CHAPPED LIPS

Our lips are so exposed to sun, wind and other irritants , yet they don't have oil glands to keep them soft and moist. Nor do they contain much melanin, the pigment in our skin that allow us to tan and offers some protection from the sun. No wonder lips can become as parched and cracked as old shoe leather. Please give your lips some protection.

Bring out the lip balm

-Several of natural based on beeswax are available from health food shops, pharmacies, gift shops and online. Always coat your lips with balm before you go out to keep the elements at bay.

-Some people swear by Cocoa Butter to relieve chapped lips (It also works on chapped hands). Apply four or five times a day, or more often if your lips are very dry.

-A handy home remedies olive oil or vegetable shortening, which can effectively soften and moisture chapped lips.

-Puncture vitamin E capsule and apply the oil to your lips.

-Petroleum jelly , such as Vaseline , is an old-fashioned and effective chapped lips remedy. 

- If your lips continue chapped, drink eight 250ml glasses of water a day-more if u can. While this won't prevent dryness, it will keep it from getting worst.

Take a good care of your lips. 

The power of prevention

-Apply a balm with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 before you go out into the sun. Lips need just as much sun protection as the rest of your skin. (Caution: stop using the balm if your lips turn red and itchy. Some people have an allergic reaction to lip balms that contain sunscreen).

-A dark, creamy lipstick helps to protect lips from the sun it will also keep moisture in.

-When indoor air is very dry, prevent chapped lips by running a humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep.

-Try eating more food that are rich in B vitamins, such as meat, fish, whole grains,nuts and leafy green vegetables. A lack of B vitamins contributes to chapped lips in some people.

-Avoid licking your lips. Your saliva will momentarily provide a coating of moisture, but it evaporates quickly, leaving lips drier than before.And the saliva contains digestive  enzymes that fry out tissue and result in chapping.

-Stay away from balms that that contain phenol and champor. These antiseptics can be very drying. Also, take note of any sensitivities to flavoring  and fragrance agents, which may trigger or worsen chapping. Its not unusual for chewing gum, sweets effect on lips.

- Dont give a child flavored lip balms. Children tend to lick the flavours varieties straight off their lips, which further aggravates the chapping.

Whats wrong? Your lips are dry, irritated and cracked. They may be sore or they may ithch. Dry lips can result from both dry and cold winter weather, sunburn, allergic reactions , having a raised temperature or simply licking your lips too often.

                                                                                     References: 1