Chapped lips can be dry, cracked, and painful. They can be caused by a variety of things, including dry weather, licking your lips, and certain medications.They tend to be especially bothersome during the cold winter months.
1
Use lip balm
Apply a lip balm to promote healing and prevent chapped lips. Lip balm also helps to seal in moisture and protect your lips from outside irritations.
- Apply lip balm every hour or two to treat dry lips and to keep them healthy.
- Use balm with SPF of at least 16 to save your lips from sun damage.
- Apply lip balm after you have applied a moisturizer.
- Find a balm that has beeswax, petroleum, or dimethicone.
2
Try using petroleum jelly
Petroleum jelly (e.g., Vaseline) can help seal and protect your lips, acting as a balm. Using petroleum may also help to protect against the sun, which may dry and crack lips.
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Try using petroleum jelly
Petroleum jelly (e.g., Vaseline) can help seal and protect your lips, acting as a balm. Using petroleum may also help to protect against the sun, which may dry and crack lips.
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- Apply a sunscreen formulated for lips under the petroleum jelly.
3
Apply a moisturizer
Using a moisturizer will help your lips to stay hydrated and to absorb moisture more easily. Moisturizers are an essential part of keeping your lips as hydrated as they can be. Look for the following ingredients in your moisturizers:
- Shea Butter
- Emu Butter
- Vitamin E Oil
- Coconut Oil
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4
Drink plenty of water
Being dehydrated can cause dry, chapped lips. Try to increase the amount of water you drink to help keep your lips hydrated.
4
Drink plenty of water
Being dehydrated can cause dry, chapped lips. Try to increase the amount of water you drink to help keep your lips hydrated.
- Winter has especially dry air, so make sure to increase hydration during this season.
- Drink at least the recommended 8 glasses of water a day.
5
Don't lick your lips
Licking your lips will cause more chapping. Even though it might seem like this helps keep them hydrated, it actually dries lips out. In fact, "lip-licker's dermatitis" is frequently seen in people who lick their lips too much, and can cause an itchy rash around the mouth. Use a lip moisturizer instead.
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- Avoid using flavored lip balms, as this may encourage licking your lips.
- Don't over-apply any product as this may also cause you to lick your lips.
6
Don't bite or pick your lips
Biting lips removes their protective covering which causes further drying. Allow your lips to heal and function without picking or biting them.
- Pay attention to when you bite or pick your lips as you might not notice doing it.
- Ask a friend to remind you not to bite or pick if they see you doing it.
7
Avoid certain foods
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Spicy and acidic foods may irritate your lips. Pay attention to your lips after eating and look for any signs of irritation. Try removing these foods from your diet for a few weeks to see if that irritation subsides.
- Avoid anything with hot peppers or sauces.
- Don't eat any highly acidic foods such as tomatoes.
- Some foods, like mango peels, contain irritants that should also be avoided.
8
Know when to see a doctor
In some cases, chapped lips may be the sign of another medical issue that will require a doctor's care. If you have any of the following, see your doctor:
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- Persistent chapping despite treatment
- Very painful chapping
- Swelling or drainage from the lips
- Chapping in the corners of your mouth
- Painful sores on or near the lips
- Sores that don't heal
Courtesy Wiki How
