Medical App & Medical Advice with Hello Doctor

Why are your lips dry?

We all have dry, chapped lips sometimes. But if you have them often and to the point where they are painful and bleeding, there may be a medical reason why. Finding out why your lips are dry and painful can help you choose the right treatment.

Dry, or chapped lips are most commonly caused by the weather, breathing through your mouth, certain medications and licking your lips excessively. As with most things… prevention is better than cure! Try to:

Avoid licking your lips


Licking your lips doesn’t add moisture to them, it just dries them out more. This is because saliva evaporates quickly, leaving them drier than before.

Use unflavoured lip balms

If your balm smells and tastes delicious, you’re bound to lick your lips at some point. And licking your lips can lead to dry and cracked lips.

Always use sunscreen


Protecting your lips from the sun is just as important as shielding your skin. If you’re going out, use a lip balm with sunscreen. It’ll help prevent your lips from sunburn and the dryness and peeling that comes with it.

Stay hydrated


Particularly in cold weather, keep the air in your room moist with a humidifier. Drink plenty of water and moisturise your skin and lips often.

Cover your mouth


If you’re going out in cold weather, cover your mouth with a scarf to prevent your lips from drying out.

Avoid allergens


If you have sensitive lips, they may become irritated when they come into contact with some perfumes, fragrances, cosmetics (lipstick) and dyes. Avoid products that irritate your lips and talk to your doctor about possible lip allergens you may have.

Treat dry lips

Exfoliate gently


Chapped lips can become rough and even peel.. To remove dry skin safely, apply a gentle exfoliator like a sugar scrub or a tiny bit of baking soda with your finger. Rub your lips gently with the scrub, rinse well and then moisturise.

Stay moisturised


Moisture will keep your lips smooth and soft. Moisturise them with products that contain beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter and petroleum as these products all work to seal in moisture. Apply throughout the day and again before bed.

When to see a doctor


In some cases, if common treatments aren’t helping your chapped lips heal, there may be an underlying condition, something like cheilitis, for example. Cheilitis is when chapped lips become infected with bacteria that enter through the dry cracks. This needs to be treated by a doctor.

If you wear orthodontic braces or dentures then you’re more at risk for developing it.

Common symptoms of cheilitis include:

  • Dark pink or red lips.
  • Lumpy lip texture.
  • Lip ulcers.
  • White plaque growths.

If you experience any of these, see a dermatologist immediately.

References:

10 things to know about Eczema

Here’s an inside scoop into the doctor’s office: If you go to your GP complaining of a red, itchy rash, your doctor’s first thought is “It’s probably eczema.” Why? Because – statistically – it probably is.

That doesn’t mean you don’t need to be examined. However, after just a quick look and a few questions, your doctor may very likely dispense a small tube of lotion to clear up your eczema in a few days.

Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions. If you’ve ever had a rash, it may very well have been it. So here are 10 facts for that day when you have the itch that you just can’t… stop…scratching:

  1. Eczema is also called “Atopic Dermatitis”, and due to this allergic component, eczema sufferers often develop hay fever and, or asthma.
  2. Eczema is an inherited, chronic inflammatory skin condition that usually appears in early childhood. Up to 20% of children suffer from eczema before the age of 5 years.
  3. The name eczema is derived from the Greek word meaning “to boil over” and describes the red, scaly and itchy patches of skin. Sometimes, tiny blisters containing clear fluid can form and the affected areas of skin can leak fluid. This is a sign that the inflammation has become infected. See your doctor immediately if the rash looks infected and you have a fever.
  4. The rash is usually seen on hands, feet, wrists, ankles, neck, upper chest, eyelids, the inside bend of elbows and knees. Babies often have a rash on the face and scalp.
  5. Eczema is caused by a person’s inability to repair damage to the skin barrier. Once the skin barrier is disrupted, moisture leaves the skin and the skin will become dry and scaly. Most people with eczema find that their symptoms are made worse by common aspects of daily life, such as hot weather, frequent showering, soap, and overheating in bed at night, tobacco smoke and some foods.
  6. Eczema is diagnosed from your history and examination, and cannot be cured. Eczema is not contagious.
  7. Topical and oral medication can treat the itch and cortisone based creams and medicines lessen the inflammation. Antibiotics are used to treat infections.
  8. Additional therapies include wet dressings, light therapy and stress management.
  9. Take 15 minutes long lukewarm baths to rehydrate the skin, use mild soaps without dyes and perfumes and follow by using moisturisers twice daily can help ease the symptoms.
  10. Wear cool, smooth textured cotton clothing and always wear protective gloves when using washing dishes, and wear cotton gloves inside rubber gloves.

Dr Ingrid de Beer for HelloDoctor.com

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