Chapped lips

Here are some recommendations for preventing chapped lips:

  • Avoid excessive sun exposure
  • Avoid going out in dry, cold weather without putting on lip balm or lipstick
  • Try to keep the air in your home humid
  • Use a sunscreen on your lips when outside in sunny weather

Here are some recommendations for soothing chapped and sore lips:

  • Drink additional fluids in winter months
  • Treat chapped lips with beeswax and petrolatum (Vaseline)

See your health care provider if you have sores that won't heal on your lips.

Alternative Names

Lips - chapped and dry

References

Habif TP. Atopic dermatitis. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 5.

Habif TP. Warts, herpes simplex, and other viral infections. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 12.

Updated: 4/28/2012

Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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