In case that, even applying the measures mentioned here and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you continue to have chapped and injured lips and also experience another discomfort, consult your doctor.
Most people, at some point in their lives, have chapped and parched lips as a result of cold or lack of hydration. So, drinking a little water and applying a little cocoa on the lips is usually enough. However, sometimes the discomfort can persist because the cause that generates it is not being addressed.
Chapped lips can be very annoying because, in addition to making us aware of the feeling of dryness and tension in this delicate area, they can present various injuries that, even when they have already healed, are uncomfortable.
Why do the lips become dry and chapped?
These are the main factors that can cause irritation and dryness on the skin of the lips:
- Cold: The cold wind in winter can cause cracks in the lips since the skin of the lips lacks sebaceous glands. Therefore, the skin of the lips cannot produce natural oils to protect against the cold and is easily irritated.
- UV rays: the skin of the lips is also very sensitive to the ultraviolet rays of the sun and cracks, burns and other injuries can appear if you expose yourself without protection.
- Dehydration: it is one of the most frequent causes of a feeling of dry lips. If the body does not receive enough water, the skin loses elasticity and the lips crack.
- Allergic reactions: Some cosmetic products and certain foods can cause irritation and cracking of the lips.
- Side effects of certain medications.
- Lack of vitamins: Some vitamins (such as A, B, C, E) are essential for maintaining good skin health, including lip skin, of course.
- Tobacco or chewing gum: anything that is in permanent contact with the lips can cause irritation.
- Underlying diseases: if you find that none of the factors mentioned above is the cause of dry lips, consult your doctor, as it could be a symptom of an underlying disease (diabetes, autoimmune diseases, among others).
How to prevent lips from drying out?
To relieve chapped lips, it is advisable to consider the following recommendations.
Drink enough water
One of the main causes of chapped lips is dehydration. Therefore, drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water daily will help prevent your lips from drying out. Drink even more water after exercising, on hot days, or if you have diarrhea.
Apply protective balms
There are lipsticks that contain cocoa butter, sunscreen, vitamins and aloe vera. This type of balm can help you prevent your lips from cracking due to cold or ultraviolet rays, among other factors.
Choose a cosmetic line that is hypoallergenic
Lipsticks can generally cause allergies and irritation. If you notice that when you apply any type of reaction, immediately eliminate it and do not use it again.
Always consult your doctor
Chapped lips may be the side effect of any medication you are taking or some other underlying problem. Therefore, before stopping the medication or taking any drastic action, it is recommended that you consult your doctor.