How to Treat Chapped Lips?

Chapped lips can have several causes, including dry weather, overexposure to the sun, lip biting and sucking, riboflavin (vitamin B-2) deficiencies and ill-fitting dentures.

• Apply lip balm or petroleum jelly. You can also try coating your lips with skin moisturizer, vitamin E oil or aloe vera gel. These greasy products help keep your lips properly moisturized.
• Use lip balm that contains sunblock if you are going to be outside.
• Avoid licking your lips, since the saliva will evaporate and leave them dry.
• Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
• Consider moistening the air in your home with a humidifier.
• Keep in mind that cracks at the corners of your mouth can indicate riboflavin deficiencies; you can treat this with vitamin B-2 supplements.
• Have a dentist readjust ill-fitting dentures if you believe they might be the cause of your chapped lips.

Tips:

Before applying lipstick, dab on a very small amount of lip balm or petroleum jelly to give your lips a little moisture.

Warnings:

Severely cracked lips can become infected. Use over-the-counter antibiotic ointments to guard against this.

If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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