LIPS....

[CASSIDY2248]

My lips have started to feel raw, like they are cracked or something. They don't hurt or bleed. They are like that for a couple of days and then they get hard and rough feeling and itchy. I keep them slathered with Carmex and after three or four days, they are very soft. Then a week or so later it starts all over again.  What could be the problem?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
This can be due to cheilitis lips. Chronic chapped lips can result from nutritional deficiencies(vitamin B)and dehydration, or over exposure to sun or cold and windy conditions.

Avoid licking the lips as saliva evaporates quickly resulting in them being drier than before. Drink plenty of water and take multivitamin supplements and do not apply lipstick or other cosmetic products for some days. Use a humidifier to moisturize the air in your home and apply shea butter or Vaseline on your lips.You can also use a homemade ointment mixed from 1 tsp glycerine, 1 tsp lemon juice and 1 tsp castor oil. Spread on lips overnight, refrigerating the leftovers for future use. Eat foods high in calcium, magnesium and flaxseed oil. If a week of compresses and emollients don't do the trick, you can add over-the-counter 1 percent hydrocortisone ointment to your regimen.

If the condition still persists then get an evaluation done by dermatologist.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[turkee23]

hi welcome =) i live in fort lauderdale....we are almost neighbors lol

Lip balms like Chap Stick lubricate but they do not hydrate. This is a critical difference, as people apply ChapStick constantly to dehydrated lips becuase it makes them feel slick and smooth, which they take to mean moistureized. But lip balms do not hydrate. It actually seals moisture out so that lips cannot absorb moisture from the air, the water we drink or from hydrating formulas applied to lips. We wax a car and it feels shiny and smooth, but what does the wax do? It seals water out -- rolls off like off a ducks back. Better bet is to use a product ( such as products with shea,emu butter, Vitamin E oil, etc high on ingredient list) which are designed to introduce moisture back into the lips

Use a soft toothbrush to softly buff your lips to remove the deposit of dead cells that will cause more drying and flaking,Ordinary Vaseline works wonders. It prevents sun blisters as well if applied before venturing into the sun