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MY LIPS ARE DRY!! WHAT TO DO??

Yes...Dry lips is a matter of concern for many. Is it normal?Is it a warning sign of some serious internal disease?How do we manage dry lips?..Questions from patients are endless..  So let's address this issue in and out today


Why do you have dry lips?

Reasons for dry lips can be many such as:-

*Dehydration

*Dry weather

*Long term exposure to air conditioned environment

*Excess sun exposure

*Excess or low quality or expired lip cosmetics

*Medications

*Chelitis

*Angular chelitis or Perleche

*Atopy-in people with allergic or atopic history , skin and lips tend to be dry faster


What is chelitis?

Chelitis means inflammation of the lips which can be due to an  allergic reaction to your toothpaste or any cosmetics or any medications (cancer chemotherapy, retinoids) or due to any cause of lip dryness which were listed above


What is angular chelitis?

Angular chelitis means the inflammation of the corners of mouth. Patient develop, dryness, fissuring, pain and in extremely severe cases,even frank bleeding.Angular chelitis can be due to the following causes:-

*Fungal candidiasis:- especially in people with uncontrolled diabetes and in people on steroid  therapy

*Use of retinoids:- Retinoids are now widely used for skin care but non-judicious use without medical advice can result in severe angular chelitis

* Nutritional deficiency-Mainly Iron, Zinc and vitamin B deficiencies are implicated in angular chelitis


How to correct lip dryness?

*Use an SPF containing sunscreen lip balm 3-4 times during day time 

*Healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals

*Daily intake of 3 to 4 litres of water

*Vitamin supplements or gummies containing Vitamin B and Iron

*Use of minimal lip make up with good quality products within the expiry date

*Antifungal creams or lotions for angular chelitis due to candidiasis 

*Moisturize the lips before going to bed,every day


CONCLUSION 

Lip dryness can be due to many causes ranging from dehydration to even some infections. It can be cured with few simple but highly effective measures as mentioned.



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