Chapped lips can be uncomfortable, and even painful when smiling or yawning. Chapped lips occur when the skin on the lips dry out due to dry heat or cold winter weather, from licking your lips frequently, dehydration, having a cold, or from exposure to the sun. In most cases, chapped lips are not a serious medical condition and do not require a doctor's attention.
Hydration
Lips become chapped when the skin cells on the surface of the lips are depleted of moisture. To restore moisture to your lips, hydrate your body, both inside and out. Drink plenty of liquids throughout the day, recommends Mayo Clinic dermatologist, Lawrence E. Gibson, MD. Drink water, herbal tea, chicken or vegetable broth, and diluted fruit juices, like a half glass of orange or apple juice diluted with one half water. Run a humidifier in your room to keep your lips hydrated at night. A humidifier releases water vapor into the air, which can be absorbed by the skin cells on your lips.
Beeswax
Use beeswax to help seal in moisture and create a barrier that keeps you from licking the moisture away. Beeswax is a thick, water-resistant substance that is the main ingredient in a variety of store-bought lip glosses and lip balms. Rodney Basler, MD, assistant professor at the University of Nebraska College of medicine recommends beeswax as an effective way to help heal chapped lips in "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies." Apply a lip balm that contains beeswax, liberally, as needed, throughout the day to help keep lips moisturized.
Antibacterial Cream
Chapped lips are more likely to crack as you talk, eat and smile throughout the day. Like a scrape on your arm, a crack in your lip becomes an entryway for bacteria and can become infected. To reduce the chance of infection and kill bacteria, apply a small amount of antibacterial cream or gel on the lips once a day. If an area of your lips become infected, consult a doctor, who can prescribe an antibiotic, if necessary.
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