What does chapped lips mean?

Why do lips get chapped?

Lips have thinner, more sensitive skin than much of the body and no oil glands, making them vulnerable to drying out. Cold weather, dry air, wind, sun exposure and dehydration are common triggers. Chapping can happen in hot weather as well as winter. Lip injuries, allergies and reactions to medicines such as retinoids can also cause dry or inflamed lips. Vitamin or mineral deficiencies are another possible cause, not something you can identify from chapping alone.14

Licking gives brief wetness but makes dryness worse as saliva evaporates. Repeated licking also removes the skin's natural grease, and saliva can irritate the lips. Picking or biting away flakes can cause bleeding and slow healing. Leave peeling skin alone rather than trying to pull it smooth.25

How to care for chapped lips

Lip balm forms a barrier that holds moisture in, which is a less elaborate job than the packaging sometimes suggests. For very dry, cracked lips, a thick ointment such as white petroleum jelly holds water in longer than waxes or oils.56

1. 1Wash your hands before applying lip balm. Do not share balm with other people, because that can spread germs.
2. 2Apply a nonirritating balm or lip ointment several times a day, including when you wake up and before bed. Reapply after eating or drinking.
3. 3Before going outdoors, apply a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher. For chapped lips, choose sun protection containing zinc oxide or titanium oxide. Reapply every two hours outdoors.
4. 4Cover your lips with a scarf in cold weather. Keep the air at home humid; a bedroom humidifier can help, particularly if you breathe through your mouth at night.
5. 5Drink enough water to avoid dehydration. When you catch yourself licking your lips, apply a nonirritating balm instead.

Keep a balm by your bed and another in your bag or pocket, so using it does not require a search operation.5

Which lip products should you avoid?

Choose fragrance free products, especially if fragranced balms bother you. While your lips are chapped, avoid menthol, camphor, eucalyptus, lanolin, salicylic acid and cinnamon, citrus, mint or peppermint flavoring. Stop any lip product that causes burning, stinging or discomfort. Those sensations mean irritation, not that the product is working. A pharmacist can help you choose a different balm and decide whether you need a doctor.246

How long do chapped lips take to heal?

Regular balm should ease discomfort while your lips heal. Expect noticeable improvement within two to three weeks of consistent care; severe cracking can take that long to recover fully. See a doctor if your lips worsen or have not improved after two to three weeks. Get medical advice sooner if your lips are hot, painful and swollen, or if you suspect infection. Have a persistent sore that will not heal checked as soon as possible.12456

Is every sore lip just chapping?

No. Red, sore mouth corners can be angular cheilitis, a form of inflammation often linked to bacteria or fungi. A small fluid filled blister, especially after tingling or itching, can be a cold sore. Persistent dryness or scaling also deserves assessment: allergies, infection and actinic cheilitis, a precancerous lip condition, can resemble ordinary chapping.246