Chapped Lips |
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Chapped or dry lips are commonly observed
throughout the winter and the summer
but they can occur throughout the entire
year. Chapped lips are unsightly and
uncomfortable, and they can cause activities
such as talking, eating, drinking, and
even smiling to be excruciatingly painful.
Causes and Risk Factors
Chapping or drying
of lips is essentially caused by dehydration
or by the loss of moisture from the
outer layer of the lips. The skin of
the lips is very delicate and thin,
which causes it to be easily susceptible
to chapping. Additionally, it does not
possess oil glands that could prevent
the moisture from evaporating. Because
of this, the lips lose their suppleness
and become dry and cracked.
Here
are a few common causes of chapped lips:
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Seasonal
factors, such was wind, sun, or
dry weather. |
|
Habitual licking
of the lips. |
|
Lip biting and
sucking. |
|
Conditions, such
as allergic rhinitis, that force
an individual to breath through
the mouth. |
|
Vitamin deficiencies,
particularly vitamins A, B, and
C. |
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Contact dermatitis
caused by allergic reaction to topical
lip products, mouthwashes, or toothpastes. |
|
Ill-fitting dentures. |
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Smoking. |
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Dehydration. |
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Skin disorders
such as eczema. |
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