What causes dry and purple lips, and what should I do?
Mar 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
In general, dry and purplish lips may be caused by factors such as hyperventilation, dehydration, cheilitis, bronchial asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is recommended to seek timely medical attention and follow a doctor's guidance for treatments such as general care or medication. In daily life, it is important to maintain healthy habits, keep a regular routine, strengthen physical health, and improve immunity.
Generally, dry and purple lips may be caused by hyperventilation, dehydration, cheilitis, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other conditions. It is recommended to seek timely medical advice and receive treatments such as general care and medication under a doctor's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Hyperventilation
Prolonged hyperventilation, such as rapid breathing after strenuous exercise or over-breathing during emotional stress, can expel excessive carbon dioxide from the body, leading to respiratory alkalosis. This can cause peripheral vasoconstriction, including in the lip blood vessels, resulting in purple lips. Additionally, hyperventilation accelerates water loss from the mouth and lips, causing dryness. It is advisable to avoid intense physical activity, maintain emotional stability, and practice deep, slow breathing when experiencing rapid respiration.
2. Dehydration
When the body lacks sufficient water, fluid volume decreases, blood viscosity increases, circulation slows down, and blood flow to the lip vessels can be affected, possibly causing purple lips. Simultaneously, insufficient moisture in the lip skin and mucous membranes leads to dryness. It is important to replenish fluids regularly, aiming for a daily intake of 1500-2000 milliliters, divided into multiple servings. Do not wait until feeling thirsty to drink water.
3. Cheilitis
Cheilitis is often caused by allergies, infections, sun exposure, and other factors. Inflammatory stimulation leads to vasodilation and increased permeability of lip blood vessels, allowing blood components to leak out. Combined with local moisture loss, this can result in dry and purple lips. Symptoms may also include itching and flaking of the lips. Patients can use medications such as triamcinolone acetonide and econazole cream, desonide cream, or chlorpheniramine maleate tablets, as directed by a physician.
4. Bronchial Asthma
Bronchial asthma is often associated with hereditary factors and allergens in the environment. During an asthma attack, airway spasms and impaired ventilation lead to insufficient oxygen exchange, decreased blood oxygen saturation, and consequently purple lips. Rapid breathing during an attack can also cause lip dryness. Symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath may also occur. Patients can use medications such as salbutamol sulfate tablets, budesonide inhalation aerosol, and montelukast sodium tablets as recommended by their doctor.
5. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD is commonly caused by long-term smoking, air pollution, infections, and other factors. Due to impaired pulmonary ventilation and gas exchange, oxygen intake is insufficient and carbon dioxide elimination is hindered. This leads to reduced blood oxygen levels and increased reduced hemoglobin, causing purple lips. Additionally, metabolic changes and increased respiratory rate associated with the disease can cause dry lips. Symptoms such as coughing and sputum production may accompany the condition. Treatment options include salbutamol aerosol, ipratropium bromide aerosol, ambroxol hydrochloride oral solution, and other medications, used under medical guidance.
In daily life, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, regular sleep patterns, enhanced physical condition, and improved immunity are important. Pay attention to your body's condition, and if symptoms of dry and purple lips persist or are accompanied by other discomforts, seek medical attention promptly.
