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Topic 4. Tips for Dry, Chapped Lips

Dermatillomania skin picking. Woman has bad habit to pick her lips. Harmful addiction based on anxiety stress and dry lips. Excoriation disorder. Sick cracked damaged tissue.

7 Dermatologist Tips For Healing Dry, Chapped Lips

While it may seem that dry, cracked lips are something you must live with until spring comes, you can have soft, supple lips year-round. Here’s what dermatologists recommend.

1. Use non-irritating balm, lipstick, and other products to moisten your lips

Many people mistake discomfort, such as burning, stinging, or tingling, as a sign that the active ingredients in a product are working. That’s not what’s happening. You’re actually irritating your lips. Stop using these types of products to heal your lips.

 

2. Apply a non-irritating lip balm (or moisturizer) several times a day and before bed.

If your lips are very dry and cracked, try a thick ointment, such as white petroleum jelly. Ointment seals in the water longer than waxes or oils.

 

3. Stop licking, biting, and picking at your lips.

When lips feel dry, it may feel natural to wet them by licking them, but this can worsen the problem. Your lips become drier as saliva evaporates. Picking or biting your lips irritates them and prevents healing.
 
 
4. Slather on a non-irritating lip balm with SPF 30 or higher before going outdoors.

Even in winter, it’s important to protect your lips from the sun. The sun can burn dry, chapped lips more easily and trigger cold sores.
To protect your lips, use a lip balm that offers SPF 30 or higher, and one (or both) of these sun-protective ingredients: titanium oxide and zinc oxide

 

5. Drink plenty of water.

Chapped lips are dry lips so you want to stay hydrated.
 
 
6. Avoid holding items made of metal with your lips.
Paperclips, jewelry, and other everyday products made of metal can irritate your already sensitive lips.
 
 
7. Plug in a humidifier at home.
A humidifier in your bedroom can be beneficial, especially if you breathe through your mouth at night.
 
By following these tips, you should see a noticeable improvement in 2 to 3 weeks. To prevent your lips from chapping again, continue applying lip balm whenever it’s dry indoors or outdoors.
 
 
* When to see a dermatologist?
If after 2-3 weeks you don’t see improvement see, a board-certified dermatologist.
Your chapped lips could be caused by something other than dry weather. An allergic reaction, yeast infection, or something more serious can make your lips feel dry and uncomfortable. For example, actinic cheilitis is a precancerous condition that turns one or both lips dry and scaly. A board-certified dermatologist can accurately diagnose the cause.
 
*Information resources: https://www.aad.org

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