Our lips have millions of nerve endings and are much more sensitive than the fingertips and need special care. Some of the times they signal that we have some serious health issues and we are required to pay proper attention towards that.
Winter is a hard time for both oily and dry skin. The outdoor air when combined with indoor heat may dehydrate the skin and can cause lips to crack, peel, and even bleed.
Peeled and cracked lips could be a symptom of a number of things such as allergy, dehydration, vitamin deficiency, etc. Yes, the reason behind the chapped lips is licking the lips, but that’s always not the reason behind the rough skin, there are some other reasons as well. We believe that along with eyes, lips could be the mirror of your health and these signs are the indication that you could have some problems:
You consume a lot of spicy and salty food
If you are the biggest consumer of salty and spicy food, this could be the reason behind your chapped lips. Salty food especially that has a lot of salt on the outside may definitely affect the skin. Saltwater holds water, so it can absorb the water away from the lips and then dry them out. Spicy food may also cause skin irritation and water loss.
You have a habit of licking your lips
According to Adelaide Naturopath, this is the worst thing that you do for your dry lips. Our saliva is comprised of enzymes that are meant to break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, which are what your lips exactly made up of. When you do so, you are just digesting your lips. You must keep a moisturizer with you all the time, whenever you feel an urge to lick, just swipe instead.
Too Much Exposure on Sun
The top layer of skin is already missed on your lips with built-in UV protection. If you’re exposed to the sun, without lip balm, there are much higher chances of getting peeled lips. The sun cooks the water out of the skin and leaves it drier in the areas that are on the drier side. The inflammation from sunburn may leave the lips peeling since the skin cells turn over and try to replenish. Exposure to the sun for so long may stiff the lips and dry them and result in splitting or cracking. During the coldest winter days, ensure to use a lip product with SPF.
Medication
Some of the medications can also lead to dried and peeling lips. Anti-depressants, chemotherapy, High Blood Pressure medicines drugs are amongst that dry the lips. These drugs reduce the production of saliva that may dry the lips and mouth. You must contact your doctor if you believe that medicine is the reason behind dry lips.
Yeast Overgrowth
Your cracked could also be the symptom of yeast infection. This can be noticed especially if you have cracks around the corner of your mouth. When you lick your lips too much, moist saliva encourages the yeast to grow. This infection could lead to dry and flaky skin around the mouth. Staying outside of a yeast infection includes staying hydrated with plenty of water and preventing liquidation.
Deficient of Vitamin
It gives energy, helps to boost the immune system and fights off diseases, and is a contributor to good skin. Its deficiency may lead to cracked and red lips and are accompanied by rashes around the mouth. Without sufficient Vitamin B in your body, you could suffer from skin issues like dry lips. You must consume plenty of Vitamin-B rich foods to ensure that you are not deficient in it.
TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF CHAPPED LIPS
The chapped lips can be easily treated at home. To begin with, you must ensure that your lips have enough moisture. This could be fulfilled by:
- Drinking plenty of water
- Using a humidifier at home
- Applying a lip balm for the whole day
Over-exposure to the sun may also cause chapped lips, especially when you age up. Don’t forget to apply a lip balm before stepping outdoor, it moisturizes your lips and sunscreen lowers the drying effects.
