What You Need to Know About Chapped Lips

When winter comes around, many of us experience chapped lips — dry, irritated, peeling lips caused by inflammation and disruption of the outer skin layer, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in the dermatology department at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Chapped lips, or cheilitis, are very common and can be painful. They’re most often caused by cold, dry, windy weather, but other causes include underlying health conditions. While chapped lips are usually harmless, it’s important to protect and hydrate them with the right treatment.

The common cold and sun damage can also cause your lips to become overly dry and chapped, as can medications such as cholesterol-lowering agents, says Dr. Zeichner.

Another sneaky cause of dry lips: You’re not drinking enough water. This dries out your skin — including your lips — leading to the telltale chapping and flaking.

Allergic or irritant contact is another common cause of chapped lips, where exposure to an external product causes a true allergic reaction or a direct irritation to the skin, says Zeichner.

But most of the time, chapped lips are caused by dryness, and wind is a prime culprit, explains dermatologist Clay J. Cockerell, MD, founder and medical director of Cockerell Dermatopathology in Dallas.

Dry, chapped lips can also be associated with a variety of underlying medical conditions, including thyroid disease, vitamin deficiencies, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), says Zeichner. Low thyroid function may cause dryness of the mouth and lips, and B complex vitamin deficiencies or low zinc or iron levels have been reported to cause chapped lips, he adds.

Angular cheilitis, or inflammation in the corners of the mouth, is a common condition that can cause dry or chapped lips. It’s typically caused by yeast overgrowth or irritation from saliva, and it’s usually treated with anti-yeast medication, anti-inflammatories, or skin protectants overnight, says Rebecca Baxt, MD, a dermatologist in Paramus, New Jersey.

Dry, chapped lips can sometimes heal on their own, but if that isn’t happening after a day or two, try using a lip balm, suggests Zeichner. Lip balms contain a combination of waxes and oils that form a protective seal over the skin, he explains. Your best choice is a basic lip balm with either a petroleum jelly or paraffin base that can keep moisture in your lips, protect them from the elements, and give them time to heal.

Zeichner recommends Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm with SPF 20. Vaseline is another dermatologist favorite. Dr. Cockerell advises choosing a formula with built-in sunscreen (look for an SPF number in the product name) and applying it frequently throughout the day.

If lip balms are not helping, see your dermatologist. You can also try 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to treat chapped lips if they are not improving on their own after a few days of using lip balm, says Zeichner.

If you’re looking for a natural home remedy for chapped lips, Zeichner suggests trying coconut oil, since it spreads easily without dripping. “The same types of products you use for dry skin can often be used for the lips,” he explains.

Kids are at risk of getting a superficial skin infection called impetigo, especially if they get open or cracked skin, and it can easily be spread to others, says Zeichner.

Zeichner recommends touching base with your pediatrician if your child has chapped lips that don’t go away in a day or two.

Here are three simple ways to prevent chapped lips and keep your lips smooth and hydrated, according to Zeichner:

• Avoid licking your lips. People sometimes lick their lips to reduce the feeling of dry lips, but saliva actually worsens the situation.

  [5]

• Pay attention to your lips. If they start to feel dry or itchy, apply a lip balm early.
• Skip spicy foods. If you have sensitive skin, try to avoid spicy foods, which can irritate the lips.

• Chapped lips occur when the outer layer of skin on the lips becomes dry, flaky, discolored, and inflamed, making them sore or painful.
• The best way to treat chapped lips is to seal in moisture by using a high-quality lip balm with SPF and nonirritating ingredients that won’t cause inflammation.
• Chapped lips don’t usually require medical treatment, but if you’re worried that they may be a sign of a related underlying health condition, or if your child has chapped lips that don’t go away after a few days of home treatment, speak to your doctor.

Additional reporting by Jennifer D’Angelo Friedman.