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.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022