7 Causes Of Chapped Lips
Chapped lips are a condition where the lips become dry, flaky, or cracked. Cracks can appear on both the upper and lower lips, and they can be painful and may even bleed. Dry lips can result from various causes, depending on individual conditions and characteristics.
Here are some common causes of chapped lips:
1. Dehydration
One of the main causes of chapped lips is dehydration. Water makes up about 70% of body weight and plays a crucial role in detoxifying the body and keeping the skin, hair, and lips hydrated. A lack of water can lead to dry and flaky lips. Additionally, exposure to wind and UV rays can cause the skin, including the lips, to lose moisture faster, leading to chapped lips. Therefore, it’s important to drink 6-8 glasses of water daily.
2. Frequent Lip Licking
When your lips feel dry and chapped, you might instinctively lick them. However, this only makes your lips drier after the saliva evaporates, reducing the moisture on your lips and causing dryness. Moreover, saliva can contain food particles, which can worsen the condition of dry and chapped lips.
3. Lack of Lip Care
Don’t forget to protect your lips by using lip balm and sunscreen. Find a lip balm with SPF to shield your lips, or simply apply a bit of sunscreen on your lips before going outside. Keep your lips moisturized throughout the day with Vaseline or beeswax to maintain plump lips, especially during dry and cold winter days.
4. Vitamin Deficiency
Chapped lips can indicate a vitamin deficiency. Vitamin B, in particular, plays a vital role in the regular functioning of the body. It provides energy, supports the immune system, and contributes to healthy skin. Without sufficient Vitamin B, you may experience skin issues such as dry and flaky lips.
5. Overconsumption of Vitamin A
Contrary to Vitamin B deficiency, chapped lips can also result from excessive Vitamin A intake. Vitamin A toxicity can occur if you consume too many supplements containing Vitamin A. Excess Vitamin A is stored in the liver and accumulates over time, causing various symptoms, including cracks at the corners of the mouth and dry, flaky skin. Consuming more than 25,000 IU of Vitamin A daily indicates overconsumption.
6. Medications
Certain medications, such as Accutane (used for treating acne or reducing wrinkles), propranolol (a blood pressure medication), or prochlorperazine (an anti-nausea medication), can also cause dry and chapped lips.
7. Allergic Conditions
Chapped lips can be a sign of a yeast infection, especially if accompanied by cracks around the corners of the mouth. Excessive lip licking creates a warm, moist environment that encourages yeast growth, particularly when saliva accumulates in the corners of the mouth, causing dry, flaky lips. Allergens can also cause chapped lips, such as cobalt and nickel. Excessive Vitamin B12 supplementation can cause an allergy to cobalt, leading to cracked, dry, and flaky lips.
In most cases, chapped lips are not a serious condition and do not pose a health risk. Chapped lips rarely require emergency medical attention. However, understanding the causes and risk factors of chapped lips and proactively avoiding them, combined with home remedies, can help prevent chapped lips and keep them from becoming drier.