This MedLibrary.org supplementary page on Chapped lips is provided directly from the open source Wikipedia as a service to our readers. Please see the note below on authorship of this content, as well as the Wikipedia usage guidelines. To search for other content from our encyclopedia supplement, please use the form below:
Related Sponsors
 |
This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. WikiProject Medicine or the Medicine Portal may be able to help recruit one. If a more appropriate WikiProject or portal exists, please adjust this template accordingly. (August 2008) |
| Chapped lips Classification and external resources |
|
 |
|
|---|---|
| Chapped lips | |
| ICD-9 | 709.8 |
Chapped lips is a condition whereby the lips become dry and possibly cracked. It may be caused by the evaporation of moisture.
Contents |
Treatments
Lip balm or petroleum jelly can often provide temporary relief. Medical grade lanolin USP accelerates repair of lips1 and is used in some lip repair products. Certain enzymes present in saliva (normally used for digestion) irritate the lips, and the evaporation of the water in saliva saps moisture from them. 2 For these reasons, licking your lips is something that should be avoided when they are chapped.
Home remedies
Honey has antibacterial properties which can help heal and soothe chapped lips.3Nasal sebum may also be used as a remedy.4 Acidic drinks such as orange juice should be avoided because of their acid which irritates chapped lips. 5 Coconut oil or butter is also an effective remedy that has been used in ancient India for many centuries 67.
See also
- Angular cheilitis — a more severe condition involving an infection and deep cracking around the mouth.
References
- ^ "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology", Volume 56 , Issue 2 , Pages AB94 - AB94
- ^ http://www.dermadoctor.com/article_Chapped-Lips_185.html
- ^ "Parrsskincare http://www.parrsskincare.com/manuka-honey-skincare.cfm
- ^ Tkac, Deborah (1990). The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies: Thousands of Tips and Techniques Anyone Can Use to Heal Everyday Health Problems (Hardcover). Rodale, 134. ISBN 0878578730.
- ^ Tkac, Deborah (1990). The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies: Thousands of Tips and Techniques Anyone Can Use to Heal Everyday Health Problems (Hardcover). Rodale, 134. ISBN 0878578730.
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
 |
This medical sign article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 22 November 2008, at 03:27.
Wikipedia Authorship and Review
Wikipedia content provided here is not reviewed directly by MedLibrary.org. Wikipedia content is authored by an open community of volunteers and is not produced by or in any way affiliated with MedLibrary.org.
Wikipedia Usage Guidelines
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article on "Chapped lips".
The URL for this specific entry is:
All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details). Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.