Severely Chapped Lips

Updated on February 27, 2011
I.M. asks from Arcadia, CA
23 answers

I am just wondering if anyone else has ever had this? This has been happening for the past few years but has been with more frequency this year for some reason. It is more of an annoyance than anything and I have never felt the need to seek a doctor for it.

For a period of atleast a few weeks at a time my lips will become very tight and dry. If I open up my mouth too much the corners will crack and bleed slightly. Thinking that it may be some kind of allergic reaction to something I have kept track of what I eat, drink, where I am at the weather, ect, but have never found anything consistant that I can pin point it too that is causing this. I have also tried everykind of lip balm, Chapstick, Blistex, ect and they do nothing. The only thing that seems to help is pure petroleum gel. So I continue to use it, but as soon as it wears away or if it comes of when I am eating something the tightness comes right back.

I am just wondering if anyone out there has had this before or has any insight into what may be causing it? Or am I the only one?

Thank You

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So What Happened?

I first of all want to thank everyone for all your responses. Thanks to all of your suggestions and advice I think I have figured out what may be causing this. I am sure that one of the many remedies that you all recommended will work for me.

Again thank you all for your helpful advice!

Featured Answers

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K.M.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I too have this problem. I have found that drinking more water helps somewhat. I try to drink 3 liters per day. I also had not had much luck with chap sticks and lip balms until this week. Several people on this site suggested Aquaphor so I tried it. It works great! I won't buy anything else from now on. You should try it! I found it at Wal-Mart.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Just wanted to suggest one more product that I haven't seen anything throw out there and has really worked for me in my battle with painful chapped lips - Neosporin Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy White Petrolatum Lip Protectant. I came across it when I was researching products for severely chapped lips and I it solved my struggles. Even though it is meant for nighttime application, I also use it in the day because it has a little shimmer about it and looks nice. I think both CVS and Walmart carry it. Good luck. =0)

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A.L.

answers from Las Vegas on

try PURE coconut oil.. you can get it from wholefoods or other alternative type stores.. Additionally, lip balm is only good BEFORE you chap your lips, once you do, then it doesn't do much to heal them.. I would use the blistex to help heal but also try the coconut oil... it moistens and helps slouff off the old dry skin too..
best of luck

2 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

I.:

Not sure if you work full time or are a SAHM - if a SAHM make sure there is enough humidity in your home (we have a humidifier) that should HELP but not clear it up.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water - tea, coffee, soda (caffeinated ones) are dehydrators - believe it or not - caffeine sucks the water out of your body. I LOVE my tea - stopped drinking Coke (boo hoo!!) and have noticed a difference (losing weight, feeling better, etc).

I use the Mary Kay Extra Emollient on my lips...i use it on my kids as well!!! Blistex, Carmex, Chapstick are all nice - but don't work as good as the MK Emollient!

1 mom found this helpful

P.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hello,

I'm sorry to hear about your lip issue. It's so uncomfortable to go through dry skin! My aunt works for whole foods. When my son was born she started giving me samples of various products. Which is how I was able to try so many brands. She explained to me how a lot of lotions and products have petroleum in them which is very drying. She explained to me that the petroleum doesn't hold in moisture in your skin. She recommended Calendula products for my newborn son. After the first week I decided to try it on him. It comes in various forms. I used Calendula oil on his dry patches and it went away instantly and I have used the Calendula lotion on him daily and oil on him mostly when he was a baby. He's now 2 and he has never had dry skin and I truly believe its because of the Calendula. His skin is super soft. They even make Calendula diaper rash cream that works wonders. We choose a brand called Weleda. But California baby also makes Calendula cream also. I would try the cream since its thicker on your lips. I promise it will heal them. I wish you the best and I hope this was helpful for you! Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would suggest drinking way more water for a week or so and see it that helps. Also chapstick and all that stuff has alcohol in it so its drying and you have to keep usuing it. Try vaseline or Mary Kay's SatinLips, its a more attractive tube Be sure to put it on before bed too

1 mom found this helpful
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T.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Most lip balms are addictive, meaning, they dry out your lips so you constantly feel like you need more of it.

Get a tube of pure Lanolin and put a little on your lips before bed. They will be 90% - 100% healed by morning.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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P.K.

answers from Las Vegas on

If you are taking any medications or supplements even if you take them all the time it could be that they are causing your mouth to be dry. Does it coincide with your cycle? I just found this stuff by DERMAdoctor. I get it at sephora or ulta beauty supply and it's called Handymanum. It is a medicated repair serum with hydrocortisone in it. You can use it day or night and it really works on that dry agitated skin. It moisturizes the skin and reduces inflammation so you'll get instant relief. This line has a lot of really great products that actually seem to do what they say.

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M.H.

answers from Las Vegas on

I don't have an answer as to why this is happening but it happens to me too. I have to have something on my lips at all times or they get dry right away and I hate the feeling. I drink plenty of water but I do live in a dry desert. Carmex, petroleum jelly work great for me and if my lips are in good condition I use burts bees wax chap stick to maintain them. I have chap stick all over my house! Lol

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B.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I've had that cracking in the corner of my lips and chapped lips. They are two separate things. My doctor told me that they cracks in the corner of your lips are caused by vitamin deficiency. Chapped lips is from dehydration.

My doctor said that you are already dehydrated when you feel thirsty. Being dehydrated can effect your eyes, your teeth and even give you constipation. His solution was to take a good multivitamin daily and drink 8 glasses or more of water- spaced out through the day. Soda, coffee, and teas with caffeine don't count as water intake, and make the problem worse, because caffeine is a diuretic that makes your cells drop water. (Ever notice how a cola makes you have to run to the restroom?) So make sure that it's 8 glasses of water beside whatever else you drink. Maybe make yourself a tally chart to record when you've had glasses of water to make sure you reach at least 8? I find it easier to drink icy cold water than room temperature.

Know you're uncomfortable! I'd try this for a week and see if it clears up. If not then schedule an appointment with your physician.
Good luck! [hugs]

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S.F.

answers from Utica on

I couldnt tell you what this may be caused by but my suggestion to help combat this is to use Lanolin nipple cream for breastfeeding mommies. Its safe to ingest and I swear it will work for you. Its like petroleum jelly on sterroids. I just recently discovered that it clears up a diaper rash in 24 hrs.
(Side note: obviously I use different tubes for each of these uses LOL =)
Good Luck

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A.W.

answers from San Francisco on

It's angular cheilitis, which can be caused by a B vitamin deficiency, bacteria, or fungus.

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M.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

This dry weather is probably the biggest culprit, plus I'm going to bet you are not hydrating enough...drink a lot more water each day and I bet you notice it goes away...

Good luck!
-M

H.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

two things may contribute 1) the heater (it is a de-humidifier and may be drying out your air while you sleep) and 2) water intake - that happens to me when I am dehydrated, drink a ton of water/crystal light (water based liquid), use blistex (cream stuff, not the chap stick stuff) and it should get better. If not, ask your doctor - it could be a sign of something else.

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K.H.

answers from Memphis on

Hey there!

I don't know what the root of the problem is, but I would be a chapped-lipped nightmare without Aquaphor Healing Ointment from Eucerin. I keep it everywhere--by the bed, in the car, in my purse, in my suitcase. I used to use Petroleum Jelly/Chapstick/Blistex, the usuals, but they never DID anything. They just covered it up! And it sounds like you're having the same problem.

Try the Aquaphor. Everyone I've suggested it to has made the switch and hasn't had a problem since.

xoxo,
K. H.
www.stelladot.com/karlee123
www.facebook.com/stelladot.karlee123
www.karleehickman.com/all-that-glitters

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J.F.

answers from Minneapolis on

I also use the nipple cream on my lips, HANDS, and of rarely on my nipples. Lol! I put it on my hands at night when I know I won't have to touch anything. By morning, my hands are in much better condition. Works great on lips too.

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L.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

My lips are dry but not as bad as your problem. I have been sleeping with vaseline on my lips for years and it really helps. My friends all use carmex and swear by it. Good luck!

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M.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

this happened to me once & became so unbearable that i finally sheepishly went to the doctor. flelt so stupid going to the DOCTOR for chapped lips!

it took weeks of a prescription cortisone ointment to clear it up. i wish that i would have gone sooner.

get on in & get some help!

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K.E.

answers from Buffalo on

Yes it happens in the winter more than the summer, couple of reasons,
1. Dry air
2. Licking of lips and them freezing
Oh wait you are not in Buffalo NY(or a freezing area) my reasons are not yours, OK move on
1. Dehydration, make sure you are drinking 8 glasses of water (non sweetened, decaffinated)
I put blistex or Neosporine on my lips before going to bed every night and wow what a difference.

Good luck.

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B.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

I put chapstick on my lips before bed and most times wake up better!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

From my experience my lips become chapped when it's really dry weather out. This a sign of dehydration. You may not be drinking enough water. When there is dry or hot weather you should drink a lot more fluids.

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M.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

Several things can cause that - I get the cracked corners with too much vitamin C. My daughter gets it when she eats spicy foods. For her, only the petroleum jelly works too, and she puts it not just ON her lips but around them too. She uses it every night before bed, and if she is hanging around the house and no one will see her (being 13, this is vitally important!).

I would suggest Blistex FIRST (the medication in it helps heal) then AFTER letting it soak in for about 5-10 minutes, use the petroleum jelly over it to keep the moisture in.

I also use Blistex before I put on lipstick - again I let it soak in a bit first.

Good luck!

S.H.

answers from San Diego on

I have heard many times that lip balms, lipstick, lipgloss, chapsticks and esp. petroleum based products actually cause your lips to dry out once you stop using them. I hardly use them, but when I do, I notice my lips are drier. You are also possibly dehydrated - drink lots of water and for every soda drink, add more water. To help heal your lips, use pure coconut oil (bonus it tastes good and is great for your skin and helps regulate weight) along with a tiny drop of pure lavender and pure tea tree essential oil mixed in. Even the coconut oil on its own is healing. I even use it on other parts of my body (even my face) when the weather is dry. It has a low melting point (I believe around 75 degrees which is obviously lower than our body temperature) so it doesn't harden on your skin. On the shelf (jar) it is a white semi-hard consistency, but once it touches your skin, it melts.
Good luck,
S.

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