Trinket
01-27-2002, 06:15 AM
For the past 6 months, I have been having a problem with my lips. They are always really chapped and the corners are really raw and red. A few times, they feel like they are burning up and they look raw and red everywhere when that happens. One time I had to go to Urgent Care because they hurt so bad and all the doctor did was give me Chortison and told me to take a Vitamin B6 pill so I do that but I still have the raw corners. I have no idea what could be wrong, I always wear chapstick. What could be my problem here?
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squirkie
01-27-2002, 02:44 PM
What kind of chapstick do you use? I have the same problem sometimes. The only time I do have that problem is in the winter when the air is dryer. I have found that certain types of chapstick just don't do anything to help. Find one that soaks into the skin, rather than just coats it. I use Vaseline medicated lip balm, in the tube, not the stick. It works very well. Also ChapStick Lip Moisture works very well for me to. The key is to apply as many times as you need to until the rawness goes away and then keep up with using it every day to prevent chapping and rawness in the future. AND the number one thing to remember is DON'T lick your lips, or the corners. It just makes it worse!
Jay Tor
01-27-2002, 02:48 PM
The problem may be the chapstick. Check the ingredients. If camphor is listed as an ingredient, stop using the product immediately. Camphor dries out tissue and if ingested, is toxic. Most camphors are synthetic and are made from turpentine. All mucous membranes [lips, mouth, nasal passages, etc.]have the ability to absorb substances, which means the substance goes directly into the blood stream.
Read what the American Association of Pediatricians has to say about camphor.
http://www.aap.org/policy/00300.html
To let your lips heal - keep them clean [no make up or lipstick], try not to lick your lips [this can actually cause even more dehydration] and avoid salty and acidic foods/beverages near your lips. To moisten your lips, you can try a light coating of olive oil or Vitamin E. Avoid mineral oils as these leach nutrients out of your body. Don't know if a topical, over-the-counter vaseline-based antibiotic such as Polysporin would be safe - ask your pharmacist.
Good luck,
Jay
Read what the American Association of Pediatricians has to say about camphor.
http://www.aap.org/policy/00300.html
To let your lips heal - keep them clean [no make up or lipstick], try not to lick your lips [this can actually cause even more dehydration] and avoid salty and acidic foods/beverages near your lips. To moisten your lips, you can try a light coating of olive oil or Vitamin E. Avoid mineral oils as these leach nutrients out of your body. Don't know if a topical, over-the-counter vaseline-based antibiotic such as Polysporin would be safe - ask your pharmacist.
Good luck,
Jay
Trinket
01-27-2002, 06:00 PM
Thanks for your replies! I do notice that when I wear lipstick the night before it seems worse the next day. I have braces so I was thinking maybe it was the dentist visits that act it up even more because he has those gloves on and plus he makes me open my mouth wide. Especially when I have a cleaning because the ingredients in the cleaning paste really really burns my lips! I can't eat anything salty either. I always brush away the access skin and keep my lips very clean. I suppose it is real dry in here. Sometimes I catch myself biting my upper lip. I have tried to stop that. I usually just use vaseline in the jar. Is that ok? Does it have that weird ingredient in it that I shouldnt use? What products have that ingredient so I can avoid it?