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SALT LAKE CITY — During the winter months, and especially in areas with dry climates, chapped lips are a real problem for many people. This is because the skin on your lips is rapidly sloughing off and being replaced. Keeping your lips healthy without adequate moisture in the air is very difficult for your body to do.
While the condition is uncomfortable and may be unsightly, there are many ways to treat it. Here are a few recommendations:
- DO NOT use lip balm on your lips frequently. Your body will not create moisture in your lips when you are artificially providing a moisture barrier for them. As a result, your lips get drier and you have to use more and more lip balm to keep up with the problem.
- If you have to use a lip balm, use a natural product. If your lips are really tender, use an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment two times a day.
- Try to not lick or bite your lips. Lip tissue is very sensitive and can be damaged quickly with little effort.
- Keep your whole body hydrated by drinking more fluids.
- Reduce gum chewing. This also creates dryness by replacing your body’s natural moisturizing techniques with chemicals from the gum.
- If you brush your teeth a lot or use mouthwash excessively, reduce both practices by half. Both can cause drying of the lip tissue.
- Reduce your intake of caffeine, as it removes moisture from tissues and creates dehydration states in your body.
- If you chew tobacco, or any herb, quit. This is one of most irritating things you can do for your skin health.
- Make sure you have a humidifier in your home to reduce the dryness whenever possible.
Suzanne Carlile, "Nurse Suzy," has been a nurse since 1982. Her main focus is critical care and nursing education. She holds a master's degree in nursing, is a Certified Emergency Nurse, and a member of NNSDO Intermountain West Chapter.
