Sore or dry lips
Sore or dry lips are common problems, especially during cold or hot weather. Some self-treatments might help you with them, but if you have infected lips, consult a doctor immediately.
Sore or dry lips self-treatments
- You can use lip balm that contains either beeswax or petroleum jelly. These are available at a pharmacy.
- Some might be sensitive to certain fragrances, dyes, or other cosmetic ingredients. So try other lip balms if one is not correctly working for you.
- Wash both your hands thoroughly before applying lip balm.
- Use lip balms that have SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or more every two hours when you are outdoors.
- Cover your lips when you are outside in cold or hot weather.
- Drink more water to prevent dehydration.
- Don’t bite or pick any flaky skin from your lips; it can lead to a slow healing process.
- Don’t keep licking sore, dry, or cracked lips.
- Don’t share your lip balms with others.
Sore or dry lips causes
Various factors can lead to sore or dry lips, but some main causes can include:
- Cold weather
- Dry air or wind
- Dehydration
- Lip injury
- Direct impact or damage from the sun
- Allergies
Sometimes, the condition is due to a lack of minerals and vitamins in the body. You might have a cold sore if you have a tiny, fluid blister on your lip. Mostly, people with cold sores have a burning, itching, or tingling feeling on their lips before the blister develops.
Consult a doctor
If your lips are:
- Hot
- Painful
- Swollen
These signs might indicate a lip infection.
For personalized advice and support tailored to your health needs, consider our free doctor consultation service, where you can connect with experienced professionals ready to assist you.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022