How to avoid cracked lips? Causes and remedies

Meteorological conditions

Croting for cold weather is caused by environmental conditions that lead to dehydration.In other words, dry winter air can undermine the moisture of the lips and leave them dry.The same goes for wind conditions.

Too much sun can also be a guilty factor.Sun damage can dry the lips and cause cracking and peeling (especially if we do not apply cream with SPF on the lips).

Dehydration

The characteristic dryness of the cracked lips can also occur if we do not stay well hydrated.One of the effects of dehydration is dry skin, which extends to the skin of the lips.

Other signs of dehydration can be thirst, dark yellow urine, headache, feeling of fatigue or slowness, or constipation.

Allergies to products

It can be contradictory, but a lipstick can be the culprit, since the prophyllus galate in the lipstick can cause contact allergy.If we have started using a new lipstick and we notice that the lips are drier than usual, we may want to stop using that product.

On the other hand, it could be toothpaste.Some pastes contain Guiazulene or lauril sulfate sodium, which can cause contact or irritation allergy of the skin.It is recommended to check the ingredient label, especially if we start using a new toothpaste.

Irritant in food

The red dye or cinnamon flavor that is used in sweets, pills, chewing rubber and oral rinse can also cause cracked lips.Another common guilty can be orange juice.

The juice of citrus fruits can irritate the lips and cause a reaction that seems cracked lips.It is recommended to drink a lot of water to avoid this side effect.

Reactions to certain vitamins

Algunas personas piensan que los labios secos son causados ​​por una deficiencia de vitaminas, pero es más probable que ingieras demasiado de un determinado nutriente. Por ejemplo, demasiada vitamina A puede provocar la descamación de los labios, especialmente si estamos tomando más de 25.000 UI al día.

There are also some people can develop cobalt allergy for taking vitamin B12 supplements.In general, it manifests itself as inexplicable episodes of recurring swelling and formation of scabs on the lips, worsened by exposure to wind and sun.

Medical conditions

Actinic cheilitis is a reaction to long -term exposure on the lips that occurs more frequently in people living in high altitudes or near Ecuador and working outdoors.

Candida (yeast) is an infection that is usually shown as a cracking on the outer lip and is particularly common among people with diabetes.Another condition is hypothyroidism, which happens when not enough thyroid hormone is created (more common in women assigned at birth that are greater than 60).

Stress

Continuous contact with saliva, which is chemically constituted to help decompose and digest food, can dehydrate and irritate the lips.Many people completely ignore this habit.

We can ask friends and family if we have a tendency to lick or bite our lips when we are nervous.Thus we can try to be more aware of the behavior to avoid it.We can also try to find healthier ways to control stress, such as deep breathing or meditation.

Remedies for cracked lips

Agrieted lips can normally be treated at home.The first step is to make sure the lips have enough humidity.This can be achieved through some tips.

Address the underlying cause

Si los labios agrietados están causados ​​por algo que está bajo nuestro control, como cierto producto o alimentos que estamos comiendo, podemos resolver el problema evitando el irritante.

Similarly, if the symptoms are due to vitamin A or B12 supplements that we are taking, we will talk to a doctor about how to adjust the dose or if we can change to a different administration method (such as injections, for example).

And if we believe it can have a medical condition, we will talk to your doctor about the appropriate treatment steps and the best way to control the symptoms.

Apply petroleum jelly

The best for cracked lips are emollients such as petroleum jelly.Lip balms with bees wax could also help.However, coherence is key here.

To work, it is necessary to apply them obsessively.The more frequent the application of the emollient, the faster the results will be.However, this is a short and fast solution.But if the cause is medical, we will continue to have cracked lips.

Sun exposure can also cause cracked lips, especially as we age.Apply a lip balm containing a minimum SPF of 15 before going outdoors.The balm helps hydrate lips and sunscreen minimizes the effects of dryness.

Drink more water

If dehydration is behind the dry lips, we will try to obtain more water during the day (especially if we exercise).Most adults need to drink between 9 and 12.5 cups of water per day.

We can also try to light a humidifier, since it allows to restore moisture in the air and helps prevent and cure the cracked lips.

Hydrocortisone ointment

If the lips resist treatment, doctors can prescribe a 2.5 percent hydrocortisone ointment, which can be applied up to four times a day.

It is amazing how the addition of an ointment with low power steroids can make such a large difference in a lip healing routine.However, these types of medications are not free sale and it is necessary for a doctor to analyze the situation.It may not be necessary in all cases.