Peeling lips is a fairly common problem that every girl has encountered at least once in her life. And some people constantly suffer from this. But how to deal with this very unpleasant problem? What to do if your lips peel and crack?
Lips are a rather delicate part of the face. The skin there is not the same as on the body; it is more exposed to a variety of negative influences.
That is why if your lips crack and peel, then the first thing you need to do is find out the reason for this manifestation. This is the first step towards fixing the problem. Here are the main reasons:
How to deal with the problem?
What to do about peeling and cracking lips? It is necessary to act comprehensively, since influence in only one direction will not get rid of the problem. Here's what will be effective:
Ordinary helps baby cream, containing both anti-inflammatory and moisturizing components. Lubricate the entire surface of your lips with this cream at night so that you don’t feel tightness in the morning.
If you want your lips to look healthy and well-groomed, just follow the simple recommendations below:
- Don't stay in the sun for too long. And if you sunbathe on the beach, then be sure to apply it to your lips. sunscreen. It is better to use a special balm, but regular milk will do.
- Do not lick your lips, especially in the wind or cold. They will dry out instantly and crack almost immediately.
- Choose your cosmetics responsibly. Give preference to products based on natural and hypoallergenic ingredients. The composition may include nutritional oils, vitamins and other components.
- Buy some lip balms. Put one in your purse, put another in a visible place in the office, and leave the third at home. Then you will remember to use this important tool.
- Don't bite your lips or pinch them. If you have one bad habit, get rid of it as soon as possible.
Let your lips look stunning! Take care of them so that it will always be like this.
The sayings of the ancient Chinese “aesculapians” that have come down to us from the depths of thousands of years say: “The face is a mirror image of health and all diseases are written on it, beauty and health are inseparable.”
If you take this seriously, this phrase contains truth. You cannot boast of a “blooming appearance” if your insides are gnawed by illness. There are actually five zones on the face by which the condition of the body can presumably be diagnosed. What can be determined by the external condition of flaky lips, and how does modern medicine interpret this?
Reasons why lips dry, crack and peel
Due to the fact that a person’s lips are not protected by anything and are covered with a very thin, delicate and sensitive skin, deprived sebaceous glands, they are very susceptible to external negative influence. And this is the most harmless reason that causes dryness, peeling and cracking of lips.
However, the reasons causing this unpleasant symptom great multitude. When unpleasant and painful manifestations long time cannot be treated, the cause begins to be sought among internal disorders in the body. Since the state of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system and dental problems are projected onto the mouth area, the search for the root cause begins in this direction.
But there is another reason, it is the most probable, because it can manifest itself as a result of a wide variety of influences. This is an inflammatory disease of the lips - cheilitis.
There are several main forms and manifestations of cheilitis:
- exfoliative;
- glandular;
- meteorological and actinic.
The symptomatic manifestation is as varied as its variations - manifested by atopic and eczematous forms, chronic fissures and other signs.
1. Cheilitis of the exfoliative form. The impetus for development is a decrease in immune functions. A hereditary factor cannot be ruled out. Mental imbalance and stressful situations contribute to the development of the disease.
The dry form is manifested by redness and peeling of the skin along the border of the lips, the formation of light, easily removable dry crusts. Dry skin develops a constant habit of moisturizing the lips by licking them with the tongue, aggravating the situation with additional chapping and formation skin peeling in the corners of the lips
With exudative manifestations, swelling of the lips, hyperemia, burning and soreness are noted. Easily removable yellow-gray crusts appear between the labial border and mucous tissue.
2. Grand form caused by inflammatory reactions in the salivary glands located in the area of the labial border. From small red dots, droplets of salivary secretions constantly appear on the border, in the form of dew. Constant moisture and evaporation of liquid causes flaky and dry lips. Because of this, cracks and erosion appear. Penetration of infection into the inflamed glands is manifested by purulent formations, swelling and severe pain.
3. Meteorological cheilitis– consequence of influence external factors: humidity, frost or cold. The development of inflammatory disease is influenced by the presence of chronic skin pathologies and structural features skin. Signs of the disease include hyperemia, swelling, tightness, dry skin and constant peeling of the lips. Often there is an irresistible desire to moisturize them. Prolonged course is complicated by the formation of cracks.
4. Actinic appearance inflammatory disease of the lips is caused by an increased reaction to the influence ultraviolet radiation, each time worsening with prolonged exposure to sun rays. Lips become red, dry, scaly and cracked. Areas of compaction and long-lasting erosive lesions form on the lips. If such signs appear with enviable regularity, this indicates a chronic process and a possible process of malignancy. (degeneration into oncological formations).
5. Thomas atopic cheilitis manifests itself with signs characteristic of skin pathologies - neurodermatitis or atopic dermatitis. The lips and the border surrounding them become very red and dry, and cracks appear. The skin above the lip peels, there is a burning sensation and itchy symptoms. All this may be a consequence of an allergic reaction to medications, house dust, pollen, bacteria and microorganisms, as well as food.
6. Eczematous form inflammatory disease. It happens that a sign of peeling of the lips is a consequence of a neuroallergic process, manifested by the general symptoms of eczematous development. In acute cases, bubble formations, scales, crusts and swelling appear on the hyperemic labial outline.
All these “delights” burn, itch, and are accompanied by painful symptoms. The pathological reaction covers the adjacent skin. With a protracted chronic process, the signs of swelling and hyperemia are less pronounced, but the affected skin thickens and becomes covered with scales and peeling.
7. Often signs of cheilitis are manifested by structural tissue disorders in the form of the formation of a deep transverse, long-healing and very painful crack on the edging labial border. Its formation is facilitated by stress, trauma, addictions and chronic pathologies. If healing does not take place for a long time, a dark crust appears on the crack, the adjacent tissues swell and become inflamed.
The inflammatory process spreads to the tissue surface of the lips, causing redness and peeling of the skin in the corners of the lips. It is clear that healing is difficult, which is hampered by the constant movement of the lips while eating or talking. Even after healing, possible relapses occur in the same location, and the frequent appearance of cracks increases the risk of malignancy.
It is characteristic that the development of cheilitis is preceded by inept treatment of peeling lips that appeared due to exposure to external environment, infection, or inept use cosmetics, which disrupt the nutritional functions of the lips and contribute to the development of inflammatory processes. Therefore, to increase the effectiveness of treatment, you need to know exactly what to do for flaky lips.
Lips peel and crack - what to do, how to treat?
If your lips have been peeling and cracking for a long time, and are not amenable to self-treatment, you need to think about possible problems inside the body, which contribute to this. And only a doctor can solve this issue by conducting the necessary examination.
The treatment program for peeling lips is drawn up according to the final diagnosis and includes:
- The use of soothing and sedatives, indifferent creams for lubricating the affected skin of the lips, made on the basis of lanolin, petroleum jelly, salicylic acid, or boric acid. Such ointments are not absorbed by the affected skin, but help to soften the keratinized flaky layer of the epidermis and, then, easy removal formed scales. At the same time, Bucca therapy procedures (radiation radiation) can be prescribed if problematic traces of peeling remain on the lips, as well as the drug “Pyrogenal”, which improves metabolic processes.
- For severe inflammatory processes, Prednisalone or Hydrocartisone ointments and protective corticosteroid creams in the form of Flucinar help.
- For enlarged salivary glands, an electrocoagulation procedure is performed, or excision of problem areas of the enlarged glands.
- The established fact of an allergic effect on the appearance of cracking and peeling of the epidermis of the lips is stopped by the antiallergic drugs “Suprastin”, “Claritin”, “Fenkarol”. Appointed vitamin complexes, corticosteroid drugs and ointments such as Afloderma and Ceralipa, lotions with chamomile or tea infusion. An anti-allergenic diet is recommended.
- In case of development of eczematous pathology, antimicrobial drugs “Sinalar-N”, “Lorinden-S”, or “Dexocord” and local treatment with corticosteroid ointments are used.
- Treatment of chronic cracks on the lips is carried out with various ointments containing antibiotics - “Dibiomycin”, “Tetracycline”. Anti-inflammatory ointments: "Indomethacin", corticosteroids "Dermozolonova" or "Sinolar" ointments, antimicrobial "Nistitin" or "Lovorin". As epithelializing applications - oil solutions with vitamin A, rose hips and calendula, Shostakovsky balm.
To enhance therapeutic therapy, physiotherapeutic procedures in the form of endonasal electrophoresis, UHF and ultrasound therapy or UV irradiation can be prescribed. In the presence of infiltrative manifestations - a course of phonophoresis. It should be noted that treatment of the skin of the lips only with external means is very slow, and the prescription of the necessary drugs for internal use is selected individually.
Only timely comprehensive treatment of flaky, inflamed and cracked lips can achieve a complete cure and prevent the processes of malignancy (transition), which occur in more than 3% of patients.
Peeling lips is a very unpleasant problem that not only causes discomfort, but also affects appearance. And this is important for both men and women.
As a rule, the reason lies in simple inattention to oneself, and if this is the case, it is enough to know a few simple ways How to get rid of peeling lips to restore their attractiveness and health.
General description of the problem
Every person has experienced unpleasant sensations on their lips at least once in their life. They forgot to apply balm - and in the cold they became chapped; They didn’t notice that the lipstick didn’t suit the skin very well - and a thin film came off from the top layer.
Dryness can manifest itself most different symptoms, including the formation of crusts, peeling, the appearance of cracks, redness, a feeling of slight but obsessive itching, and soreness.
Causes of the problem
Problems arise because there are no sweat glands on this part of the body, as well as mechanisms that produce lubrication. Because of this, the skin remains unprotected and susceptible to various external and internal factors. There are quite a few reasons why lips become cracked, dry and flaky. And it is very important to deal with them in order not only to properly get rid of the problem, but also to prevent its further manifestation.
So, among the possible pathogens the following can be noted:
Reason to see a doctor
In most cases, lips dry, peel and crack for elementary reasons - failure to follow hygiene rules, neglect to take care of the delicate skin of the face. However, if a problem appears, it is important to observe the nature of the changes: if, in addition to peeling, bumps with a whitish coating appear, it is necessary to be examined by a specialist. In some cases, scraping may reveal the presence of an infection - herpes, fungal disease and the like.
Also a reason to consult with a specialist is prolonged but unsuccessful self-medication of chapped skin.
Specific Treatments
If there is no need to go to the doctor to determine what to do if your lips are dry, flaky and cracked, you can cope by simple means, which our grandmothers knew.
Vitamins
Vitamin deficiency is one of the most important reasons the appearance of peeling, dryness and cracks on the face, as immunity decreases and the body is not able to cope with even its simplest tasks. Therefore, you need to start with this method of treatment, namely by replenishing the lack of vitamins.
Main vitamins normal level which in the body are responsible for the condition of the skin are A, E and B vitamins. If these substances are missing, problems begin: dryness skin, the appearance of pimples and blackheads, as well as fatigue.
It is best to use complexes that can be easily found in any pharmacy to compensate for the lack of vitamins. If you are in doubt about the dosage and duration of the course, it is best to consult your doctor. Valuable advice A pharmacist will also be able to give you one, so do not neglect their recommendations.
There are also vitamins A and E in the form of individual capsules. However, in order for the course not to be in vain, it is necessary to maintain it proper nutrition: include in your diet orange vegetables high in carotene, e.g. bell pepper, pumpkin, sea buckthorn, yolk, liver and, of course, carrots. Vitamin E can also be found in familiar products nutrition, for example, in peas, eggs, almonds, spinach and soy.
Maskfrom peeling and cracks
The most best mask for peeling – it’s a vitamin oil mixture. To prepare it, purchase it at the pharmacy. oil solution one of two essential vitamins and apply to the surface of the skin. After fifteen minutes, wipe your lips with a napkin, removing any remaining mask.
No matter how much you would like to get rid of this unpleasant loose skin as quickly as possible, you should never scrub your lips if they have even minor cracks and wounds. But if peeling does not cause you any unpleasant or painful sensations, and there are no signs of disease, you can use a scrub. For prevention, repeat the procedure once or twice a month.
Healing oils
To get rid of flaking, you can use simple and affordable oils.
Aloe juice is also a unique and universal healing agent. You can use a house plant by simply cutting off one of its leaves, or buy the juice at the pharmacy.
If the problem arose due to the use of low-quality cosmetics, it is usually enough to simply get rid of these tubes. If after some time severe peeling If it doesn't go away, try using corticosteroid ointment. If that doesn’t help, run to the doctor.
Further prevention of the problem
The easiest way to avoid a situation where your lip is constantly peeling and dry is to use a balm before going outside. If you are one of those who do not trust cosmetic offers, it is recommended to make your own balm.
Recipe: melt a coffee spoon of wax, butter (you can use cocoa butter, almond butter, shea butter or plain olive oil), add a spoonful of cocoa powder. Pour the resulting liquid into a lipstick tube and leave to harden. Natural homemade balm is ready. It is advisable to store it in the refrigerator. Shelf life is about six months.
By the way, oil can be not only a medicine, but also prophylactic. A useful practice is lip massage, which is recommended to be done once a week so that the skin is always toned.
The red border on the outside and the mucous membrane of the lips on the side of the oral cavity have slightly different structures, resistance to adverse factors and properties. “Chapping” of lips or the appearance of cracks on them are manifestations familiar to many people, especially during periods of cold, windy weather and lack of vitamins. Many conditions, e.g. elevated temperature bodies, viral infection or an allergic reaction may appear on the lips.
Cheilitis is a benign inflammatory disease of the lips. A distinction is made between cheilitis itself and symptomatic inflammation in other diseases.
Classification of lip diseases
There are several types of cheilitis, differing depending on the causes and characteristics of the clinical course.- Actually cheilitis: exfoliative, glandular, meteorological and actinic.
- Symptomatic cheilitis: atopic, eczematous, chronic fissure of the lips, cheilitis due to hypovitaminosis and other forms.
Exfoliative cheilitis
Reasons for development: stress, hereditary predisposition, mental disorders, decreased immunity. Manifestations:
- in the dry form - the appearance of dry, light, peelable crusts throughout the red border of the lips, redness, and peeling. A habit of constantly licking your lips appears.
- in the exudative form - pain, redness, burning and swelling of the lips, the appearance of gray-yellow crusts in the Klein zone (between the red border and the mucous membrane). The crusts are easily removed, there is no erosion underneath.
Treatment: soothing sedatives, lubricating the lips with indifferent creams, removing crusts with 2% boric acid solution and exposure to boundary rays (Bucca radiation) 2 Gy 2 times a week. At the same time, drugs are prescribed that increase the body's reactivity, for example, Pyrogenal.
Glandular cheilitis
An inflammatory disease of the lips associated with the work of the small salivary glands located in this area. More common in men over 50 years of age.
Manifestations: red dots are observed on the red border of the lips, from which droplets of saliva appear - a symptom of “dew drops”. Due to constant moisturizing and evaporation of moisture, dry lips quickly develop, cracks and erosions appear. If an infection gets into the dilated ducts of the glands, pus, swelling and severe soreness of the lips appear.
Treatment: anti-inflammatory ointments (hydrocortisone, prednisolone), electrocoagulation and excision of enlarged salivary glands.
Meteorological cheilitis
Under the influence of unfavorable environmental factors (humidity, cold, wind, frost, etc.), meteorological cheilitis can develop. Important role plays a role in the structure of the skin and the presence of chronic skin diseases.
Manifestations: lips become red, swollen, there is a feeling of tightening of the lips, peeling, dryness. With prolonged flow, cracks may appear. A person constantly licks his lips, trying to moisten them.
Treatment: avoid unfavorable environmental factors, treat lips with protective softening creams, corticosteroid ointments (if necessary), take a course of multivitamins.
Actinic cheilitis
This form of lip inflammation is associated with their hypersensitivity to action ultraviolet rays. The disease worsens when long stay in the sun.
Manifestations: the disease begins with dry lips, redness, cracking and the formation of scales. In the future, long-term non-healing erosions, ulcers, and areas of lip compaction may form. With the development of a chronic form, there is a risk of malignancy of the disease and its transition to precancer.
Treatment: use of photoprotective creams on the street, corticosteroid ointments (prednisolone, Flucinar). A course of vitamins and nicotinic acid are prescribed; in some cases, antimalarial drugs (Delagil 0.25 g 2 times a day for 2–3 weeks) and corticosteroids (prednisolone 10 mg per day) are added to the treatment.
Atopic cheilitis
This disease is one of the symptoms of neurodermatitis and is often found in children and adolescents.
Causes: the effect of allergens - medications, household dust, pollen, microorganisms, bacteria, .
Manifestations: the red border of the lips and the surrounding skin become red, dry, flaky, and cracks form on them. A person feels burning, itching, dry skin.
Treatment: antiallergic drugs (Suprastin, Claritin, Fenkarol), B vitamins are recommended. For long-term cases, corticosteroids are prescribed for 2-3 weeks. Corticosteroid ointments are used locally 4–5 times a day. Good results are obtained by using Bukki boundary rays. It is recommended to exclude possible allergens from food during treatment and limit carbohydrate intake.
Eczematous cheilitis
It is a symptom of a general eczematous process - inflammation of the superficial layers of the skin of a neuroallergic nature.
Manifestations: in the acute stage, bubbles, crusts, scales on the red border are observed, lips swell, the person feels pain, itching, burning. The process extends to the surrounding skin. In the chronic course of the disease, swelling and redness are much less, areas of the lips and affected skin become thicker, scales and peeling appear on them.
Treatment: desensitizing and sedative drugs are prescribed. Locally treat the inflamed areas with corticosteroid ointments and antimicrobial drugs (Lorinden S, Sinalar-N, Dexocort).
Chronic cracked lips
One of the factors contributing to the appearance of chronic cracked lips is smoking. A fissure is a linear violation of the integrity of tissues; it can form on the red border of the lips, on the skin, in the corners of the mouth. It occurs frequently and takes a long time to heal.
Causes: individual characteristics lip structure, dryness, chronic injury, bad habits(licking, sucking), smoking, stress, chronic diseases.
Manifestations: a single deep linear crack occurs, located transversely on the red border of the lips, very painful, and can spread to the skin. If the crack lasts for a long time, it becomes covered with brown crusts, and the tissue around it becomes swollen and painful. Healing is difficult due to the constant movement of the lips during conversation and eating. Recurrences of lip defects appear in the same places. In 6% of cases, cracks can become malignant.
Treatment: wound healing agents (sea buckthorn oil, rose hips, Solcoseryl), anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, tetracycline or calendula-based ointment).
Lip diseases are common. Not all people pay due attention to the manifestations of inflammation on the lips and do not proper treatment. You should still remember that if they persist for a long time, they can develop into a more serious disease - precancer of the lips. It is not at all difficult to consult a doctor if there are frequent exacerbations of the disease. If softening protective balms, creams, lipsticks do not provide positive effect and the inflammation of the lips only intensifies, the need to use it becomes obvious special means, which only a doctor can choose.
Which doctor should I contact?
If cracks, dryness, or crusts appear on your lips, you should consult a dentist. Additional assistance will be provided by a dermatologist and cosmetologist. If the disease is of an allergic nature, consultation with an allergist is necessary.