Chapped Lips: When Should You See a Doctor?

If the eyes are likened to the windows to the soul, then the lips will be the main door. Lips that are dry, chapped, bleeding, and painful when smiling and talking will cause many communication limitations and low self-esteem in front of the opposite person. Since the skin on the lips is much thinner than the skin on the back and hands, this area is very vulnerable, even with a simple movement like licking your lips or when the weather changes.

Chapped lips are caused by the same cause that causes chafing anywhere on the body's skin, such as extremely dry environments, lack of water or even when the patient has a habit of licking their lips a lot. Saliva contains enzymes that are secreted to help digest food, not to moisturize the lips. When the air is especially dry, the humidity is low, licking the lips will cause the saliva to quickly evaporate, making the lips dry and chapped. This will lead to the top layer of skin drying out, causing them to shrink and separate from the layers below, causing bleeding.
Other causes of chapped lips are probably less obvious as well. These include exposure to citrus juices; are allergic to nickel (which is why metal objects like paper clips should not be put in your mouth) and consume too much vitamin A. Certain medications, including some used to treat blood pressure, acne, and dizziness, can also cause dry lips.
In some cases, chapped lips can also be caused by an allergy to the ingredients in toothpaste and lip products. Therefore, it is important to check whether the toothpaste you are using contains guaiazulene or sodium lauryl sulfate or the lipstick that contains propyl gallate or phenyl salicylate. If so, stop using these products and your lips may improve quickly.

Not licking lips is the most effective and simplest way to prevent dry lips.
Next, the patient should apply lip balm daily. If you do spend time outdoors, use a lip sunscreen with an SPF of 15 to 30 and reapply often. A word of caution, however, is that if your lips are already dry and chapped, stay away from chemical sunscreens that can aggravate this problem and only use physical sunscreens.
Meanwhile, always remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. The indoor environment should be adjusted with a humidifier, which humidifies the air and prevents lips from drying out. Get in the habit of breathing through your nose instead of your mouth because it can dry out your lips. Finally, do not take very hot showers or saunas, as this will make dry lips and even skin dryness worse.

The first important rule is mandatory lip balm. Users should look for a formula with natural moisturizing ingredients, such as vegetable oils, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone. The goal is not to heavily moisturize the lips but to create a barrier between the delicate skin in place and irritants, including dry air, saliva, and food or drink. It also helps soften scabs that the patient should not peel off with their fingers - doing so can create deeper cuts in the lips, making it harder for them to heal.
In addition, the patient may consider applying some honey. This works well because honey will attract moisture from the environment. However, it is important to stay away from offensive flavors such as mint, camphor and menthol; These ingredients make the lips thinner, more prone to peeling.
In the case of dry, cracked lips that bleed, over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams, which are an anti-inflammatory, can also help soothe chapped lips. However, use these products sparingly, as creams containing particularly potent cortisone can thin the skin. At the same time, users should also not use the cream that the doctor has prescribed for other parts of the body to apply to the lips.

If you've been self-treating your lips for four or five days and they're getting worse - or notice open cracks on their own, with the appearance of yellow, pus-filled discharge - The lips may have become infected. At this time, the patient needs to see a dermatologist as soon as possible.
The cause of dry chapped lips can be due to an allergy to the ingredients in the lip balm, such as some preservatives, perfumes or colorants. And sometimes, persistent chapped lips indicate an underlying medical problem that only a doctor can help diagnose. These conditions include reactive cheilitis, which is caused by overexposure to the sun; thyroid disease; Psoriasis; or lupus, which causes photosensitivity on the lips. Accordingly, the patient also needs to go to the doctor soon if the dry, chapped lips persist all year round, with many treatments without improvement.
In summary, dry, cracked lips bleeding is an uncomfortable condition, causing poor aesthetics and common in life. Some simple adjustments like breaking the habit of licking your lips, drinking enough water, and using lip balm can quickly improve the appearance of your lips. However, if the lips are dry, chapped and bleeding for a long time, this could be a sign of an underlying medical condition, or if the lips are infected, it is important to see a dermatologist soon for a diagnosis and treatment. Restorative treatment for the health and beauty of the lips.
Clinical Dermatology Specialist Vinmec International General Hospital undertakes diagnosis, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of diseases in the specialty of Leprosy and Dermatology. With a team of leading medical doctors, the system With a system of modern technological equipment, the hospital provides comprehensive and professional medical examination, consultation and treatment services; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.

References: health.usnews, webmd.com