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What causes chapped lips?

Sep 30, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
In general, chapped lips may be caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits, climatic factors, contact dermatitis, iron-deficiency anemia, angular cheilitis, or other reasons. If any discomfort occurs, please seek medical attention promptly. In daily life, it is important to maintain a balanced diet, avoid licking the lips, stay well-hydrated, and refrain from using cosmetics containing alcohol or irritating ingredients.

In general, chapped lips may be caused by poor lifestyle habits, climatic factors, contact dermatitis, iron-deficiency anemia, angular cheilitis, and other reasons. If any discomfort occurs, please seek medical attention promptly. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Poor Lifestyle Habits

Frequent lip-licking or insufficient water intake can lead to chapped lips. Using lip balms containing moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid may help in daily life.

2. Climatic Factors

Dry air can draw moisture away from the surface of the lips, causing the skin to lose its ability to retain moisture, leading to dryness and cracking. Using a humidifier to maintain indoor humidity levels is recommended.

3. Contact Dermatitis

Allergic reactions to ingredients in cosmetics or oral care products can easily trigger contact dermatitis. The inflammatory response causes dryness of the lip skin, possibly accompanied by symptoms such as itching and redness. Patients may use medications such as cetirizine tablets, loratadine tablets, or tacrolimus ointment under medical guidance.

4. Iron-Deficiency Anemia

When the body's demand for iron exceeds supply, iron-deficiency anemia may develop, depriving the lips of adequate oxygen and nutrients, resulting in dryness and cracking, possibly accompanied by pallor. Patients should take medications such as compound ferrous sulfate granules, ferrous sulfate tablets, or iron dextran tablets as directed by a physician.

5. Angular Cheilitis

An unbalanced diet may lead to vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause angular cheilitis, manifesting as chapped lips along with symptoms such as redness, swelling, and ulcers at the corners of the mouth. Patients may be treated under medical supervision with medications such as compound vitamin B tablets, enalapril maleate and folic acid tablets, or vitamin B12 injections.

In daily life, it is important to maintain a balanced diet, avoid lip-licking, stay well-hydrated, and refrain from using cosmetics containing alcohol or irritating ingredients.

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