Broken lips

[avoschmado]

I can't think of another way of describing the state of my lips. They've been chapped/cracked/split since November.

My handbag is awash with Vaseline, Nivea, blistex (stings like hell), some boots own antibacterial lip stuff that the pharmacist recommended but nothing helps. What else can I use? Just smiling or opening my mouth to wide when eating splits them again.

I know this is petty but it's really really sore.

i use swiss formula hand creme, its like thick vaseline, Lidl do their own brand, it works for my dry lips.

Do you drink enough and eat enough? Do you work in a very dry atmosphere? My dentist said chapped lips are a sign of dehydration.

If you'd tried all the usual remedies, maybe make a GP appointment. Good luck.

Agree with the above... if they don’t work and you’re well hydrated, consider a zinc or vitamin B12 deficiency. Might be worth a GP visit.

Could it be an allergy?

I get tingly lips that then get dry, cracked, rough skin for ages. I always thought it was a cold sore or similar. But I did some desperate googling after my latest bout and realised it's called eczemous cheilitis. I think it's caused by my dust allergy, as I'd always get it after cleaning the mankier corners of my house.

So I tried a very thin layer of 1% hydrocortisone cream, and it started healing within a day. My caveat here is that you ARE supposed to use hydrocortisone lip salve, which you get from your doctor. I used the over the counter stuff for eczema, which you're not supposed to put on your face. I was fine, but you should proceed with caution.

Hope you find something that works - it's completely rubbish!

You've not changed your toothpaste in that time have you? And you're reacting to the new one?

I find Elizabeth Arden 8hr cream good when my lops are horribly chapped.

It seems a waste of a GP's time, no? I'm not dehydrated I drink lots. I've taken a pic but it doesn't do the cracks justice.

Possibly not a total waste of time. Some forms of Cheilitis (google it - there are several different kinds) can be an early sign of cancer, so there is value in your GP having it on their radar. Obviously I don't say that because I want to worry you, but just so you know it's not always a cosmetic issue.

Chronic cracked lips can be a sign of certain medical conditions such as Sjogren's Syndrome. See your gp. Regardless of the cause, cracked lips are miserable, unsightly, and painful. You shouldn't suffer with this.

Have you had different toothpaste since your lips cracked? For some reason, certain toothpastes make my lips crack, while others don't!

I'd see your GP, that sounds like it's been going on a long time and you've tried hard to resolve it yourself

I use Dr Dan's cortibalm, you have to buy it, around £10 on Amazon but it works.

I agree with advice to see the gp.

However for quick relief buy some lansinoh - the type used for breastfeeding nipples. It's very mild and gentle, ok to put on lips (as baby gets it in their mouth!) And absolutely does the job. I took roacccutane for a couple of years, which dried my lips out so badly they bled multiple times a day (a common side effect) and the lansinoh was great. I decanted some into a little travel pot for my handbag

I had the same problem try aloe Vera lip balm from optima it's cheap and really natural, really sorted my lips out though I do have to keep up the use. I think I got it on e bay or amazon

Bepanthen baby cream. The active ingredient is dexpanthenol which is amazing stuff.

Thanks all. I've made an appt for Tuesday. I had a host of blood tests for another issue early December which were all normal so fingers crossed.

Dh has just gone to the pharmacy for me- again.

Just wanted to say that it’s definitely not a waste of time to see GP but see you’ve made an appointment - that’s good! I had this and turned out I was anaemic.

My son had cracked lips which wouldnt heal. Gp did blood tests so worth a visit.

Tried lots of things but it was lansanoh (?spelling) nipple cream that worked in the end! His dentist recommended it. Lots of lip treatments actually dry the lips out more.

Ah just saw another pp found lansinoh cream worked for them too.

Another vote for Lansinoh nipple cream. It does wonders.