causes of chapped lips

Chapped lips are more than just a nuisance. They can be painful, unattractive and signal that there is a more serious problem. Although most people feel dry lips when the weather turns cold and windy, causing dehydration and makes then crack and peel, chapped lips chronic (which is called cheilitis) may arise for wide range of reasons. According DERMAdoctor.com, the list includes certain diets, conditions, products and health conditions.
Produce
If you have an allergy to one or more of the following items, this can cause or contribute to your severely dry or chapped lips. Propyl gallate, which is in the lip, or phenyl salicylate, which is found in products for lip care, are likely offenders. The toothpaste containing guaiazulen or sodium lauryl sulfate may also cause a reaction. The red dyes in mouthwash, toothpaste and sweets are common causes of sore on the lips. The same goes for the cinnamates, which are used in sweets, lozenges, chewing gum, mouthwashes and toothpastes. If you take the Inderal medication (blood pressure) or prochlorperazine (an antipsychotic that is often used to treat nausea and vertigo), you may be experiencing an allergic reaction that can make your lips from drying out or cracking. Finally, if you are allergic to nickel metal, you should avoid putting clips or near your mouth and wash your hands after using anything made of nickel.

Diet
Certain foods can also contribute to dry lips. Although considered healthy, they may be just the opposite for your lips. The figs or citrus juices can cause a phototoxic reaction. This means that the sun's rays react with the chemicals and create an allergic reaction. Cobalt supplements of vitamin B12 can also be the culprit. Too much vitamin A can also be the cause. If you consume more than 25,000 IU per day, it is likely that this is the problem.


Habits
If you play the clarinet or saxophone, you probably already be aware that constant contact with the reed can dry your lips. Licking your lips is extremely bad for those who are prone to chapped lips habit. "Chapped lips are psychological part," says Alan Rockoff, Ph.D., of the Dermatology Center of Rockoff in Brookline, Massachusetts, in medhelp.org. "Just think of lips makes you want to lick them."

Treatment
Try to be aware of not lick your lips. Use ChapStick or any other type of lip balm to keep them moist, do not use your saliva. To cure cheilitis, review the products you use and vitamins that you take. If you suspect that they may be to blame, stop using them for a while and see if your condition improves. Maybe if not, you might want to check with a doctor to rule out any health conditions that may be causing your dry lips.

Terms
If your dry, chapped lips are not going with treatment, see your doctor. You may be suffering from a more serious condition since there are many diseases that can cause drying and cracking of the lips as a side effect. These may be Down syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome and hyperthyroidism. Diabetics are usually prone to perleche (usually by a fungal infection). Granulomatous cheilitis can definitely cause problems on the lips, but you need a biopsy for diagnosis. Precancerous changes, known as actinic cheilitis can also cause dryness. Finally, sleep apnea and enlarged tonsils or adenoids can cause dry mouth as the current of breath on the lips causes dehydration.