does anyone else have this? could it be from medicine? i really havent spent much time outside at all .. also, it seems to have really picked up since starting a whole array of new medicine.. im on omnicef, rifampin, mepron, zithromax, and diflucan
Posted by HopefulinNY (Member # 15425) on :
I have just started to get more extreme cracking of the lips (bleeding) too. They're always chapped - even in the summer, and I drink lots of water. I assume the dryness of winter makes it worse in my part of the world.
Posted by Barby (Member # 18348) on :
I am making mine bleed as we speak. But it seems like I have always had chappy lips. Don't know why. But Nivea helps as long as I can stop biting them off!
Posted by webmeg (Member # 13647) on :
Not sure what you are taking, but I got this from Plaquenil.
Triple ointment helps.
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
Lack of Vitamin B6 causes cracked lips.
Carol
Posted by gemofnj (Member # 15551) on :
Blistex is really good too. Apply frequently.
Keep lips moisurized as much as possible to protect. Use an SPF too!
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
I always have this as well.
If I don't wear chapstick while I sleep at night, I'll wake up with horribly chapped lips.
So I've gotten into the habit to always wear chapstick while I sleep. Sometimes that doesn't always help and I'll still have chapped lips during the day though.
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
Be sure to chceck the ingredients on any lip products you use for chapped lips. Many contain alcohol, which can be drying on it's own, setting into motion a perpetual cycle.
Posted by paulieinct (Member # 17514) on :
Did you know many people have a "chapstick addiction"? I was addicted for about 20 years. Once you start using it, you must carry it around with you 24/7, 12 mos. a year. I believe it is the alcohol in the chapstick. Alcohol evaporates and is the drying agent that tells your lips they need more chapstick. Better to use plain ole vaseline. Once or twice a day and you're good to go.
Do a search for "chapstick addiction" and you will find some interesting stuff.
Posted by AnnaL (Member # 18464) on :
RE: chapstick addiction
Totally true. I started using Medicated Blistex one winter, and I had to keep using it or else I was soooo miserable. Then the corners of my mouth started to crack and bleed...turns out the Medicated Blistex was the source of the new problem.
I started using just plain ol' oil (like canola oil or some such thing), and the problem disappeared! Darn Blistex!
Now I stick with a shea butter-based lip balm, or just go straight to my jar of shea butter. I've heard that vegetable-based oils absorb better than mineral oils (baby oil, vaseline) or animal fat (lanolin), but I'm not sure how true that is. I just know that I like the lip balm I've found. (It's made by a local Seattle company.)
Also, since going on abx, I've had to stop wearing lipstick because it was just too drying. Now if I want a touch of color, I use a vegetable-oil based lip gloss (I think it has shea butter and coconut oil).
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
Don't use plain Vaseline though.....I was addicted to THAT on my lips, and I have a family member who is addicted to using it on his hands, and now they crack.
I started using Burt's Beeswax Carrot Day Creme (it is supposed to be a face lotion) on my lips and lip area every night, and now I'm not addicted to the Vaseline anymore.
I think the addictions can happen to anything, because I was also addicted to the plain Burt's Bees chapstick at one point too. Not sure what is in that.
But for some reason this face lotion stuff seemed to get rid of my Vaseline addiction without creating a new addiction...for now.
I will never give my kids chapstick as a gift someday, because my father used to always buy me special chapsticks as a kid and i think that's how I got addicted.......haha.
But I think for us too maybe it stems from chronic dehydration? I try to get tons of electrolytes in (powdered ones that I mix in water). Or I use sea salt as an electrolyte.
Posted by Radha (Member # 8464) on :
i have very painful cuts or slits in the middle of my lower lips for months, have tried everything, but they are not healing and are so so painful, they just start bleeding at any time, i wish i knew what would heal them! i know its not dry skin Radha
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Drink LOTS of water!!!
I use Blistex too. It's really good. and then there's Carmex .. a little more gooey...but works great!
PS... Blistex is WAY better than Chapstick, IMO.
Posted by mandy614 (Member # 16524) on :
Lemon water causes my lips to crack. Lots of plain water helps.
I use shea butter on them. Also, exfoliate with toothbrush or washcloth.
Posted by lymeric (Member # 16465) on :
Try Dr. Hauschka Lip Care Stick for serious cracked lips. It's "non-addictive" and works well for many people who can't seem to find the right product. It's also organic. (PS. Don't in cold weather!) Dr. Hauschka Lip Care Stick
[ 16. December 2008, 10:54 PM: Message edited by: lymeric ]
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
BTW, addictions cause withdrawal.
Posted by stymielymie (Member # 10044) on :
b-6 and b-12 are the main reasons for severe cracked lips especially at corners of mouth. sublingual works best. may also want to try acyclovir cream, RX. may be viral in nature if on long term abx.
![[lick]](graemlins/facelick.gif)
in cold weather!) Dr. Hauschka Lip Care Stick