Chapped lips can be uncomfortable. They can lead to symptoms such as dryness, flaking, sores, swelling, cracks, and even bleeding. If you have chapped lips often, even in the summer, you may be wondering why. After all, chapped lips are often associated with winter weather when the air is dry.
While colder seasons and chapped lips do go hand in hand, dry lips are also common in the summer. Here’s why: In the summer months, our lips can become dry due to excessive sun exposure. Just like the rest of our body, they can burn and blister and require protection from the harmful UV rays.
There are other reasons you may experience chapped lips in the summer. You may be dehydrated and cause your body to pull water from other parts to hydrate the cells. This may result in dryness to the skin and lips. Excessive saliva can also lead to dry lips in the summer. If you have stomach issues and low acid levels, you may wake up in the mornings with dry, cracked lips.
Ways to Prevent Chapped Lips in the Summer
Fortunately, there are a variety of ways you can be proactive and prevent chapped lips in the summer. First and foremost, keep a water bottle by your side and hydrate as much as possible. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, spruce it up with your favorite fruits and veggies.
Also, do your best to limit your time in the sun. If you do have to be outside for extended periods of time, stay in the shade. You should also wear a hat and apply plenty of sunscreen to your lips. If you have excessive saliva, consult your doctor to determine the root cause.
How to Treat Chapped Lips in the Summer
Invest in a hydrating lip balm and apply it on a regular basis. If you notice a product is burning or stinging your lips, use another one because it’s probably irritating your lips. Try to look for a balm that’s made of gentle yet effective ingredients like castor seed oil, petrolatum, shea butter, mineral oil, and white petroleum jelly.
Also, if your balm does not have an SPF of at least 30, apply sunscreen to your lips before you go outside, even if it seems cloudy. In addition, don’t lick, bite, or pick at your lips. While this may be tough to resist, doing so can worsen the issue and cause your lips to become drier. Sarasota, Florida dermatologist Dr. Amy Ross knows the pain of dry lips and encourages patients to always use lip balm with sunblock when going outside for activities.
In addition, you may want to buy a humidifier. If you breathe through your mouth at night, it’s a good idea to keep it in your bedroom. Visit your doctor if your dry lips don’t heal within two to three weeks as they may be a sign of an underlying issue.
Contact River Run Dental Spa
If you have any questions about chapped lips in the summer or would like to schedule an appointment to meet with one of our experienced dentists, we encourage you to contact us today at (804) 419-4211 We look forward to hearing from you! Our new Midlothian, VA dentist’s office is open for your convenience.