When the lips become dry, they can even begin to peel at times. Although not dangerous, peeling can be unsightly, and cracked lips could cause pain and stinging.
It is quite rare that chapped lips are a signal for a more serious health complication, but dry patches on lips can be associated with other health ailments, too, such as colds or allergies.
If you frequently experience dry patches on your lips, here are the common causes and the home remedies to help you through this problem.
Causes of Dry Patch on the Lip
Here is a list of common – often easily resolved – causes for dry patches on the lip.
- Frequently licking your lips
- Dehydration
- Not protecting them from the sun or cold – you should apply a moisturizer or sunscreen all year round
- Breathing from your mouth – often due to a stuffed nose
- Toothpaste that may have touched the lips
- Citrus foods
- Consuming too much vitamin A
- Allergies
- Certain medications, more specifically, those used for wrinkles or acne
- Aging
- Eczema
- Sunburn
- Smoking
- Dentures that do not fit properly
- Fungal infections
- Harsh winds
As you can see, many of the causes for dry patches on the lip are modifiable, meaning you can adjust your lifestyle habits or change your behavior to resolve the problem. Further down, we will explain in greater detail home remedies you can use to combat chapped lips.
Dry Patch on Lip: Associated Conditions
In some cases, dry lips can be a symptom of a greater problem. Here are some of those health conditions.
Pellagra: This is due to a deficiency in niacin, which is vitamin B3. This is a serious condition that requires treatment as it can possibly lead to death. People may develop a niacin deficiency if they have ulcerative colitis, which prevents them from absorbing the vitamin. Lips, tongue, and gums may become affected.
Angular cheilitis: This is an inflammatory condition that affects the corners of the mouth. Chapped lips, dribbling saliva, overhang of your upper lip, or proliferation of viral infections like cold sores or bacterial infections, such as impetigo and yeast, can all cause angular cheilitis. The elderly and malnourished are at a greater risk for angular cheilitis. In many cases, this condition will clear up on its own, but sometimes it may require medical intervention.
Kawasaki disease: This is mainly seen in children under the age of five. If left untreated, the condition can contribute to heart damage. Along with chapped lips, other symptoms include fever, irritation of the throat, swelling of the neck, and redness of the whites of the eyes.
Signs and Symptoms of Dry Patch on lip
Signs and symptoms of dry patch on lip include dryness, redness, pain or tenderness, rough skin, bleeding, peeling and flaking, and oversensitivity.
If dry lips accompany another condition like a cold or allergies, you may also experience a stuffed nose, watery eyes, and itchy throat.
Tips to Manage Dry and Chapped lips Naturally
More often than not, dry, chapped lips are not a serious medical problem, so home remedies can go a long way in keeping your lips looking smooth and healthy. First and foremost, you will want to ensure you are staying well hydrated, as dehydration can contribute to dry lips. Here are some other remedies for your dry lips.
- Use a humidifier to keep the air moist.
- Rub cucumbers on your lips.
- Apply aloe vera on your lips.
- Use a lip balm containing ceramides.
- Use a moisturizer regularly first thing in the morning.
- Avoid frequently licking or biting your lips – if this is done during times of stress, you may need to start practicing some stress reduction techniques.
- Avoid products with artificial ingredients and dyes, as they will aggravate the dryness.
- Avoid citrus foods, especially if your lips are cracked, as they will cause burning and stinging.
- Avoid spicy foods.
- Check your medications to see if they can cause dry lips as a side effect.
- Exfoliate your lips with olive oil and sugar.
- Brush dry your lips with a soft toothbrush to remove dead skin.
- Change your toothpaste you suspect it is causing your dry lips.
Dry Patch on Lip: Diet Reasons
Diet can play a role in your dry and chapped lips, too, so here are some diet suggestions to consider if you are living with dry lips.
- Ensure you stay well hydrated throughout the day.
- Follow a healthy and balanced diet.
- Don’t take too much of vitamin A.
- Ensure you are receiving adequate vitamin B3.
- Consume foods high in vitamin E, like nuts, leafy vegetables, and eggs.
By trying these natural home remedies for dry patches on lips, you can kiss dry lips good-bye!