There’s nothing enjoyable about having dry lips. Particularly when not a single lip balm appears to repair the problem. In the event you’ve received chronically dry lips, Caren Campbell, MD, a California-based board-certified dermatologist, says you could be affected by lip licker’s dermatitis.
“When our lips are dry, we are likely to lick our lips, which creates a vicious cycle,” says Dr. Campbell. “Once we lick our lips that moisture evaporates, additional contributing to the dryness and irritation of the lips. Then we hold licking and on and on.” She says lip licker’s dermatitis is the medical terminology for what is usually taking place with dry lips.
Lip-lickers dermatitis possible will get worse because the temperatures drop. “Dry lips occur similar to dry pores and skin because of the lack of humidity within the air because of the season change and use of heaters that additional dry out the air,” she says. “Once we lick our lips it makes issues worse.”
One of the best ways to interrupt this cycle is to keep away from licking your lips. Simpler stated than accomplished, proper? Dr. Campbell says one of the best ways to keep away from the continued evaporation of water from lip-licking is to maintain a barrier ointment in your lips. Barrier ointments hold moisture in and hold dry air out.
“Particularly with the rise in anxiousness and lack of distractions, [lip-licking] can turn into a vicious cycle,” says Dr. Campbell. “So greatest to simply reapply the vaseline or ointment each time you lick. As issues turn into much less dry you’re much less prone to lick once more and may break the cycle.”
When purchasing for a barrier ointment, Dr. Campbell says to search for one thing that’s freed from propolis, a typical contact allergen that’s generally present in merchandise made with beeswax. She additionally says to keep away from merchandise with cinnamon and mint, which may additionally set off an allergic response.
“Contact allergy presents as itching, burning, pink and scaly lips that may look like continued dry lips, however really be from the factor you had been hoping would assist,” says Dr. Campbell.
Store three of Dr. Campbell’s favourite barrier ointments to heal lips experiencing lip-lickers dermatitis under.
3 merchandise to assist lips heal from lip licker’s dermatitis
1. Vaseline Lip Remedy Superior Components, $6
“[Vaseline] comprises petrolatum which is a barrier that locks moisture in and retains the skin surroundings out,” says Dr. Campbell. Vaseline is named the “Swiss Military Knife” of magnificence merchandise as a result of it has so many alternative makes use of. It could actually assist with all the things from soothing chapped lips to defending your eyebrow tint.
Store now: Vaseline Lip Remedy Superior Components, $6
2. CeraVe Therapeutic Ointment, $8
Petroleum and dimethicone function moisturizing obstacles on this ointment. “Ceramides in CeraVe Therapeutic Ointment additionally restore the pores and skin’s personal barrier as they’re the lipids in our pores and skin that function the traditional barrier,” says Dr. Campbell. “Lastly, hyaluronic acid within the therapeutic ointment is without doubt one of the most moisturizing elements that may be utilized to the pores and skin.”
Store now: CeraVe Therapeutic Ointment, $8
3. Dr. Dan’s Cortibalm, $8
Store now: Dr. Dan’s Cortibalm, $8
“One other product that’s nice for actually chapped lips is Dr. Dan’s Cortibalm, which comprises hydrocortisone which might help calm the irritation from severely chapped lips,” says Dr. Campbell.
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Consultants Referenced
Caren Campbell, MD
board-certified dermatologist
