According to the Mayo Clinic, chapped lips are caused by a number of things, including wind exposure, sunburn, cold air, dry air, breathing through the open mouth, licking of the lips, dehydration or contact with irritating agents. Chapped lips are not considered to be serious, but they can be uncomfortable. Lips that crack and bleed can lead to moderate discomfort. Prevention and treatment are simple. Severely chapped lips can be healed with the use of a simple home remedy.
Step 1
Slather on a generous amount of petroleum jelly. Be sure to cover all areas of the lips. The jelly will restore moisture to the skin right away. Wait 30 minutes or so before removing the generous amount of jelly.
Step 2
Wet a cloth with warm water. Use the cloth as a gentle exfoliator by rubbing the lips to remove dried skin. Do not press hard or force the skin off. Gently swipe the lips only a few times to remove the skin, and avoid wiping bleeding skin.
Step 3
Replace a small amount of petroleum jelly on the lips. Apply a small amount of hydrocortisone cream to the most severe areas to help heal it quickly. Try antibiotic creams made for lips for the open wound areas.
Tips and Warnings
- The Mayo Clinic suggests increasing fluid intake to promote skin hydration. It is also important to reduce the amount of times you lick your lips each day, as this only irritates the skin. The Mayo Clinic explains that saliva evaporates quickly and makes the lips drier than they were prior to licking them. Use a lip product with sunscreen on a daily basis to reduce irritation from sun, wind and cold weather. Use unflavored lip balms and those that are fragrance-free when possible.
Things You'll Need
- Petroleum jelly
- Washcloth
- Hydrocortisone cream or commercial chapped lip product
Member Comments