Teen health tips: Chapped lips

January 3, 6:10 PMBaltimore Parenting Teens ExaminerNicole Williams

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The winter months in particular can do damage to your lips. It’s a condition that we’ve all had from time to time. Not only can dry lips be uncomfortable and sometime even painful, but they’re also embarrassing. So what causes chapped lips anyway and how can you treat or prevent chapped lips? Here are some helpful tips.

• Exposure to the sun, cold, wind, or dry air
• Licking your lips
• Breathing with your mouth open
• Dehydration
• Allergens in cosmetics
• Vitamin deficiencies

• Use a lip balm or lip cream with petroleum, bees wax, or vitamin E. This will help heal soothe already cracked or dry lips. I twill also help protect you from getting chapped lips by sealing the moisture in.
• When going outside, use a lip cream or lip balm with a sunscreen in it. If it’s cold outside, use a scarf to cover your lips. These tasks will minimize your lips’ exposure to the elements.
• Avoid licking your lips. If this is an issue for you, then you will not only want to make a conscious effort to stop, but also stay away from flavored lip balm as it may entice you to lick your lips.
• Drink plenty of fluids, If you keep yourself hydrated, the moisture in your lips will be able to replenish itself more easily.
• Use a humidifier in your home, especially during the winter. Most heat sources can produce dry air. By putting some moisture back in your home, you will also keep your lips hydrated.
• If you currently have dry lips, avoid salty and spicy foods. If you’ve ever eaten salty or spicy foods with chapped lips, you’d know why I say this. It can be very painful. It can also be an extra irritant on your lips and can delay the healing process.
• If you try all of these tips and you still have a chronic problem with chapped lips, consult your doctor. You may have a vitamin deficiency. This is best to be determined and examined by a medical professional.
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If you have any ideas for any health issues that you would like to see in this column, please email Nicole Williams at newzbiz@live.com. If you would like credit for the idea, please state your name. Thank you.