What is lip cracking?
Lip cracking is an expression used to deteriorate the integrity of the lip skin or wound. Sensitive lip skin can easily dry out and crack in cold or dry weather. Lip cracking can be painful when it takes a long time. It can also cause complaints such as bleeding or burning. The most common cause of lip cracking is inflammation of the lips, called cheilitis in medical literature. Recovery of the inflammatory condition can usually be accelerated by some home application. However, it may sometimes be necessary to consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause and treat the condition.
What causes lip cracking?
Lip cracking is the most common problem in winter, but it can be seen in all seasons. Generally, if the dryness of the lip, which is the first stage, is not treated, the problem of cracking occurs. As the cracking often develops slowly, it can be difficult to determine the exact cause. Knowing the possible causes can help determine the best way to prevent and treat stretch marks. The most common causes of cracked lips include:
Licking, sucking or biting the lips: The skin of the lips has a delicate texture and can be easily irritated. People who frequently lick, suck, bite, or break dry skin are more likely to experience chapped lips. Using these lip balms to soothe the lips, breaking these habits often helps lips heal.
Oral breathing habit: Mouth breathing prepares the ground for lips to come in more contact with air, thus drying and cracking. Factors such as nasal septum curvature, hay fever, and common cold are among the causes of mouth breathing.
Insufficient fluid consumption and dehydration: The body uses water to keep the skin moist. Not having enough fluid to meet the body’s needs is called dehydration. If there is not enough fluid in the person’s body, changes such as dryness or cracking begin to appear on their skin. If you don’t drink enough fluids regularly throughout the day, mild dehydration symptoms such as chapped lips may occur. Dehydration can also occur after an illness that causes high fever, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Cold, windy and dry weather conditions: Lip cracking may occur due to uncomfortable weather conditions such as cold, dry air or strong wind. Changes in weather conditions can cause cracks in the corners of the lips. It is manifested by burning and pain due to cracking in the corners of the lips, smiling and tension during chewing.
Sun exposure: The sun’s rays can damage the delicate skin on the lips, causing cracks and sores. However, this condition usually occurs after prolonged exposure.
Allergies: Lip skin can react to ingredients in some products. Trigger allergies include toothpaste, floss, lip balm, lipstick and other makeup, moisturizers, and braces. If you notice symptoms such as inflammation, dryness or rash on the lips after using a new lip product or one of the other products listed, you should stop using the product.
Side effects of some medications: Many drugs used in the treatment of diseases such as depression, acne, high cholesterol and hay fever may cause lip cracking as a side effect.
Vitamin or mineral deficiency: Although not as common as other causes, chapped lips can be caused by a lack of vitamins or minerals in the body. Some B group vitamins in the body, such as A, B2, B3, B6, iron or zinc deficiency, can cause symptoms such as chapped lips and inflammation.
Lip injury: Injuries are another common cause of cracking. It is more common in people who come into contact with sports such as football or hockey. Blowing lips and biting lips are other important causes of lip damage. In the event of injury, bleeding and swelling are seen in addition to the cracked lip.
As can be understood from all these, there are many causes of lip cracking, and the determination and elimination of crack factors constitute the most important step of the treatment.
How does lip cracking go?
There are some applications that can be done at home to prevent lip cracking or to accelerate healing in case of cracking. Some of them can be listed as follows:
Protection of lips: Exposure to cold weather, dry air, wind, and sun can dry lips and cause them to crack. For this reason, you can apply balm or petroleum jelly on your lips before going out. This provides a protective barrier to keep your lips moist. It is helpful to use a sunscreen lip balm to prevent sunburn. In addition, natural moisturizing oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil can be used.
You should avoid licking, sucking and biting your lips. It is helpful to use moisturizing lip balm to break the habit of licking. It should be ensured that the moisturizer used is a quality and natural product that does not contain coloring and fragrance chemicals.
Increased fluid intake: Drying and cracking of the lips are more common in people who do not consume enough fluid. Therefore, drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day helps prevent cracking.
Applying a cold compress: If bleeding occurs due to cracking, the bleeding can stop quickly by applying cold compresses.
Honey: Honey is a healing food with antibacterial properties that is good for lip dryness and cracking. For this purpose, some real honey and cream is applied to the lips. It is left for 15 minutes and washed with warm water. This application nourishes your lips and speeds up the healing process.
Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera gel is a herbal ingredient that is frequently preferred in the treatment of carcinoma cracks with its protective and therapeutic properties. You can get rid of the chapped problem by regularly applying a small amount of aloe vera gel to your lips for a few days.
Cucumber: Cucumber, which is often preferred in skin care, can also be preferred to provide moisture support to the lips thanks to its high water content. Sliced cucumbers can be left on the chapped lip for 10-15 minutes.
Saltwater: Salt water helps keep the wound clean during the healing process. For this purpose, add a tablespoon of salt to a small glass of warm water. A cotton cloth or cotton ball is dipped in this mixture and rubbed on the lips. There may be burning and pain on the lips during application, but these disappear after a few minutes.
Natural peeling: The peeling you will prepare with powdered sugar and lemon juice helps to remove the dead skin on the lips. Mix a tablespoon of powdered sugar with a few drops of lemon juice and bring it to the proper consistency. After this application, a moisturizing lip balm should be used to prevent the lip from cracking again.