Lip cracking is usually the cracked appearance of the skin on the lips due to the effect of cold and dry air. In such weather, there is a feeling of tension that disturbs the person. Because of the sensation, the person wants to relax their lips by licking them, but this can create a cycle that causes the lips to dry out more. In order to treat lip cracks, products in the form of lipstick or in the form of creams can be used. If left untreated, if the lips are not adequately protected, problems such as inflammation, and the growth of cracks and turning into open wounds may be encountered.
What Causes Chapped Lips?
Lip cracking can be experienced due to weather changes and some diseases. Some of the factors that may answer the question of what causes chapped lips are as follows:
Prolonged exposure to sunlight without protection,
Low temperatures experienced during the winter months,
Insufficient intake of certain vitamins and minerals,
Insufficient moisturizing of the lips,
Contact with allergen metals,
Side effects due to the use of drugs such as diuretics, antibiotics, statins,
Allergies, thyroid problems and some autoimmune diseases,
The use of lip products with drying properties such as menthol, camphor, salicylic acid,
Consumption of high amounts of alcohol,
Lack of adequate water consumption.
Lips are more vulnerable because they are more sensitive than other parts of the skin and do not carry sebaceous glands. For this reason, care should be taken to moisturize regularly and use sunscreens. In people with cracked lips, the underlying causes are evaluated depending on the condition of the person. In a patient who experiences chapped lips during pregnancy , the reason may also be sudden changes in hormones during pregnancy.
What Causes Chapped Lips in Children?
In addition to being a problem that can be seen in people of all ages, chapped lips is more common in adolescents and children. Dryness of the lips may occur in children due to the habit of licking lips and the problem of drooling are more common. In addition, the removal of the crumbling skin around the lips can also increase the complaint of dryness and bleeding. In children with colds and flu complaints, breathing is maintained through the mouth due to nasal congestion. Chapped lips can also be seen due to mouth breathing. Cracked lips in babies can also be an indication of a breathing problem. At the same time, the complaint of vomiting in young babies can irritate the lips and lead to redness and cracks.
Children need their parents for their needs and care. Situations such as the child’s consumption of enough water and protection from cold and sun should be kept under control by the family. Regular and balanced nutrition can be effective in the formation of various other diseases as well as in the cracking of the lips. For this reason, parents should regulate and maintain the child’s nutrition with the support of a specialist if necessary.
How Does Chapped Lip Pass?
People who experience complaints of dry lips and cracked lips have complaints such as pain, pain and bleeding. Therefore, patients look for various ways for treatment. The treatments to be applied to remove cracks in the lips can be divided into improving the symptoms, correcting the underlying problems and taking precautions. Diagnostic methods such as allergy patch test, blood tests, biopsy can be used to determine the underlying symptoms. In some patients, only listening to the symptoms and performing a physical examination may be sufficient for diagnosis.
In order to ensure that the lips are deeply moisturized, perfume-free, non-allergenic moisturizing products should be preferred. Lips can be repaired with balms containing active ingredients such as mineral oils and ceramides. Substances with high fat content such as Vaseline and glycerin form a layer when applied on the lip and can greatly reduce the contact of the surface with the external environment. Especially when applied to the lips in the form of a mask before sleep, it can soften the crust-like hardened lip skin. If there are problems such as bleeding and infection in addition to the crack problem, antibiotic creams can be applied with the advice of a doctor. In some patients , cracked lip edges are caused by fungal infections. When such problems occur, antifungal products can be added to the treatment.
Some precautions can be taken to protect the lips after or during lip cracking treatment. Care should be taken to moisturize the lips, especially in dry, hot weather and cold winter days. As we use sunscreen regularly on our skin, products that provide sun protection specially prepared for the lips can be preferred.
How Many Days Does Lip Cracking Go Away?
If the necessary precautions are taken in patients with chapped lips and dryness, and the treatment is applied, the symptoms improve within 2-3 weeks. However, if there is no sign of improvement after 3 weeks despite the treatment applied, this may be a symptom of an underlying disease. In people who experience persistent dry lips, it may be necessary to diagnose the actual disease by performing the necessary blood and urine tests. Problems such as thyroid diseases, autoimmune diseases, herpes simplex infection, eczema, fungal infections can cause drying and cracking of the lips. In the presence of such diseases, treatment of the underlying disease may be needed for recovery. Depending on the type and severity of the disease, the recovery time may vary. It would be more appropriate to consult the doctor who performed the examination in order to get more detailed information about the duration.
Which Vitamin Deficiency Causes Cracked Lips?
Lip cracks can be associated with a deficiency of B vitamins and vitamin C. Vitamins also known as thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9), and cobalamin (B12) make up B vitamins. These vitamins generally undertake tasks such as cell renewal in the body, protection of skin tissue, and healing of wounds. In particular, the lack of vitamins B2, B6, B9 and B12 can cause dryness on the lips and skin. At the same time, insufficient intake of iron and zinc minerals into the body can also lead to dryness.
When signs of vitamin deficiency are observed in the body, this condition may not be determined only by controlling the symptoms. Complaints can also occur in the absence of vitamins with a similar effect. Blood tests are needed for a definitive diagnosis. A deficiency of vitamins and minerals can cause health problems, as well as an excess of them. For this reason, the use of supplements unconsciously should be avoided.
What disease is cracked lip a symptom of?
Chapped lips; It can occur due to conditions such as cold weather, sun rays, thirst, or it can manifest itself as a symptom of some diseases. Some of the diseases that cause lip cracks can be listed as follows:
Thyroid diseases,
Allergic problems,
Candida and similar fungal infections,
Viral infections such as herpes simplex and HIV,
Crohn’s disease,
Inflammatory bowel syndrome,
Seasonal diseases such as colds and flu,
infection of Leishmaniasis parasites spread by sandflies,
Eczema
Granulomatous cheilitis, which leads to painless and permanent swelling of the lips.
Dryness of the lips; In addition to being directly caused by a disease, it can also be seen as a side effect of drugs used in the treatment of some diseases. In the use of lithium, statins, diuretics, some antibiotics, digoxin compounds, dryness of the lips may occur. However, this condition is temporary and may resolve spontaneously when the use of drugs is stopped.
How Does Dry Lip Pass?
When experiencing dry lips, it can usually be resolved in a short time with the use of a fragrance-free, non-allergenic lip balm. In addition, medical treatment may be needed in dryness due to an illness, vitamin deficiency or allergy. Apart from medical treatment, some applications to improve dry lips may be preferred. Here are some of the suggestions that can be good for dry lips:
When sufficient water consumption is not provided during the day, symptoms of dehydration can be seen. One of these symptoms is dryness of the skin and lips. Drinking plenty of water on a regular basis can help.
Substances such as menthol, eucalyptus, perfume are used for various purposes in lip care products. These substances can cause dryness. When choosing products such as lip balms and creams, the ingredients can be carefully examined.
Like other parts of the body, the lips need to be protected from the sun’s rays. Sunscreen products specially prepared for the lips can be applied half an hour before going outside and refreshed later in the day. In addition, direct contact with sunlight can be reduced by using hats and visors.
Tension in the lips can make the person want to lick the lips. However, this can lead to further drying of the lips and a repetition of this cycle. In addition, pulling and tearing off the crumbling skin can cause open wounds.
Peels applied to renew the skin on the lips by peeling can cause dryness due to harsh and incorrect application. Therefore, it is not recommended to apply it. If it is necessary, it may be preferred to apply a suitable moisturizer to the lips after peeling.
By choosing a balm suitable for the person, the lips can be moisturized regularly. In cases where it is not enough, extra moisturizing can be done by using lip masks before going to bed at night and waking up in the morning.
In case of lip cracks that do not go away in 3 weeks or more despite all the interventions applied, it would be appropriate to make an appointment and apply for a doctor’s examination and start medical treatment.
