{"id":1427,"date":"2023-03-02T12:09:10","date_gmt":"2023-03-02T12:09:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/?p=1427"},"modified":"2023-03-02T12:09:12","modified_gmt":"2023-03-02T12:09:12","slug":"what-are-chapped-lips-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-treatment-and-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/?p=1427","title":{"rendered":"What Are Chapped Lips? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most people have experienced&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/skin-and-beauty\/home-remedies-for-chapped-lips.aspx\">chapped lips<\/a>&nbsp;at some point in their lives. Medically known as cheilitis, chapped lips are characterized by cracks or fissures in the lips (usually the lower one) and dryness. Environmental&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/stress\/guide\/\">stressors<\/a>&nbsp;such as wind, cold temperatures, and the sun can lead to chapped lips. Products you use, such as lipstick, lip balm, and even toothpaste, can also cause chapped lips. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK470592\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">1<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to an article in&nbsp;<em>Acta Clinica Croatia<\/em>, there are several kinds of cheilitis. The most common types are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cheilitis simplex<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact or eczematous cheilitis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Angular cheilitis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Actinic cheilitis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drug-induced cheilitis (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6531998\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">2<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Signs and Symptoms of Chapped Lips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In general, the signs and symptoms of chapped lips include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cracks or fissures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dryness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Redness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Peeling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That said, your symptoms may vary depending upon the exact type of cheilitis you have. Here are the signs and symptoms of each type:&nbsp;(2)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cheilitis Simplex&nbsp;<\/strong>Lip cracking, usually on the lower lip<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Contact or Eczematous Cheilitis<\/strong>&nbsp;Dryness, scaling, and fissuring<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Angular Cheilitis<\/strong>&nbsp;Inflammation and redness at the corners of the mouth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Actinic Cheilitis<\/strong>&nbsp;Red patches, puffiness, scaly plaques, and small bumps caused by sun exposure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drug-Induced\u00a0Cheilitis<\/strong>\u00a0Lesions (sores)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Causes and Risk Factors of Chapped Lips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The skin on your lips is thinner than on the rest of your body, so it\u2019s more susceptible to dryness and chapping. Generally speaking, common causes of chapped lips include dry or cold weather, overexposure to the sun, and licking your lips too frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are the specific causes of each type of chapped lips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cheilitis Simplex&nbsp;<\/strong>Frequent lip licking is usually to blame. Licking your lips too much removes the oily surface film that keeps moisture in and makes them more prone to dryness and cracking. On top of that, digestive enzymes in saliva may irritate lips by extracting moisture from them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Contact or Eczematous Cheilitis&nbsp;<\/strong>The culprit of this type of chapped lips is irritating substances, like preservatives and dyes found in products such as lipstick, toothpaste, certain foods, and even pens.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Angular Cheilitis&nbsp;<\/strong>This type of chapped lips is common in people who have deep wrinkles at the corners of their mouths and who lick lip corners frequently. It can also be caused by a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/hs\/guide-to-essential-nutrients\/common-nutrient-deficiencies\/\">vitamin deficiency<\/a>, such as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/diet-nutrition\/benefits-of-vitamin-b6.aspx\">B6<\/a>&nbsp;or zinc, or conditions&nbsp;like&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/celiac-disease\/guide\/\">celiac disease<\/a>. It\u2019s frequently found in diabetics and people with psychiatric disorders such as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/bulimia-nervosa\/guide\/\">bulimia<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/anorexia-nervosa\/guide\/\">anorexia nervosa<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Actinic Cheilitis&nbsp;<\/strong>Also known as \u201csolar keratosis,\u201d this kind of chapped lips is due to chronic sun exposure. It\u2019s often found in people who work outdoors such as farmers, construction workers, and lifeguards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drug-Induced<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Cheilitis&nbsp;<\/strong>Usually it\u2019s caused by retinoids (used to treat acne or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/psoriasis\/guide\/\">psoriasis<\/a>) or other medications like topical antibiotics or local anesthetics.<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>(2)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How Are Chapped Lips Diagnosed?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cheilitis simplex (run-of-the-mill chapped lips) can usually be healed with at-home remedies like drinking more water and using nonirritating lip balms. But if your chapped lips are severe, you may need to see a doctor who can make an official diagnosis and recommend targeted therapies, says the American Academy of Dermatology. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/everyday-care\/skin-care-basics\/dry\/heal-dry-chapped-lips#:~:text=Most%20of%20the%20time%2C%20the,lips%20feel%20dry%20and%20uncomfortable.\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">3<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To diagnose chapped lips, your doctor will ask about your symptoms, take a careful medical history, and do a clinical examination. They may also need to do a patch test or take a swab of your lips to check for infection. In some cases, a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/biopsy\/guide\/\">biopsy<\/a>&nbsp;may be necessary so the skin on your lips can be examined under a microscope. (2)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Duration of Chapped Lips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The length of time it takes to heal chapped lips depends on how severe your condition is. Less severe cases, such as cheilitis simplex, can be healed in two to three weeks. If your lips don\u2019t feel better after a few weeks, see a board-certified dermatologist who can determine the proper course of treatment. (3)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treatment and Medication Options for Chapped Lips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chapped lips typically heal on their own with at-home treatments. If your chapped lips won\u2019t go away \u2014 or if your lips become severely cracked or swollen \u2014 see your doctor. These may be signs of an underlying medical problem. (3)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are targeted treatment options for each type of chapped lips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cheilitis Simplex<\/strong>&nbsp;Lip balm, petroleum jelly, topical&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/corticosteroids\/guide\/\">corticosteroids<\/a>, ointments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Contact or Eczematous Cheilitis<\/strong>&nbsp;Topical corticosteroids and emollients such as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/drugs\/vaseline\">Vaseline<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/drugs\/cetaphil-moisturizing\">Aquaphor<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Angular Cheilitis<\/strong>&nbsp;Topical antifungal medication, antiseptics, antibiotics, topical corticosteroids<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Actinic Cheilitis<\/strong>&nbsp;Emollients and topical corticosteroids<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drug-Induced Cheilitis<\/strong>&nbsp;Emollients and discontinued use of the drug (if possible) (2)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chapped lips will persist until the sun damage is treated. Sometimes, a laser or nitrogen freezings can improve damaged skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prevention of Chapped Lips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are a number of steps you can take at home to prevent chapped lips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Try not to lick your lips too much.&nbsp;<\/strong>Saliva evaporates quickly and can leave your lips feeling even more chapped.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Protect your lips.&nbsp;<\/strong>For maximum moisture and protection, choose a lip-soothing product that contains beeswax or petrolatum (petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline). Choose a nonirritating (fragrance- and flavor-free) lip product with SPF sun protection if you\u2019re outside for long periods during daylight in cold or dry weather.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cover Up.&nbsp;<\/strong>Cover your lips and face with a scarf on cold, windy days.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stay Hydrated.&nbsp;<\/strong>Drinking plenty of fluids, and even using a humidifier can help, especially in the colder, drier months of the year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Avoid Irritants.&nbsp;<\/strong>Don\u2019t use any personal care products, fragrances, or foods that cause irritation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Close Your Mouth.<\/strong>&nbsp;Breathe through your nose instead of your mouth. (<a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/ency\/article\/002036.htm\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">4<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Original Article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/chapped-lips\/guide\/\">https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/chapped-lips\/guide\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most people have experienced&nbsp;chapped lips&nbsp;at some point in their lives. Medically known as cheilitis, chapped lips are characterized by cracks or fissures in the lips (usually the lower one) and dryness. Environmental&nbsp;stressors&nbsp;such as wind, cold temperatures, and the sun can lead to chapped lips. Products you use, such as lipstick, lip balm, and even toothpaste, can also cause chapped lips. (1) According to an article in&nbsp;Acta Clinica Croatia, there are several kinds of cheilitis. The most common types are: Signs [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1427","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-conditions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1427","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1427"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1427\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1428,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1427\/revisions\/1428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1427"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1427"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1427"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}