What is the medical term for chapped lips?

What does cheilitis mean?

Chapping describes cracking, splitting and peeling of the skin on the lips. Cheilitis describes inflammation, rather than one particular disease. Cheilitis names the inflammation, not its cause. Infection, irritation, allergy, medication, injury and nutritional deficiency can all cause lip inflammation. Treatment depends on which cause is involved.12

Are all types of cheilitis just chapped lips?

Eczematous cheilitis is also called lip dermatitis. It can come from atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema, or from irritating or allergic contact reactions. Lip licking is a major irritant cause. Lip products, toothpaste, foods and dental materials can be sources of allergens, substances that trigger an allergic reaction. More than one trigger can be involved.4

Ordinary chapping is usually temporary. Lip eczema tends to last longer and can come and go, with clear periods between flares. It can affect either lip or both and spread to the surrounding skin. Itching, redness, scaling and soreness can accompany the cracks. Lip eczema itself is not contagious, although some infectious forms of cheilitis are.6

How do you treat ordinary chapped lips?

Sun, wind and cold air can dry the lips, making the skin tight and prone to splitting. Lip balm acts as a protective barrier, which is a more useful job than giving dryness a longer name, however impressive the syllables look on paper. A balm containing petroleum helps seal in moisture, a job description mercifully shorter than the lip care aisle. If fragranced products irritate your lips, choose an unfragranced option; a pharmacist can help you find a suitable product.3

1. 1Apply lip balm or ointment when you wake up and whenever your lips feel dry.
2. 2Reapply after eating and drinking, and use an ointment before bed.
3. 3Before going outdoors, apply a lip product with SPF 30 or higher. Reapply about every two hours outdoors.
4. 4Stop using a product if it causes stinging, burning or tingling.

Avoid licking your lips: saliva evaporates and repeated wetting removes the skin's natural grease, leaving the lips drier. Do not pick or bite loose flakes, because this causes bleeding and slows healing. Covering your lips with a scarf outdoors in winter can also help protect them from drying conditions, giving lip care an unexpected knitwear department.3

How long should healing take?

Regular lip balm should ease discomfort while the skin heals. Complete recovery averages two to three weeks, although severe chapping can take longer. See a doctor if your lips worsen, remain unimproved after a few weeks of care, or bleed frequently despite treatment. A persistent sore that does not heal needs prompt assessment.35

What if lip balm is not enough?

A doctor can examine your lips and review your symptoms and medical history to identify the cause. An infection swab or a small skin sample, called a biopsy, is sometimes needed. For suspected allergic lip eczema, patch testing can help identify triggers, including your own lip products or toothpaste. Treatment then targets the cause rather than dryness alone.24

A clinician can recommend moisturizers or a steroid ointment for lip eczema. Infected lips sometimes need an antibiotic or antifungal cream. Seek medical care for severe open or bleeding sores, or hives with swelling around the lips, face or eyes. Call emergency services immediately for trouble breathing or swallowing.36