Dry Chapped Skin

Updated on December 09, 2009
R.F. asks from Burleson, TX
14 answers

Hi Moms! Every winter my son gets very dry chapped skin all around his mouth and on his cheeks. I know it is common this time of year and he has had this problem since birth but I don't know what to put on it. The problem is he licks his upper lip almost constantly. Ever since he was born his tongue has been licking his lips around his mouth and even in his nose (yes IN his nose). I usually put moisturizing Chapstick on it but sometimes it bruns the open and sore parts. I am trying to find something to help him but also won't make him sick if he licks it off. I usually try to wipe his face dry and keep it as clean as I can during the day and put medication on it at night so he con't lick it off. Let me know your thoughts. He is 4. Thanks Moms! Merry Christmas!

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P.W.

answers from Dallas on

If you think he would use a chapstick type thing this is a great product, but you do have to re-apply if it gets wiped off. I suppose you could try to convince him it is cool to have his own stick and offer a reward if he uses it enough.

http://www.shaklee.net/healinghappens/product/32517

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A.K.

answers from Dallas on

We use Aquaphor (like Vaseline, but better) for this problem. Our children also have this.

1 mom found this helpful

M.A.

answers from Dallas on

Hello R.,

My 7 year old has/had eczema. I've used Arbonne's baby line on her. I have her put it on her face everyday and it works wonders. I LOVE it. Arbonne also has lip service for the lips. One of the little girls at my daughter's school has eczema and her lips were horrible (worse I'd EVER seen) so I got this product for her and it has helped her so much.

I'm thinking the reason he's licking his lips and around his lips is because the moisture makes them feel better. I could be wrong as I'm not a dr.

I do have a sample of the baby products if you'd like to try them. Please let me know.

A little about Arbonne's product no animal products or by-products (Vegan certified), dermatologist tested, baby products are peditrician tested, hypoallergenic, never tested on animals, ph correct, botanically based and contains no mineral oil.

Hope this information helps.

Take care and God bless!

M.

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C.T.

answers from Dallas on

There is no product for dry skin that is better than Eucerin Aquaphor.

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S.R.

answers from Dallas on

i'v used vit. E and butt balm for the cheeks(weird i know, but worked great)

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

There are several things that help but are not a " cure".

At our house, the products we like are Aquaphor, Eucerin, Vaseline and plain chapstick,

it takes effort but you can get it under control.

Good luck!

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K.G.

answers from Dallas on

My 8 yo son has always done the same thing,he gets to where he looks like a clown! It gets so bad that he has to hold a cold wet washcloth on his lips sometimes! We use Vaseline (make sure it's plain and doesn't have perfume - like the baby powder scented ones). I also like Aquafor, but haden't thought to try it for this, so I'm going to see if he'll put that on! He is better about putting stuff on (that doesn't sting) as he's gotten older (because of course he cares more about how he looks)!

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T.T.

answers from Dallas on

We have used Aquaphor since my oldest was a baby and it works wonders! You can find it in the lotion aisle w/the Eucerine products. My kids still get chapped areas on their faces so we still use it on them!

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A.H.

answers from Tyler on

Lansinoh Lanolin you find this with the breastfeeding products its in a purple box its AWESOME my middle son has constant chapping and this fixes it up! I keep a tube around all the time!

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A.

answers from Dallas on

Gotta put in my vote for the aquaphor! It is great!! Good luck..I am sure it is a hard thing to see those red cheeks! This should help a lot! ~A.~

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E.C.

answers from Dallas on

I use aquafor or vaseline on my 18 month-old. She has the same problem. I just make it a routine in the morning before dropping her off at daycare and then at night time. I have the ladies at school apply some vaseling at every diaper change as well. It is a lot of work; however, it keeps it from getting bad. Good luck!

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V.P.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter used to have the same problem and we swear by Burt's Bees. It's a little more expenseive than Chapstick but SO worth it. In the beginning, I actually found it helpful to apply right before she went to bed, then again about an hour later (she slept right through the second application). After just a night or two, it was so much better. You can find it at Target, WalMart, CVS, etc. It normally rund $3-4 per stick.

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D.C.

answers from Dallas on

I use lanolin when my daughter gets chapped cheeks or lips in the winter time. It's for breastfeeding moms, so I'm not worried about her getting it in her mouth. I would avoid using petroleum-based products such as Vaseline or lotions/creams that contain petrolatum, as these may irritate the skin, and they are also suspected carcinogens.

A little bit of lanolin goes a long way, and you should see improvement in a day or two. Also, maybe keep a humidifier running in his room at night to help with the dryness.

Good luck.

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L.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hi R.!

I agree with Debbie C about not using petroleum based products like Vaseline. Year round, I use Coconut Oil on my daughter. She recently, with the cold weather, is getting a dry, red spot around her mouth (dry combined with drool from teething), and it helps soothe and moisturize while being totally non-toxic. I got my coconut oil in the cooking oil section of the health food store. You can cook with it too :)...although her jar of coconut oil is strictly for her! :) Hope this helps!

God's Grace to you,

Lisa Crane :)

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