Splitting lips are lips that are cracked, dry and chapped and they sometimes can even bleed. The lips are very sensitive and unlike the rest of the skin on the body, do not have any oil glands. Lack of moisture in the lips can cause splitting. Split lips are red and dry. They may also swell sometimes. If the splitting is very severe the lips may even bleed. Split lips are not a pretty sight. They can be quite an embarrassment and in many cases can also cause a lot of discomfort and pain. Excessive splitting can make it difficult to smile, talk, eat and drink. Fortunately, treatment for a split lip is easy to find.
What causes split lips?
Weather conditions, oral habits, infections, dehydration and health conditions are different reasons for split lips. Extreme weather such as dry winters, harsh sun and too much cold can cause cracked lips. Oral habits such as constant licking of lips, biting the lips and smoking can also cause dryness. Cigarettes remove whatever moisture is contained in the lips and can therefore dry the lips even further. If you are allergic to certain type of cosmetic products, then this may also make your lips split. If you are not drinking adequate fluids or enough water, your lips may crack. Dehydration in the body makes the lips split. Health conditions such as vitamin and mineral deficiencies, bacterial and fungal infections on the lips also make the lips sensitive and prone to splitting.
One of the ways in healing a split lip is by taking a Vitamin B supplement as a deficiency in this Vitamin can cause split lips. Use a good quality lip balm with a sun protection factor. Before using any kind of balm or chapstick, it is best to consult your dermatologist. He or she will determine what product is best suited for your lips. A simple home remedy to treat a split lip is petroleum jelly or clarified butter. This can be generously applied to the affected area to soothe and heal it. A soft bristled toothbrush can be lightly brushed on the dry lips to remove dead skin. However, do not do this if your lips are bleeding. Pure aloe vera gel can also quicken the healing process and so will cucumber slices. Take care to ensure that the split lips do not get infected.
If the corner of the lips split, it may be because you have angular cheilities. This is mainly caused by a fungal or bacterial infection. When saliva or moisture accumulates in this region, it acts as a perfect environment for the growth of bacteria and fungi giving rise to lips cracked in the corners. How to heal a split lip corner would therefore be another question. The best way is to keep this area as dry as possible. People mistakenly believe that moisturizing will help heal split lips in the corner of the mouth. However, it is not true. You should avoid lip balms, creams and lotions. Also avoid licking your lips. If the corner of the lips is cracked very severely, it is best to get it treated by your doctor. He will give you the right kind of medication and even an antiseptic and antibacterial topical ointment to heal it.
If you are not able to treat split lips at home and get help from your health care provider, it is likely that he may prescribe a steroid cream to treat the problem. However, if you suffer from recurrent drying and splitting even after applying this steroid cream, it is important to bring this to your doctor's notice immediately as you may be allergic to this treatment and he may have to change the course of treatment for your case.
How can you prevent your lips from splitting?
Learn to protect your lips. Use a good lip balm or cream containing petrolatum, beeswax and a nourishing oil. Ideally your lip protection stick should also have SPF. If you have to go out in extreme dry and cold weather make sure that you cover the mouth area with a scarf. If you lick your lips often, stop this habit immediately. When you lick your lips, the additional saliva on the lips dries up, adding to the dryness in the lips. Use a humidifier in your room to making your living or working environment very dry. Drink a lot of water. Keeping your body hydrated means half your problem is solved. As far as possible try and breathe through your nose. Be aware of what products you are allergic to so that you can keep away from them.
Eating the right diet is also important especially in the case of split lips. Avoid foods that add up the heat in the body such as spices, vinegar, ginger, fruits like apricots, cherries, peaches and guavas, meat like ham. Have these only in very little quantities.
answered by G M