Home
Articles
Q&A

What causes chapped and peeling lips?

Sep 29, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
In general, persistently dry and peeling lips may be caused by factors such as environmental conditions, lifestyle habits, cheilitis, vitamin deficiencies, or Sjögren's syndrome. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. To alleviate dry and peeling lips, it is advisable to correct不良 habits in daily life, drink plenty of water, use non-irritating moisturizing lip balms, maintain a balanced diet, and avoid licking or biting the lips.

Under normal circumstances, persistently dry and peeling lips may be caused by environmental factors, lifestyle habits, cheilitis, vitamin deficiencies, Sjögren's syndrome, or other reasons. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Environment

Dry and windy climates can accelerate the evaporation of moisture from the skin surface, potentially impairing the lips' stratum corneum's ability to retain moisture, leading to chapping and peeling. It is recommended to use a humidifier to maintain appropriate indoor humidity and apply lip balm to relieve dryness.

2. Lifestyle Habits

Frequently licking or biting the lips can accelerate moisture loss from the lip surface and damage the natural protective barrier. The use of irritating cosmetics may also directly harm the delicate skin of the lips, causing dryness and peeling. It is advised to correct these unhealthy habits, choose mild and non-irritating lip care products, and maintain adequate hydration by drinking sufficient water.

3. Cheilitis

Cheilitis is a lip condition caused by various factors such as allergies, infections, or environmental irritation. It can damage the skin barrier of the lips, increase moisture loss, and lead to dryness and peeling. Symptoms may also include redness, swelling, itching, and pain in the lips. It is recommended to apply moisturizing lip balm and follow medical advice to use medications such as cetirizine hydrochloride tablets, loratadine tablets, or fusidic acid cream for treatment.

4. Vitamin Deficiency

Vitamins from the B group and vitamin A play important roles in maintaining healthy skin. Deficiencies in these vitamins may impair skin repair and regeneration, resulting in dry, dehydrated lips and peeling. Other symptoms may include rough skin and brittle hair. It is recommended to increase intake of vitamin-rich foods such as whole grains, nuts, leafy vegetables, and fruits, and to take supplements like multivitamin B tablets, vitamin B2 tablets, or vitamin A softgels under a doctor’s guidance.

5. Sjögren's Syndrome

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which exocrine glands are attacked by the immune system, reducing secretion from glands such as salivary and sebaceous glands. This leads to dryness of the lips and other skin areas. Additional symptoms may include dry eyes and joint pain. It is recommended to drink plenty of water and, under medical supervision, use medications such as hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets, methotrexate tablets, or levamisole hydrochloride tablets to alleviate symptoms.

To relieve dry and peeling lips, it is advisable to correct unhealthy habits in daily life, drink sufficient water, use non-irritating moisturizing lip balms, maintain a balanced diet, and avoid licking or biting the lips.

Related Articles

View All
What could be the reason for feeling a lump inside the groin area of the thigh?
In general, a lump felt in the groin area of the thigh may be caused by muscle spasms after exercise, local fat accumulation, lymphadenitis, sebaceous cysts, inguinal hernia, or other reasons. Depending on the specific situation, patients may improve their condition through conservative management, medication, surgical treatment, or other approaches. It is important in daily life to keep the groin area clean and dry, and to avoid friction or irritation.
avatar
Dr. Wang Lei
View Full Answer
How large can a fibroma be to qualify for minimally invasive surgery?
In general, fibroids measuring 1–5 cm can be treated with minimally invasive surgery, but the specific approach depends on factors such as the location and benign or malignant nature of the fibroid. Prior to surgery, it is important to complete relevant examinations to fully understand the characteristics of the fibroid and minimize surgical risks. After surgery, keep the wound clean and dry, change dressings regularly as directed by your doctor, and prevent wound infection.
avatar
Dr. Wang Lei
View Full Answer
What are the causes of burns and scalds?
Causes of burns and scalds include contact with hot liquids, hot solids, hot gases, chemical irritants, electric sparks, or flames. If the burn or scald covers a large area, is deep, or accompanied by severe pain, immediate medical attention is required. For daily care, keep the affected area clean and dry, avoid friction or pressure on the wound, and for mild scalds, apply a specialized burn ointment as directed by a healthcare provider.
avatar
Dr. Wang Lei
View Full Answer
Can I use Zuguang Powder if my foot has broken skin?
Generally, foot powder should not be used when the skin on the feet is broken. The irritating ingredients in foot powder may worsen skin damage and could cause pain or infection. Therefore, you should stop using foot powder immediately if the skin is broken. Instead, clean the wound with normal saline or iodophor first, and keep it dry. If a fungal infection is suspected, wait until the wound has fully healed before using foot powder, and only under the guidance of a doctor.
avatar
Dr. Wang Lei
View Full Answer
Can you drink alcohol after getting stitches for a hand injury?
Do not drink alcohol after receiving stitches for a hand injury. Alcohol can impair wound healing and may increase the risk of infection or cause adverse reactions with medications. Therefore, alcohol consumption should be strictly avoided from the time of stitching until the wound is fully healed and sutures are removed. During this period, keep the wound clean and dry, eat a light diet, and ensure adequate rest to promote recovery. If you have any concerns about the healing process, consult your attending physician promptly.
avatar
Dr. Wang Lei
View Full Answer
What should I do if my toe skin is broken and the flesh is exposed?
Broken skin and exposed flesh on the toes may result from shoe friction and pressure, dry and cracked skin, athlete's foot, paronychia, or infected injuries. This can be improved by reducing friction, moisturizing care, local cleaning, and medical treatment. If the damaged area expands, or if pus or severe pain develops, prompt medical attention is necessary. Wearing ill-fitting shoes over a long period can cause repeated friction or compression on the toes.
avatar
Dr. Wang Lei
View Full Answer
What to do about cough during radiation therapy
Cough during radiotherapy may be caused by radiation irritation of the respiratory mucosa, dry air, common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. It can be improved by adjusting the radiotherapy regimen, increasing environmental humidity, symptomatic treatment, and medication. If cough persists or worsens, or is accompanied by fever, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms, prompt medical attention is necessary. Radiation from radiotherapy may damage the mucosa of the throat, trachea, and other parts of the respiratory tract.
avatar
Dr. Ren Yi
View Full Answer
Is it good to expose a wound to air?
Superficial, clean wounds that have been hemostatic and dried can be briefly exposed to clean air, which helps maintain dryness, reduces irritation from dressing friction on newly formed tissue, and allows the wound to access oxygen, thereby supporting tissue repair to some extent; however, exposure to dust, sewage, or other contaminants should be avoided. In contrast, deeper wounds with exudate or contamination are prone to bacterial infection when exposed to air.
avatar
Dr. Wang Lei
View Full Answer
彩牛养生

Your trusted source for health information and wellness guidance.

Quick Links

Resources

Connect

© 2024 HealthPortal. All rights reserved.