7 Common Reasons For Dry Lips And Their Treatment
Ever wondered why lips dry faster than hands or even face? It is so because lips don’t have oil glands like other parts. The absence of oil glands makes lips more susceptible to drying out in adverse weather and other conditions. So try dry lips treatment at home.
Is Drying Of Lips A Cause Of Worry?
If you ask a dermatologist about dry lips treatment, the dermatologist will prescribe a lip balm and suggest drinking more water to stay hydrated. Also, you could be prescribed vitamin supplements to drying of your lips. Or you can try a home remedy like applying coconut oil, aloe vera gel, or honey to your lips.
Most people have dry lips in winter due to cold conditions but some people have dry lips throughout the year. If you are one of them, you need to explore the possible reasons for dry lips. While there is little to worry about using a lip balm or any other home treatment for dry lips, it is always better to take precautions better than cure.
Some Common Reasons For Dry Lips
Here we’ll discuss some common reasons to dry lips so you can find the culprit that is drying out your lips and take the necessary precautions to prevent dry lips.
You’re Exposed To Dry Air
If your lips are dry out only in winter, you are constantly exposed to dry air. The lack of moisture in the air, especially during winter days can cause dry lips. If you live in an area where you experience low humidity year-round, you are likely to face dry lips all year. Also, your sensitivity to a drop in moisture due to temperature changes could trigger dry lips.
Treatment: You can manage the situation with any over-the-counter lip balm. Or you can try a home remedy like sugar exfoliation, aloe vera gel, coconut oil, and honey.
You’re Dehydrated
Since lips don’t have oil glands or even the superficial layer of skin, they show signs of dehydration faster than the other areas. And you can experience dry lips in any season due to dehydration. But this problem will aggravate during the winter season.
Treatment: You should start drinking plenty of water at least 11.5 cups of fluids a day or beverages like fruit juices. Also, you can increase your consumption of juicy fruits like cucumber and stay hydrated. Any lip balm treatment for dry lips will work well only when you are properly hydrated.
You’re Exposed To UV Rays
If you face dry lips condition even in summer even after drinking plenty of water then it should be due to your exposure to the sun. You should know that lips don’t have a superficial layer of skin that can save them from UV rays. In this situation, if you are exposed to the sun, it is likely to fry your lips. The UV rays will cook the moisture out of your lips leaving them dry.
Treatment: Always wear a quality SPF lip balm on your lips before stepping out in the sun. Also, you can try a prescription balm on the recommendation of your dermatologist.
You’re Vitamin Deficient
Dermatologists often associate chapping of lips with a deficiency of vitamin B, especially the B12 vitamin. It is an important vitamin as it helps with cell growth, healing, and cell turnover. And for this reason, even a slight deficiency in vitamin B12 could lead to dry lips condition.
Sometimes lips dry due to lack of vitamin A. But it happens in rare cases as most diets contain enough vitamin C. Whether you are vitamin deficient can be determined by a lab test.
Treatment: If your blood test shows vitamin deficiency, you will need supplements for the vitamins you are deficient in. It is only after taking vitamins in a proper amount that you can treat your dry lips.
You’ve Got A Habit Of Licking Your Lips
Every time you run your tongue over your lips, you digest your lips leaving them dry and chapped. And if you are doing it several times a day or you have been licking your lips a bunch, you will always have dry lips. In other words, your lips will never look natural and beautiful.
The tongue contains saliva that has enzymes that break fats, proteins, and carbohydrates when mixed with food. The enzymes in your saliva do the same to your lips. The saliva digests the proteins and fats present on the lips.
Treatment: Stop licking your lips and start using a quality lip moisturizer whenever you have the urge to lick. Always carry the moisturizer so you don’t your lips.
You’re Having An Allergic Reaction
If you’re properly hydrated, don’t lick your lips, and take nutritious food then your dry lips condition could be due to an allergy and the allergen could be in your makeup, skincare product, or even your toothpaste. For example, taking cinnamic acid or cinnamon derivatives is a common allergen found in toothpaste.
Having a metal mouth implant or dental implant could also be a source of allergy. Every time your lips come in contact with the implant, they will develop allergies like itching and redness.
Treatment: There is little you can do to treat an allergic reaction. In this situation, you need to talk to your dermatologist.
You’ve Yeast Undergrowth
Having an underbite and drooling in sleep are the common reasons for developing yeast undergrowth. It is an infection in the mouth area and this infection can make the skin amount your mouth flaky. Also, it could lead to the development of fissures. Dry lips can also be associated with yeast undergrowth.
Treatment: You need to talk to your dermatologist for the treatment of yeast infection. You will be prescribed anti-fungal medicines to control the further development of the yeast.
Conclusion:
The key to fighting peeling lips is to find the underlying cause like dehydration and vitamin deficiency and remove that cause. Any other method of treating dry lips like applying lip balms will work only when there is no underlying condition for dry lips.
Disclaimer: The above information is for educational purposes only and the readers are advised to consult experienced dermatologists for dry lips.
