Chapped or dry lips can be very painful and unattractive. Many people ignore them, taking it for granted that they will heal but that's not the case often. These lips further lead to serious problems like tearing and bleeding, injuring the tissue in your lips. Dry lips can also turn black if they are not treated and can give your face a very depressing look. There are a number of dry lips causes which are prevalent in the populations all around the world, most of them being carelessness.
It is a common understanding that dry, chapped lips are caused due to weather changes which is one common environmental reason for them. But mostly it accounts to the diet and lifestyle we take up that leads to these minor problems which further lead to drastic health issues. Given below are some major causes which are curable and can be reduced as well.
Most Common Causes
When you say you are suffering from cracked lips because of the cold weather changes, it is mainly due to the dehydration in those cells which then lead to the breaking and peeling of the skin. There are some reasons and causes, which may be diet, health conditions, and some products. When these conditions prevail for a very long time or the usage of certain products is more than proportion, dry lips are experienced. Take a look at some more causes for more serious conditions.
Diet
Even though there are considered healthy for the body, they don't prove very healthy for our lips and thus cause dehydration of the mouth. Fruits like figs, citrus and juices of these can give rise to a toxic reaction with the sunlight and cause an allergic reaction on the lips. Similarly, cobalt from Vitamin B12 and Vitamin A can also have the same effects on our lips and buccal cavity. Flavoring agents like red dye in candies, gum and mouth washes as well as toothpastes can also cause these ruptures of dry skin and tissues on the lips. These can be some chronic causes and lead to bleeding of the cracked lips leading to infections and other irritations.
Daily Products
Unknowingly, there can be many such everyday commercial products that we use. The chemicals present in them are a big threat in such cases. Cosmetics like lipsticks consist of propyl gallate which acts as a serious hindrance to the natural oils in your lips. Women who use lipsticks everyday for the whole day should be very careful in applying them or then choosing a herbal brand. Similarly, lip balms and moisturizers used to reduce these chapped lips can further increase their existence and lead to adverse effects. This is mainly due to the petroleum bases involved in their making.
Life Styles
Smoking and drugs not only affect you internally but they also lead to dehydration in lips. They destroy the natural oils which prevent dehydration in lips and give chapping a rise. Another reason can be using medicines and acne creams more often. They can dry your lips away and lead to bleeding and infection. Fungal infections on lips and around your mouth due to unhygienic conditions can also be a very prominent cause. Thus, your lifestyle and habits can contribute to some extremely dry lips.
Remedies to Consider
The causes can be many but there are always cures and remedies to reduce and avoid them. Some such cures are given in the following paragraph.
- Drink as much water as you can, and don't allow your lips to get dry.
- Eat fresh green vegetables such as leafy ones as they help your skin to grow and give it a healthy and lustrous look.
- Apply cucumber juice or a slice of it every morning or evening as it keeps your lips hydrated and healthy. Aloe Vera gels are also very helpful for dry lips.
- If you want to apply lipsticks and balms apply the herbal and lustrous ones which keep your lips from the environmental changes and prevent them from chapping.
- Avoid smoking and consumption of regular drugs.
- Use butter oil or milk cream before sleeping and if it is very serious, try using antibiotics with a doctor's prescription.
