Why do lips dry out and crack and what emergency remedies are there for this?
Dry lips are a common problem that almost everyone faces.
This condition can be caused by various factors, both external and internal.
In advanced cases, cracks may appear on the lips, which can bleed and cause inflammation. Let's look at the causes of increased dryness of the lips, says Shigapova Nailya .
The skin on the lips differs from the skin of the face and the mucous membrane of the mouth. The lips do not have a multilayered epithelium that protects the deep layers of tissue from external influences, and there are no sebaceous and sweat glands that provide moisture.
Therefore, you have to unconsciously periodically moisten your lips with saliva. In addition, there are many blood vessels and nerve endings on the lips, which gives them a pink color and special sensitivity.
Dry lips can be caused by a variety of factors, such as:
- Dry indoor air;
- Using long-lasting lipsticks or aggressive lip cosmetics;
- The habit of licking or biting lips;
- Eating spicy foods;
- Trauma to the lips by teeth;
- Exposure to frost or sun without protection.
To moisturize and soften dry lips, it is recommended to use balms or lip balms with natural ingredients such as jojoba oil, shea butter, aloe vera, beeswax and ceramides.
It is advisable to avoid products with fragrances, dyes, acids, phenol, menthol and glitter, as they can further dry out and injure the delicate skin of the lips. To soften the lips, you can use natural products such as honey, coconut oil and aloe vera juice.
The cause of dry and cracked lips may be associated with a lack of important vitamins and microelements, such as A, E, B2, magnesium, iron and carotene.
To begin with, it is recommended to take a multivitamin complex for a month, and if the situation does not improve, you should consult a doctor to get tested and identify a specific deficiency.
Another cause of dryness can be dehydration, so it is important to drink enough water and limit coffee and alcohol consumption.
Herpes, dermatitis, eczema, candidiasis and bacterial infections can also affect the condition of the skin of the lips. If you suspect these diseases, you should consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Chronic diseases such as diabetes, Kawasaki syndrome, Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome, salivary gland disorders, scleroderma, tuberculosis and ichthyosis affect the condition of the lips and require specialist consultation to determine the cause and treatment.
To reduce dryness and cracks in the lips, it is recommended to avoid spicy foods, use moisturizing lip balms, not lick your lips outdoors in cold or windy weather, maintain a drinking regimen, and use a humidifier.
For dry and cracked lips, I recommend the following “emergency” measures:
- Lip massage using Vaseline: Apply a small amount of Vaseline to the skin of the lips and gently massage it for 2 minutes, then remove the Vaseline with a warm damp cloth and apply a moisturizing mask.
- Curd mask for lips: Mix a tablespoon of fatty cottage cheese with a little cream, apply the resulting mask to your lips for 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
- Olive Lip Mask: Cleanse your lips and apply vegetable oil, preferably olive oil, to keep your lips soft and supple.
- Cucumber mask for lips: Grate cucumber on a fine grater, apply the pulp to the skin of the lips for 15 minutes to moisturize and refresh.
- Lip Care with Vitamin E: Use vitamin E capsules, which can be purchased at the drugstore, for daily lip care and protection from the cold.
- Lip balm: Use special lip balms for moisturizing and protection from external influences (for example, Carmex and Eveline SOS Argan).
Earlier, the doctor spoke about mistakes made when washing dishes.
