effect on cracks, restoring them as quickly as possible. You can make it by mixing Vaseline, glycerin (1 to 1) and a little aloe juice. It is applied for 30 minutes, then washed off.
  • Cocoa ointment. Mix Vaseline, cocoa butter, beeswax, chamomile decoction in equal proportions (one spoon each). Lubricate your skin several times a day.
  • Cottage cheese. Mix some cottage cheese with cream and apply on lips. You will need to wait until it dries completely. This mixture will soften, strengthen and moisturize the skin.

How to quickly cure chapped lips? Use honey. This mask is the most effective remedy. Apply honey to your skin every 2 hours, leaving it on for 20 minutes, then rinse and lubricate it with olive oil.

Peeling

It is one of the most effective remedies. After the procedure, all dead pieces of skin that cause discomfort will be removed from the lips. This is done very simply: anoint the skin with candied honey or sugar with olive oil, then remove and wipe all previously smeared areas with a soft toothbrush.


Lip peeling can be done at home

Lip care rules

  1. Cleanse your lips every day. To remove makeup, you can use the same milk as for the eyes. It is worth exfoliating a couple of times a week to get rid of flaking and allow the skin to breathe calmly.
  2. During the spring and summer season, it is imperative to protect your lips from the sun's rays. To do this, you need to use balms with SPF factor.
  3. It is worth abandoning the aggressive impact of toothbrushes, which are especially popular online. This stretches the skin of the lips and can speed up the process of wrinkles.
  4. Give up cigarettes. Smoking negatively affects the condition of the lips, the skin becomes even thinner, and the brightness of the lips is lost.
  5. You should use only high-quality decorative cosmetics. It directly affects the beauty of your smile. Cheap lipsticks do not provide the skin with the required amount of moisture.
  6. You should use balms day and night and make masks once a day.
  7. You should not resort to filler injections - they have a negative effect.

The beauty of lips also depends on what we eat every day. The food should contain a sufficient amount of vitamins and fatty acids, which are so necessary for beautiful skin. The diet must include:

  • nuts: walnuts and peanuts;
  • fatty fish: eel, mackerel, saury;
  • vegetable oils;
  • vegetables and greens.

An equally useful procedure for lips is massage. If you do it 3-4 times a week, your lips will become softer and more juicy. There are 2 main types:

  1. Using a soft toothbrush. It is necessary to distribute a little vegetable oil or honey over the lips, then massage with a brush very carefully and without pressing for 1-2 minutes. After the massage, apply a rich cream to your lips for 15 minutes.
  2. Ice. You can massage your lips with small ice cubes. The main thing is that the cubes have a flat and smooth surface so as not to injure the skin. Afterwards you need to use a moisturizer. This massage makes the lips more attractive and seductive.

Chapped lips: how to quickly cure

If such a problem has happened to you and you suffer from dry lips, then it’s time to fix this problem!

Ready-made cosmetics

The easiest and most affordable way is to use lip balm. But you should remember that not all cosmetics are equally good. When choosing such a balm, first of all we pay attention not to the price and manufacturer, but to the composition.

A good and high-quality balm should contain the following ingredients: cocoa butter or other healthy oils (shea, shea), vitamin A and vitamin E (indispensable for dry skin). This cosmetic product should also include ingredients such as petroleum jelly or beeswax; they provide further protection to your skin from the effects of wind and frost during the cold season.

When using lip balm, remember that it must be reapplied before going outside.

Which balm should you choose? Here is a list of tools that have proven themselves and helped cope with this problem:

  • Neutrogena®
  • NIVEA Basic care
  • Carmexmouisturizing lip balm
  • Belweder Stick Levres Protecteur aux Huiles Essentielles de Rose
  • EOS Visibly Soft Lip Balm
  • Mades Cosmetics Chapter Lip Balm
  • Yves Rocher / Yves Rocher COCONUT: Softening

Sunscreen

It sounds surprising, but it helps protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun and eliminate the problem of dry lips. This is more relevant in the summer, especially during a holiday at sea. The sun is as harmful to the skin of your lips as it is to the skin of your entire body. And if we take into account the fact that there are no sebaceous glands in this area, then it needs protection no less than the skin of the face, for example. Choose a cream with a protective factor of 30 or more and it is best if it is waterproof, then your skin will be protected for a long time.

Doctor consultation and medicinal ointments

It is best to show severely chapped lips to a doctor if conventional cosmetics and procedures do not help. Too advanced cases can result in skin inflammation and the development of unpleasant infections, so a visit to the doctor should not be postponed if no positive changes have occurred within several days. You may be prescribed special ointments that will help cope with this problem. Most of these ointments contain hydrocartisone, which treats various manifestations of skin diseases. Zinc ointment and Bepanten help well with this problem In especially severe cases, the doctor may even prescribe an antibiotic.

Many people use Acyclovir for dry skin, forgetting that it is, first of all, an antiviral agent that is used for the manifestations of herpes. It is important to understand that this ointment dries out the skin and does not moisturize it, and using this drug for normal chapping can only worsen the situation.

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