Although chapped lips are more common in winter, they can occur in summer too. Also called as Cheilitis, chapped lips are characterized by sore, reddish and cracked lips that can be extremely painful to the touch.
In most cases, chapped lips are caused by lack of moisture which is very common in winters. In certain cases, the condition can also be caused by factors like heat, dry air, certain allergies and frequent wetting of the lips.
Chapped lips can be easily treated at home with the help of these cures. Note that if the lips fail to heal even after following these remedies, you may need to check with a doctor about the same.
Tip 1: Apply a Lip Balm regularly
Lack of moisture is the main cause for chapped lips. Applying a lip balm on the lips can keep them hydrated for longer intervals and prevent them from chapping in addition to offering relief from the pain and discomfort experienced due to existing cracks.
Use a good quality lip balm, preferably one with SPF. You can also dab some petroleum jelly on the lips at regular intervals throughout the day, including at night before you go to bed.
Tip 2: Stop Licking your Lips
Some people tend to lick their lips at frequent intervals thinking that it would keep their lips hydrated. On the contrary, the practice would cause the lips to dry up quicker, thereby causing them to peel and crack. So avoid doing this and dab some butter or ghee on your lips instead. Keep reapplying the butter/ghee at regular intervals to keep the lips hydrated and crack free.
Tip 3: Apply Honey on your Lips
Honey has potent antibacterial properties that can drive out bacteria or other harmful organisms that may be the reason behind your chapped lips. Honey can also smoothen the lips and provide relief from the symptoms of chapped lips.
Tip 4: Drink plenty of Water and Fluids
Keeping the body hydrated internally can also prevent conditions like chapped lips. So make it a point to drink plenty of water at regular intervals throughout the day to keep your body hydrated and your lips crack free.Substitute water with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetable juices as well. This would definitely help treat chapped lips and prevent recurrences.
Tip 5: Breathe through your nose
Breathing through your mouth can cause your lips to dry up and cause Cheilitis. So if you have a nasal blockage, clear it out instantly rather than breathing through your mouth until the blockage clears naturally.
Tip 6: Exfoliate your Lips regularly
Naturally dry and flaky lips are more prone to chapping. In order to avoid this, opt for exfoliate your lips at the most once every week. This would effectively remove any dead skin cells that can accumulate on the surface of the lips and cause chapping.
Opt for homemade scrubs (an excellent option would be a mixture of honey, sugar and olive oil) that would be gentle on the skin. Using a toothbrush, gently apply the scrub on the lips and brush the lips in circular motions for 10-15 minutes.
Wash your lips with warm water afterwards and apply a lip balm to retain the moisture. This way, you can easily treat chapped lips and prevent them from occurring in the future as well.