The upper lip is rough. Why does the skin peel off on your lips and what to do about it. What to do to treat lip skin

The sayings of the ancient Chinese “aesculapians” that have come down to us from the depths of thousands of years say: “The face is a mirror image of health and all diseases are written on it, beauty and health are inseparable.”

If you take this seriously, this phrase contains truth. You cannot boast of a “blooming appearance” if your insides are gnawed by illness. There are actually five zones on the face by which the condition of the body can presumably be diagnosed. What can be determined by the external condition of flaky lips, and how does modern medicine interpret this?

Reasons why lips dry, crack and peel

Due to the fact that a person’s lips are not protected by anything and are covered with very thin, delicate and sensitive skin, devoid of sebaceous glands, they are very susceptible to external negative influences. And this is the most harmless reason that causes dryness, peeling and cracking of lips.

However, there are a great many reasons that cause such an unpleasant symptom. When unpleasant and painful manifestations do not respond to treatment for a long time, the cause begins to be sought among internal disorders in the body. Since the state of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system and dental problems are projected onto the mouth area, the search for the root cause begins in this direction.

But there is another reason, it is the most probable, because it can manifest itself as a result of a wide variety of influences. This is an inflammatory disease of the lips - cheilitis.

There are several main forms and manifestations of cheilitis:

• exfoliative;
• glandular;
• meteorological and actinic.

The symptomatic manifestation is as varied as its variations - manifested by atopic and eczematous forms, chronic fissures and other signs.

1. Cheilitis of the exfoliative form. The impetus for development is a decrease in immune functions. A hereditary factor cannot be ruled out. Mental imbalance and stressful situations contribute to the development of the disease.

The dry form is manifested by redness and peeling of the skin along the border of the lips, the formation of light, easily removable dry crusts. Dry skin develops a constant habit of moisturizing the lips by licking them with the tongue, aggravating the situation with additional chapping and the formation of skin peeling in the corners of the lips

With exudative manifestations, swelling of the lips, hyperemia, burning and soreness are noted. Easily removable yellow-gray crusts appear between the labial border and mucous tissue.

2. Grand form caused by inflammatory reactions in the salivary glands located in the area of ​​the labial border. From small red dots, droplets of salivary secretions constantly appear on the border, in the form of dew. Constant moisture and evaporation of liquid causes flaky and dry lips. Because of this, cracks and erosion appear. Penetration of infection into the inflamed glands is manifested by purulent formations, swelling and severe pain.

3. Meteorological cheilitis– a consequence of the influence of external factors: humidity, frost or cold. The development of inflammatory disease is influenced by the presence of chronic skin pathologies and structural features of the skin. Signs of the disease include hyperemia, swelling, tightness, dry skin and constant peeling of the lips. Often there is an irresistible desire to moisturize them. Prolonged course is complicated by the formation of cracks.

4. Actinic appearance inflammatory disease of the lips is caused by an increased reaction to the influence of ultraviolet radiation, each time worsening with prolonged exposure to sunlight. Lips become red, dry, scaly and cracked. Areas of compaction and long-lasting erosive lesions form on the lips. If such signs appear with enviable regularity, this indicates a chronic process and a possible process of malignancy. (degeneration into oncological formations).

5. Thomas atopic cheilitis manifests itself with signs characteristic of skin pathologies - neurodermatitis or atopic dermatitis. The lips and the border surrounding them become very red and dry, and cracks appear. The skin above the lip peels, there is a burning sensation and itchy symptoms. All this may be the result of an allergic reaction to medications, house dust, pollen, bacteria and microorganisms, as well as food.

6. Eczematous form inflammatory disease. It happens that a sign of peeling of the lips is a consequence of a neuroallergic process, manifested by the general symptoms of eczematous development. In acute cases, bubble formations, scales, crusts and swelling appear on the hyperemic labial outline.

All these “delights” burn, itch, and are accompanied by painful symptoms. The pathological reaction covers the adjacent skin. With a protracted chronic process, the signs of swelling and hyperemia are less pronounced, but the affected skin thickens and becomes covered with scales and peeling.

7. Often signs of cheilitis are manifested by structural tissue disorders in the form of the formation of a deep transverse, long-healing and very painful crack on the edging labial border. Its formation is facilitated by stress, trauma, addictions and chronic pathologies. If healing does not take place for a long time, a dark crust appears on the crack, the adjacent tissues swell and become inflamed.

The inflammatory process spreads to the tissue surface of the lips, causing redness and peeling of the skin in the corners of the lips. It is clear that healing is difficult, which is hampered by the constant movement of the lips while eating or talking. Even after healing, possible relapses occur in the same location, and the frequent appearance of cracks increases the risk of malignancy.

It is characteristic that the development of cheilitis is preceded by inept treatment of peeling lips, which appears due to exposure to the external environment, infection, or inept use of cosmetics that disrupt the nutritional functions of the lips and contribute to the development of inflammatory processes. Therefore, to increase the effectiveness of treatment, you need to know exactly what to do for flaky lips.

Lips peel and crack - what to do, how to treat?

If your lips have been peeling and cracking for a long time, and are not amenable to self-treatment, you need to think about possible problems within the body that contribute to this. And only a doctor can solve this issue by conducting the necessary examination.

The treatment program for peeling lips is drawn up according to the final diagnosis and includes:

• The use of soothing and sedatives, indifferent creams for lubricating the affected skin of the lips, made on the basis of lanolin, petroleum jelly, salicylic or boric acid. Such ointments are not absorbed by the affected skin, but help soften the keratinized flaky layer of the epidermis and, then, easily remove the resulting scales. At the same time, Bucca therapy procedures (radiation radiation) can be prescribed if problematic traces of peeling remain on the lips, as well as the drug “Pyrogenal”, which improves metabolic processes.
• For severe inflammatory processes, Prednisalone or Hydrocartisone ointments and protective corticosteroid creams in the form of Flucinar help.
• For enlarged salivary glands, an electrocoagulation procedure is performed, or excision of problem areas of the enlarged glands.
• The established fact of an allergic effect on the appearance of cracking and peeling of the epidermis of the lips is stopped by the antiallergic drugs “Suprastin”, “Claritin”, “Fenkarol”. Vitamin complexes, corticosteroid drugs and ointments such as Afloderma and Ceralipa, lotions with chamomile or tea infusion are prescribed. An anti-allergenic diet is recommended.
• In case of development of eczematous pathology, antimicrobial drugs “Sinalar-N”, “Lorinden-S”, or “Dexocord” and local treatment with corticosteroid ointments are used.
• Treatment of chronic cracks on the lips is carried out with various ointments containing antibiotics - “Dibiomycin”, “Tetracycline”. Anti-inflammatory ointments: "Indomethacin", corticosteroids "Dermozolonova" or "Sinolar" ointments, antimicrobial "Nistitin" or "Lovorin". As epithelializing applications - oil solutions with vitamin A, rose hips and calendula, Shostakovsky balm.

To enhance therapeutic therapy, physiotherapeutic procedures in the form of endonasal electrophoresis, UHF and ultrasound therapy or UV irradiation can be prescribed. In the presence of infiltrative manifestations - a course of phonophoresis. It should be noted that treatment of the skin of the lips only with external means is very slow, and the prescription of the necessary drugs for internal use is selected individually.

Only timely comprehensive treatment of flaky, inflamed and cracked lips can achieve a complete cure and prevent the processes of malignancy (transition), which occur in more than 3% of patients.

If the eyes are considered the mirror of the soul, then the lips can be safely called the main indicator of self-care. Banal inattention to oneself and one’s health is reflected in the development of cosmetic defects. Skin redness, peeling, loss of color, cracking... Painful and far from attractive conditions are easier to prevent than to overcome. But, as a rule, there are no difficulties in solving problems. It is only important to determine why your lips are peeling. And solve the problem correctly.

Tender and defenseless: why lips are the first to react to environmental changes

If lips crack, peel and peel, the cause in most cases is a change in environmental conditions. Rough lips sometimes sting and cause discomfort. They are the first to respond to cold or heat, excessively dry air and lack of moisture. This happens because the lips lack sebaceous and sweat glands that control the condition of our skin. They do not have natural lubrication that would reduce the aggressiveness of external influences.

That is why cosmetologists recommend using special lip products that help moisturize them and keep them healthy. In winter, be sure to use chapstick. It creates a protective film and prevents the skin from drying out. Before going to bed, you should moisten your sponges with balm. You also need to drink a lot of fluids, since dry indoor air during the heating season literally pulls fluid from the inside, creating dry skin and causing flaking of the lips. The reasons, however, lie not only in this. Let's look at the main conditions that cause lips to itch and peel.

5 causes of inflammation and peeling

1. Weathering. Licking your lips in the wind is strictly forbidden, neither in winter nor in summer. In winter, the icy wind dries them out, and in the summer, the hot wind dries them out. A sign of peeling due to chapping is the gradual development of the disease. Today we feel that the skin is slightly tightened (and we lick it again and again). And tomorrow painful cracks appear on it. What to do if your lips dry out and peel due to chapping? Look after them! Be sure to moisturize and apply a high-quality balm several times a day. Before going to bed, you can prepare it and then apply an active nourishing cream to your lips.
2. Allergy. In this condition, the lips constantly become peeling, peeling, and also become inflamed. Visually, one can notice intense inflammation of the border, which becomes painful to the touch. The cause of the problem is often the use of low-quality cosmetics. It is enough to get rid of old or cheap lipstick to restore the health of your lips. If the problem persists, try corticosteroid ointment. It’s better to consult a dermatologist who will suggest treatment.
3. Burn. If your lips are peeling, the reasons should be sought not only in hypothermia. In summer, it is very easy to get a burn on this delicate area of ​​the skin, especially if you are under the intense daytime sun without protection. The burn is manifested by soreness and swelling of the lips, and is also noted by dry mouth, itching and burning of the inflamed area. To eliminate the problem, use anti-burn agents (Panthenol, Rescuer). And in the future, do not leave the house without lubricating your sponges with a balm with a UV filter.
4. Lack of vitamins. This condition can be determined by cracks in the skin of the lips and urticaria around them. Normalizing your diet and taking multivitamins will help eliminate the problem, but only on the recommendation of a doctor.
5. Unhealthy Lifestyle. If your lips are constantly peeling and losing color, you should look for the cause in your lifestyle. Our lips are sensitive to excess alcohol, caffeine and nicotine, and begin to “wither” during periods of stress and lack of sleep. By eliminating negative factors, you can quickly return them to a healthy appearance.

How to support your lip skin

Situation: lips are very peeling, what to do often worries us when there is simply nothing left to endure. And the problem of a cosmetic defect acquires pain and inflammation. But it’s much easier to avoid such difficulties. To do this, you should pay only a little attention to the sponges.

• Feed them with vitamins - A and E are especially valuable. You can buy them at the pharmacy in capsules, open one daily and lubricate your lips. You can use fish oil if the taste doesn't bother you.
• Do a massage - once a week with any vegetable oil is enough. You can massage with your fingers for a couple of minutes, or you can use a soft toothbrush. This procedure will restore skin tone.
• Lubricate with honey - a simple home remedy works no worse than salon treatment. Apply honey on and around your lips, wait until it is absorbed, and wash with warm water.
• Tone with ice - rubbing your lips with a piece of ice in the morning, you will always keep them in good shape and give them a rich natural color.
• Use it - apply it on its own or under lipstick. Be sure to use before going outside in winter and summer.

These simple care rules will keep your lips beautiful and healthy. And you will forget about the problem of peeling for a long time!

Cracked lips are a problem that requires immediate attention. They not only look sloppy, but are also subconsciously associated with poor health and low social status of their owner.

For proper treatment, it is necessary to find out why lips often crack. The condition of the skin is an indicator of how the body is working, and dryness can signal problems.

Why do lips peel?

If your lips are cracking and dry, you should start by examining the possible causes. Sometimes you may need the help of a doctor. Before contacting a specialist, an independent analysis of the likely options is carried out.

There are external and internal factors:

1. The first includes aggressive environmental influences. It is easy to neutralize with the help of protective agents.
2. The latter originate inside the body. These are various diseases and infections. If they are diagnosed in time, elimination will take place quite quickly.

If you are unable to figure out on your own why your lips are dry and cracked, a therapist will help determine the causes and treatment. If dryness and cracks appear, he will give a referral for tests or to a specialist: a dermatologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist.

Consequences of vitamin deficiency

If earlier this factor was of a seasonal nature, today it is more likely associated with dietary habits, which is why lips crack.

What vitamins are missing in the diet:

• First of all, these are A and E. They are responsible for elasticity and provide firmness.
• If your lips are dry, you may have a vitamin C deficiency. Ascorbic acid stimulates the synthesis of collagen fibers.
• B vitamins provide good metabolism. Without them, metabolism slows down significantly, and regeneration processes are sluggish.

Influence of weather conditions

Another common factor that causes lips to become very dry is prolonged exposure to the open air. Wind, frost or scorching sun cause moisture to evaporate from the surface of the skin.

For this reason, peeling is observed, and in advanced cases, deep cracks appear. If a person's lips dry out in winter, the cause is often seasonal.

Bad habits

Smoking leads to ascorbic acid deficiency, and drinking alcohol causes dehydration in the body. To ensure peeling on the lips, these reasons are already enough, but bad habits also cause more serious consequences.

One of the reasons why lips dry and crack is general intoxication of the body. The appearance of cracks on the lips is one of the symptoms of liver problems.

The habit of licking your mouth and touching it with your hands should be eradicated. A surface moistened in this way quickly dries out, and you risk getting an infection.

Internal diseases

If a person’s lips are constantly dry, painful sensations appear and the use of softening lipsticks does not help, this is a reason to consult a doctor. This minor symptom sometimes helps to diagnose diabetes mellitus at an early stage.

The list of reasons why lips dry out:

• low hemoglobin level;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• weakening of the body's protective functions;
• dysbacteriosis;
• herpes;
• fungal diseases.

The surface can also dry out due to problems that are localized in the oral cavity. In this case, the picture is complemented by a rough tongue and lack of saliva.

The following are the causes of oral problems:

• Drying of the mucous membrane as a result of a runny nose or other causes of breathing problems.
• Course of antibiotics.
• Increased body temperature- it can be high during illness. Some people have a constant temperature above normal; this is an individual feature.
• Periodontal disease and other gum diseases. In this case, bad breath appears.
• Poor salivation with damage to the glands.

Dry lips during pregnancy

The problem of cracks may be associated with the “interesting” position of the woman.

• In the first trimester the expectant mother often suffers from toxicosis. Poor appetite and nausea lead to vitamin deficiency. If your lips dry and peel in the first months of pregnancy, the reason for this is vitamin deficiency.
• In the second and third trimesters the load on the organs responsible for removing waste products from the body increases. They take on double duty. The skin is part of the excretory system and is negatively affected by accumulated toxins.
• Dry lips during pregnancy may be caused by changes in a woman's hormonal levels.. The level of progesterone in the blood increases. Typically, this hormone has a beneficial effect on female beauty, but each case is individual. The endocrine system is a very delicate and complex mechanism, so you can only determine exactly what your hormonal levels are by taking tests.

If a woman experiences dryness and flaking during pregnancy, she should consult the doctor who is monitoring her. Before this, only hygienic lipstick is allowed to be used.

Lack of moisture

The simplest, but very common reason is a lack of clean water. It is customary to start the morning with a cup of coffee or juice. During the day they drink soda, tea, cocoa and various cocktails. All these drinks do not satisfy the body's fluid needs, so the cells suffer from dehydration.

Peeling lips are often a sign that a person is not drinking enough water.

Allergic reaction

Another reason that lips become dry and flaky is allergies. If a woman’s lips become dry and peeling after buying a new lipstick, then this is a sure sign of an allergic reaction. In addition to decorative cosmetics, the allergen may be contained in face and body care products.

Peeling can be caused by medications or foods. In addition to burning and dryness, swelling may occur. Sometimes only the upper lip swells and dries.

There are often other symptoms:

• runny nose;
• lacrimation;
• redness;
• appearance of a rash.

Symptom of cheilitis

Dry lip skin may be the first symptom of the development of cheilitis. This is an inflammatory process that affects the oral mucosa and the surface around it, which develops gradually.

If your lips are always dry and there are pockets in the corners of your mouth, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately. Timely measures will prevent the development of cheilitis.

How to get rid of dry lips?

If dry lips appear, then its causes and treatment are interconnected. Therefore, if discomfort on the lips is just the “tip of the iceberg,” you should start by eliminating the internal causes. In this case, only a doctor will determine how to correctly correct problems in the body.

However, you can improve your skin condition on your own.

Lip massage

A light massage will help restore smoothness. It is carried out using a toothbrush with soft bristles. In order not to damage the delicate skin, it must be lubricated with greasy cream, Vaseline or oil. With light circular movements without pressure, the surface of the lips is stimulated 3-4 times a day.

Massage will ensure a good supply of oxygen to tissues and improve the delivery of nutrients.

When lips are very dry, cracked and peeling, massage cannot be performed. You should wait until it heals to prevent harmful bacteria from entering.

Lip peeling

A cosmetic procedure that should not be forgotten if a woman has dry lips is peeling. When the layer of keratinized cells becomes too thick, the blood supply is disrupted and the surface begins to crack. In order to remove dead particles in a timely manner, the procedure is carried out once a week.

Very dry lips can be cleaned with a gentle peeling, which can be purchased at any cosmetic store. Its effect is weaker, so it needs to be done 2 times every 7 days. You shouldn’t be zealous; the fragile layer of the epidermis dries out a lot after frequent peelings.

Hydration

When your lips dry out, they constantly hurt and don't let you get distracted. Small cracks quickly deepen when you smile. In this case, the first aid is hydration. To restore your former shine and eliminate flaking and dry lips, you need a light moisturizer.

You can’t do without it, even if you plan to use another product in the future. Thanks to its delicate texture, the cream is quickly absorbed and provides hydration.

To moisturize dry lip skin, cubes of frozen herbal infusions are suitable. You can brew chamomile or string. If your lip is cracked, these herbs have a powerful wound healing effect.

Recipe:

1. put 1 filter bag of dry raw materials into a thermos;
2. pour a glass of boiling water;
3. leave for 30 minutes;
4. the liquid is cooled, poured into molds and frozen.

Tonic to help for beautiful lips

A tonic designed for sensitive facial skin will help nourish dry and chapped lips with moisture. Apply a little liquid to a cotton pad and touch dry lips with blotting movements. To effectively combat peeling, this manipulation is repeated at least 2 times a day.

Nourishing and moisturizing oils

If your lips are chapped, cream alone is not enough. Oils provide an excellent healing effect.

The list of the most effective:

1. sea ​​buckthorn oil;
2. apricot;
3. grape seed oil;
4. avocado;
5. rosehip;
6. cocoa;
7. almond.

The oils are saturated with fat-soluble vitamins A and E. They soften the crust that forms, preventing cracks from deepening when the lips dry out and peel. New cells reproduce faster, and when the coarsened film comes off and the next layer appears, it will be more elastic.

Baby cream - a panacea for cracks and dryness

A cheap and effective remedy that helps if your lips are dry and cracked is a classic baby cream. Even if the edges of the mouth are severely cracked, it helps to quickly restore the damaged areas. You should lubricate the skin throughout the day as it absorbs, avoiding complete drying.

The main active component of baby cream is panthenol, it accelerates the regeneration process. When your lips become very dry and cracked, you can use D-panthenol ointment, Panthenol or Bepanten cream. In these preparations the concentration of the active substance is much higher.

Getting rid of it at home using folk remedies

When the skin dries and bursts, a person experiences constant discomfort. There are many folk recipes for combating this unpleasant phenomenon.

Masks

A great way to get rid of cracks at home is with various masks. Even if the lips are in satisfactory condition, such cosmetic procedures will add color and healthy shine.

Mask with cream and cottage cheese for nutrition

The preparation method is similar to a healthy snack recipe. (You can actually eat the leftovers. This will only benefit those who have dry, flaky, and cracked lips). Cottage cheese (1 tsp) and cream (1 tsp) are thoroughly mixed and applied in a dense layer to the dry surface.

The higher the fat content of the products, the better. Cream can be replaced with sour cream. The composition is left for 15 minutes. Then it should be washed off with warm water.

To prevent lips from peeling, the following procedures are performed after any of the masks:

• wipe them with tonic;
• apply moisturizer;
• coated with a protective agent.

Mask with aloe juice for nutrition and hydration

This plant is widely used in folk medicine and home cosmetology. For chapped lips, a paste made from the pulp of a fresh plant or juice, which can be purchased at any pharmacy, is suitable. The plant component is mixed with a nourishing cream.

During the period when lips are cracking, a thick mask is applied three times a week for 15 minutes. After the first use, your lips dry out and itch much less.

Fruit mask for hydration

With the help of these fruits, dryness can be effectively treated. After all, they are a natural storehouse of vitamins. When your lips are dry and itchy, a banana will do. It is rich in potassium and B vitamins, which improve metabolism in the epidermis. Mash the fruit with a fork, mix with a spoon of sour cream and apply for 10 minutes. Oral care is repeated every other day.

Fruits such as kiwi and pineapple are excellent natural exfoliants. You should not make masks based on them. Prolonged contact with fruit acids causes the epidermis to dry out even more. But a light massage with a small piece will be useful.

Honey mask

Honey contains a huge concentration of vital elements. If the lower lip constantly dries and cracks without having time to heal, honey will help reduce pain. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, and its use reduces the risk of infections.

You can make a mask based on liquid honey and melted butter. The nourishing lubricant is left for 5 - 7 minutes. You shouldn’t keep it longer, bee products contain a lot of active substances, and there is a risk of “burning” the injured surface. As a result, it will dry out even more.

Apple mask for peeling

To neutralize the effect of fruit acids, which dry out the epidermis, first boil the apple a little. Heat treatment destroys vitamin C, the lack of which causes lips to dry out, so keep the peeled slices in boiling water for no more than 30 seconds.

Then they are ground with full-fat milk (3.2%) and a couple of drops of base oil (squeeze from grape seed, sea buckthorn, apricot).

To find out how to get rid of peeling lips, it is recommended to try different compositions of nourishing and moisturizing masks and choose the right one. Alternation of care products is also welcome, since a variety of replenishment is useful.

Green tea to the rescue

This drink contains many antioxidants that help maintain the elasticity and firmness of organic tissues.

Strong brewed green tea can be used as a tonic. It is a storehouse of vitamins and microelements. The tannins it contains can make the walls of blood vessels stronger.

Such care will help counteract the negative influences of the environment if your lips are peeling.

Using medications if lips become dry and cracked

Cosmetics gradually restore smoothness, but when the surface dries constantly or is very damaged, you cannot do without medications. If the cause is any disease, the appointment will be made by the attending physician.

List of effective remedies that are available in pharmacies without a prescription:

1. Miramistin or Chlorhexidine. They perfectly disinfect and are soft enough not to cause a burning sensation. They can be used if the integrity of the skin is compromised.
2. Ointments and creams containing panthenol:
   • Dexpanthenol,
   • Panthenol,
   • Bepanten,
   • D-Panthenol and other analogues.
3. Anciclovir. Available in tablets and ointments. Prescribed for the development of herpes or other infectious diseases.
4. Levomikol. Needed to stop the development of the inflammatory process. Fights viruses and bacteria. Once the infection is eliminated, its use should be discontinued. Long-term use causes the flaky areas to dry out even more.
5. Calendula ointment. Natural antimicrobial and wound healing agent. It moisturizes and quickly reduces itching.
6. Cosmetic Vaseline. Provides protection from wind, frost, sunlight, and prevents the natural fatty microfilm from drying out.
7. Retinol and Tocopherol. These are vitamins A and E. It is recommended not only to consume them internally, but also to lubricate flaky areas.

You can purchase one of the vitamin kits for general strengthening of the body, or a specialized beauty complex. It is important that the content of these vitamins is high enough.

Nutritional features for this problem

Lip problems are often caused by excessive consumption of sweets. The liver puts all its energy into processing the incoming “fuel” and there are no resources left to fight toxins. The skin is forced to take the blow on itself, so it begins to dry, peel and crack.

In order for the surface to be restored, you need to give up sugar - it is recommended to reduce the consumption of sweet fruits and other foods with a high glycemic index (boiled beets, potatoes, white rice).

During the period when your lips are peeling and cracking, you should avoid snacking on the run!

You cannot leave your body without adequate nutrition. Strict diets are unacceptable. Food should be taken 4 times a day, every 3 hours. This amount of time is necessary for complete digestion of food.

Useful vitamins and minerals in the diet

You can pick up a vitamin complex at a pharmacy. Usually choose those that contain vitamins A, E, groups B and C, F, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc. But industrial vitamins are not always well absorbed. An excess of any element can cause the opposite effect. It is better to pay close attention to what a person eats daily.

If an analysis of eating habits shows that dry lips are caused by a deficiency of vitamins, you should urgently expand your diet. The menu should include fresh vegetables and fruits every day, and it is important to ensure their variety.

You should eat seafood and seaweed at least once a week. Seafood is rich in zinc, which regulates the activity of the sebaceous glands. Their proper operation prevents the skin from drying out.

Cereals, legumes and red meat are rich in iron. It is involved in the process of supplying cells with oxygen and is responsible for the delivery of nutrients.

When lips are chapped, it is especially important to consume enough healthy fats.

The need is fully satisfied if:

1. In the morning add to the salad a teaspoon of vegetable oil (linseed, pumpkin, sunflower, olive, sesame) and 5 gr. nuts
2. For dinner eat 100 gr. fatty sea fish.

Omega-3 and Omega-6, which these products are rich in, support cell elasticity. Fatty oils allow the body to absorb more vitamins A and E, which do not dissolve in water.

It has been proven that low-fat dairy products are more harmful to your figure due to their high carbohydrate content. Long-term refusal of healthy fats leads to the fact that it is not volumes that dry out, but female beauty.

You should not deny yourself the consumption of cottage cheese, milk and cheese; they are rich in calcium and vitamins B2, B6, B9.

Prevention of cracks

The simplest ways to maintain smooth and attractive lips are:

1. drinking enough water;
2. balanced diet;
3. careful attention to health status;
4. use of protective equipment;
5. careful use of antibiotics and other medications;
6. regular moisturizing care and nourishment of the skin.

To prevent dryness, you can do contrast baths. A cotton pad is alternately dipped in containers with hot and cold water, and applied to the mouth for 2 - 3 seconds. This procedure improves blood circulation.

Men's lips often become dry due to failure to use protective products. Hygienic lipstick must be in the pocket of every representative of the stronger sex. After all, when the skin on the lips dries and peels, there is a risk of penetration of pathogenic bacteria.

Proper nutrition, clean water, high-quality hygienic lipstick and regular care will help you forget dryness forever. If you cannot solve the problem on your own, you should contact a therapist who will explain what to do.

There are plenty of reasons why lips dry and crack, and it is difficult to accurately determine the negative factor. This mainly occurs due to decreased immunity and insufficient drinking, or under the influence of the harmful effects of climatic conditions. At the same time, women prefer to hide the emerging defect with lip gloss or hygienic lipstick, instead of eliminating the root cause of the problem. But in this matter, it is important to understand the causes of chapped lips, and not to fight external symptoms. We will help you identify all the possible culprits for the deterioration of your lips and tell you how to get rid of this cosmetic problem.

Why lips dry out - reasons for men and women

Dry crusts on the lips, cracks in the corners of the mouth, blood and severe psychological discomfort - a problem probably familiar to every woman. The cause of unsatisfactory appearance of lips can be anything - new lipstick, smoking, yesterday's tan, windy weather and banal dehydration. This list can be continued indefinitely, because each case is individual. So let's look at the most common reasons why lips dry out.

Dry and cracked lips due to weather influences

If you have chapped lips, the first thing to consider is the weather, especially during the off-season. The deterioration of the lips can be caused by:

• Strong wind. Air masses increase the evaporation of moisture from the surface of the lips, causing them to become rough and dry. In addition, lips can become chapped in the wind, especially if you drank something outside or just like to lick your lips. In this case, in addition to dryness, redness of the skin around the lips and deep, often bleeding, cracks will appear.
• Dry air. It can have a detrimental effect on lips both in hot summer and winter. The drier the air, the more intensely your lips will lose moisture and, accordingly, dry out. Lips are also exposed to the same effect in an apartment with central heating, where air humidity often drops below 20%. Therefore, it is important to monitor the level of humidity in the house and use a special humidifier in time.
• Direct sunlight. This is another reason why the skin on your lips dries out intensely. The scorching sun leads to evaporation of moisture and negatively affects the condition of the lips, exposing them to harmful UV rays. Therefore, in summer you should not neglect lipsticks with a high SPF factor.
• Freezing. At low air temperatures, lips dry out, lose elasticity and become inflamed. Often there is the appearance of hard crusts on the skin of the lips, which bleed when torn off. This occurs as a result of the rapid release of moisture from the lips, which does not have time to completely dissipate and creates even worse conditions for the skin.

Advice! You can determine why your lips are constantly dry through regular observation. If after a walk in windy or hot weather you notice that your lips and cheeks have become rough, then this defect is caused by bad weather. The secret is that your cheeks are just as sensitive to the weather as your lips.

Dry and cracked lips due to bad habits

If the damage to the skin of your lips has nothing to do with the weather, and they constantly dry out, even if you don’t go outside, then you need to reconsider all bad habits.

Here are a few harmless, at first glance, habits that cause dry lips in women and men:

• Licking. The urge to lick your lip may occur due to a feeling of dryness on the lip surface, which often appears from thirst or after eating too salty food. After licking your lips, moisture will begin to be lost even more and dryness will increase. With repeated licking, the situation will constantly worsen.
• Biting. You can understand that your habit is the cause of damage to the lip surface by looking at it: when you bite, you constantly injure only one lip, so either the upper or the lower lip dries out. In this case, double damage is caused to the lips. Firstly, when biting, the lips are moistened with saliva, and we have just looked at what happens next. And, secondly, microcracks appear on the lips as a result of damage by teeth. Abrasions open the door to fungi, coccal microbes, viruses, including herpes, which delay the healing process of wounds.
• Piercing. Decorating your lips with different rings is, of course, beautiful, but due to the risk of chronic dryness and dark cracks on your lips, it’s not worth it. A small amount of saliva regularly enters through the hole, which causes roughness of the labial skin. In addition, if the jewelry is large and has an uneven surface, there is always a risk of damage to the skin of the lip. Minor abrasions will not be noticeable, but the consequences will not be long in coming.
• Lack of nasal breathing. Regardless of the reasons why you breathe through your mouth, your lips will regularly crack and your skin will peel and peel. In this case, not only will your lips dry out, but also your tongue, and you will also constantly suffer from a lack of oxygen.
• Smoking. With constant contact with cigarette paper, the lips partially give up their moisture to it. As a result, lips are cracked, tight, and unkempt. Smoking outside in windy weather further aggravates lip damage.
• Insufficient water intake. The condition of the skin directly depends on the amount of water in the body. If you don’t drink enough liquids (first courses, compotes, soda don’t count), correct this.
• Addiction to hot spices. People who eat spicy foods every day have very dry lips. To correct the situation, you don’t have to give up your favorite foods, just don’t forget to rinse your lips with water after eating.
• Constantly pinching your lips with your hands. What could be dangerous here, you ask? Hands are an inexhaustible source of microbes, and if you have small wounds on your lips or your immune system has decreased slightly, you are guaranteed long-term non-healing cracks and dryness.

The effect of vitamin deficiency on dry lips

If your lips dry and peel, the cause may be hidden behind elementary hypovitaminosis. The culprit for “sick” lips may be a deficiency of the following vitamins:

• Vitamin A - this compound is responsible for the regeneration of the skin. If the vitamin is deficient, even small cracks in the lips will not heal, causing loss of moisture, which will cause chapped lips.
• Vitamin C is a vitamin that regulates immunity. With its deficiency, an immunodeficiency condition develops, which often causes the lips to become very dry.
• B vitamins. A lack of such vitamins is accompanied by rough lips, dull hair, and brittle nail plates.

Dry and cracked lips - internal diseases

In medical practice, when making many diagnoses, the condition of a person’s skin is taken into account. It is considered a kind of health indicator. The skin on the face is no exception, and if your lips dry out, the cause of the disease may be hidden inside the body.

Lips that constantly crack and dry out for no apparent reason may indicate the following health problems:

• Allergic diseases. Dryness can be caused by direct contact of the lips with an allergen, for example, with a cosmetic product, lipstick, toothpaste, or a low-quality toothbrush. A food allergen can also cause dryness, which has a bad effect on the entire body, but then dryness will be not only on the lips, but also on the cheeks, knees, and elbows.
• Diabetes. If your mouth and lips are constantly dry, you are thirsty, your skin is itchy, and the number of urinations per day has increased, you need to rule out this endocrine disorder.
• Herpetic infection. Herpes comes in several varieties, and most of them can cause inflammation on the lips. This virus, once in the blood, remains in the body forever. Only the immune system restrains it, and if a failure occurs, the virus begins to “attack.” The appearance of a dry crust, small bubbles, cracks, and wet wounds indicates a possible activation of a viral infection. The diagnosis can be confirmed using a blood test to determine antibodies to herpes.
• Dental diseases. Lips often dry out due to carious teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth can affect the lips and the skin around them. With the rapid proliferation of harmful bacteria against the background of poor immunity, the lips become very dry, often followed by rupture and the release of ichor. You can kill bacteria by treating oral caries.
• Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract. Pancreatic dysfunction, gastritis and cholelithiasis can also cause increased dry lips.

Why lips dry out - causes of pathology in children

In children, especially preschool age, excessive dry lips occur due to insufficient hand hygiene. Lips are affected by all sorts of bacteria that enter the labial surface as a result of:

1. Licking various objects. Babies constantly put everything in their mouth, thus exploring the world.
2. Finger sucking is a common reason why a child's lips become dry. While in the mouth, the finger causes copious amounts of saliva to be released, which leads to dry lips. This habit often persists even among school-age children.
3. Lip contact with unwashed hands. Children's playgrounds, animals, and dust serve as sources of pathogenic flora. While playing, children unknowingly touch their lips with dirty hands, causing inflammation.
4. Fungal infection. If you notice that a child refuses to eat and has sores in his mouth and dry lips, this disease is called stomatitis. It is caused by fungi and can affect the entire mouth, including the lips.
5. Diathesis. Children are very prone to allergic manifestations. Any new product, powder, or toy can cause another relapse, which is manifested by dryness and peeling of the cheeks and lips.

Why do lips dry and crack during pregnancy?

During gestation, women may experience dry lips in the first weeks of pregnancy due to toxicosis. The lips react sharply to the vomit and the bile and hydrochloric acid present in it. But such a defect on the lips can also occur at the end of pregnancy. A large belly with a baby prevents a woman from breathing and walking freely, so she often inhales air through her mouth. And this is one of the reasons for dry lips. But there are other factors that cause dry and rough lips.

Why do lips still dry out - the reason for women in the position:

1. Acute vitamin deficiency as a result of toxicosis and decreased appetite.
2. Dehydration, especially if a woman is advised to limit the amount of fluid against the background of developing gestosis.
3. Gestational diabetes mellitus.
4. Iron-deficiency anemia.
5. Reduced immune status.

Dry lips - what to do at home

Dry lips are accompanied by the formation of crusts, superficial cracks, wounds in the corners of the mouth and signs of inflammation - redness, swelling, itching, soreness. These symptoms can be relieved with some home remedies.

Important! If, in addition to dryness, you have severe bleeding cracks and a white coating on your lips, this may indicate a bacterial infection. In such a situation, it is better to consult a doctor and have a scraping followed by a bacteriological examination.

If the corners of the lips dry out, the lip surface peels and cracks, the following masks, balms and oils will help:

• Sour cream mask with aloe. The following mask will help moisturize dry lip skin and protect it from harmful environmental factors: 1 tsp. fat sour cream, 2 drops of any vegetable oil and 0.5 tsp. aloe juice The prepared mixture is applied to the lips and the skin area around them for 30-40 minutes. The procedure can be performed an unlimited number of times.
• Masks with vegetable oils. Daily moisturizing of the skin with different oils will help restore damaged lip skin. Suitable oils include sea buckthorn, grape seed, jojoba, and almond oil. You can also use a liquid solution of tocopherol (Vit. E). You need to treat the entire surface of your lips with oils, without missing a single area.
• Honey mask. If the condition of the lips is extremely severe, when the skin is completely cracked, blood often oozes and there is pain when moving the lips, you need to moisturize your lips as much as possible. Melt 20 g of lard (be sure to heat it for 15 minutes on fire), then add 10 g of honey to it. Lubricate your lips until the wounds heal.
• Wax lip balm. Mix two parts wax and one part each cocoa butter, sea buckthorn oil, aloe juice, almond oil. Combine and heat the ingredients in a water bath, then let them harden. Use balm instead of chapstick.
• Aloe. This perennial will help heal lip cracks. Cut an aloe leaf lengthwise and lubricate your lips several times a day.

Dry lips - treatment with medications

It is better to get rid of dry lips, which is accompanied by the proliferation of bacteria, with the help of pharmaceutical preparations:

• Calendula-based ointment ensures rapid cell regeneration, kills harmful microbes, moisturizes, and relieves itching. You need to lubricate your lips several times a day.
• Cocoa butter - perfectly removes crusts and cracks, moisturizes and relieves the feeling of dryness and soreness on the lips. Can be used all day as needed.
• Levomikol is an effective antiseptic in the form of an ointment. Completely destroys bacteria and is indicated for deep cracks with signs of infection. You need to treat your lips twice a day, preventing the drug from getting inside. And it doesn’t matter whether the lower lip or the upper lip is dry, the main thing is to completely disinfect all lips from infections.
• Panthenol is a regenerating agent. It is used for various skin burns, but in case of dry lips it has also shown high effectiveness. You can also use Rescuer ointment with the same success.
• Syntomycin ointment is a great help for “sticking” in the corners of the mouth.
• Miramistin is a liquid antiseptic. You need to irrigate injured sponges twice a day.
• Aevit is a vitamin preparation in gelatin capsules. You need to crush the capsule and lubricate your lips. The product contains vitamin A and E.
• Acyclovir is an antiviral gel that is used to treat dry lips caused by herpes.

If all these methods did not help you forget about dry, painful lips once and for all, it is better to go to the doctor to accurately determine the cause of this pathology and get rid of it.

Video “Why are your lips dry”