Most of the time, cracked lips are caused by chapping, which is common during dry weather. Another cause of lip chapping is a cold or sinus problem that causes nasal congestion, making you breathe through your mouth and drying out your lips in the process. Occasionally, cracked lips may be caused by potentially serious health problems. According to DermNetNZ, cracked lips may, in rare cases, indicate Kawasaki disease, especially in young children. Rarely, cracks or sores that do not heal may be caused by cancer. If chapped or cracked lips persist despite home treatment, see your doctor for an evaluation to rule out other health concerns.
Step 1
Apply a lip balm to your lips, especially before heading outdoors in cold or dry weather, suggests Medline Plus. Those containing petrolatum or beeswax are very effective in treating and preventing cracked, chapped lips.
Step 2
Use sunscreen on your lips daily. This will protect them from the sun's damaging rays, which is necessary even on overcast days.
Step 3
Keep your lips moist and supple, suggests MayClinic.com. Do this by drinking more fluids and running a humidifier in the house, especially in your bedroom, to keep the air in the house more moist.
Step 4
Avoid licking your lips and breathing through your mouth. Both of these, according to MayoClinic.com, can contribute to chapping. If you need to, treat nasal congestion to allow you to breathe through your nose and avoid flavored lip balms, which may encourage licking.
Step 5
Take a multivitamin if you think that your diet is lacking in nutrients, suggests FamilyDoctor.org. If you are concerned about this possibility, see your doctor as well.
Things You'll Need
- Lip balm
- Sunscreen
- Humidifier
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