Feelin’ the Burn?

Every winter when the weather gets cold many people suffer from dry chapped lips.  

Michelle Dreger, Dr. Ph, at our Randolph store, was nice enough to share some information regarding chapped lips, an issue that runs rampant this time of the year.

What Causes it?

Why do we get chapped lips? The cold, dry air tends to pull the moisture out of our lips causing them to dry out and possibly crack. Some people also tend to breath through their mouth rather than their nose. This can also cause the lips to dry out and become chapped. Sometimes we feel that by licking our lips we can make it better, but in reality it will just make the problem worse! If you have a tendency to buy flavored lip balms, try non-flavored balms to help you stop licking your lips.  

So, What Should I do?

If you know you will be heading out into the cold, dry weather, consider using an oil-based lip balm and reapplying it often. Some examples are: Vaseline or Beeswax. The oil-based lip balms help to lock in moisture and keep it from drying out your lips. Lip balms like Chapstick® lubricate, but they do not hydrate. 

Lip balms actually seal out (and lock in) moisture. It is much like waxing a car; we wax a car and it feels shiny and smooth, but what does the wax do? It seals out water, much like a lip balm. Using a product such as Shea butter or vitamin E oil, which are designed to introduce moisture back into the lips, may be more appropriate. Also avoiding excessive sun and wind exposure can help as well.

Other Remedies

Other remedies to try include using a cool-mist humidifier in your home to replace some of the moisture that is lost during the cold winter months. Drinking plenty of water and keeping your body hydrated can also help. 

There are some instances where dry lips may be the side effect of taking certain types of medications such as antidepressants, antihistamines, diuretics, or even drugs for overactive bladder! Also, you may have chapped lips if your body is deficient in vitamin B, iron, or essential fatty acids. If you think this might be the case, talk with your Hometown Pharmacist at your next visit to the pharmacy!

<Photo courtesy of mylot.com>