You observe your child keeps licking her lips, then notice there are red, flaky areas from where the lips have become chapped. From temperatures to dehydration, there are a number of factors that can cause your child's lips to be affected. Because knowing the cause of the chapped lips can help you determine treatment, it's important to determine why her lips are chapped.
Lip Licking
If you observe your child frequently licks his lips, this can be the cause of the chapped appearance, according to The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Children. This condition is most common in children ages seven to 15 and is characterized by a pink band around the mouth, according to Skinsight.com. When your child licks his lips, this temporarily provides moisture to the area. However, as the saliva evaporates, the lips may be left more dry than before. For this reason, it's important to stop the continual cycle of lip licking through moisturizing treatments that can reduce your child's tendency to lick his lips, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Medications
Both topical and oral medications are associated with chapped lips, according to Skinsight.com. These medications include isotrenoin, acitretin, lithium, busulfan, actinomycin, d-penicillame, isoniazid and phenothiazine. Talk with your child's pediatrician if you observe this side effect in your child and are worried the lips could become infected or if the chapped lips seem to be worsening.
Cold Air
Wintry air can rob your child's lips of moisture, according to Dr. Alan Greene, a pediatrician and author, on his Dr. Greene website. If your child has been playing outside or taking a walk in the winter air, the wind and cold temperatures can cause the lips to become chapped. Applying a petroleum lip balm before your child goes outside can help to shield her from this condition.
Dehydration
The body relies on water to keep the skin moist and plump in appearance. If your child does not take in enough water or water-based fluids, chapped lips can be a sign that she needs to drink more water and could potentially be dehydrated, according to Skinsight.com.
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