Chapping/ Drying /Cracking of lips
What causes chapping/ drying of lips?

1. Drying of lips or cracking of lips can occur at any age and is attributed to many factors
   It may occur due to deficiency of vitamin B complex in the body.
2. The skin on lips is very thin and sensitive and prone to damage by uv rays also. Sometimes Sunlight is the culprit – a condition called ac-ti- ni-c chelitis.
3. In Winters, it is a commonly encountered problem as skin and lip mucosa get dry and chapped. So, most of times it can be seasonal.
4. Allergy due to use of cheap lipsticks in females can slo cause drying and cracking. In this case it will be associated with itching and redness also.
5. Sometimes an ingredient of a tooth paste can cause allergy and result in drying and cracking of lips.
6. Some children have a habit of licking the lips with tongue and get allergic to their own saliva which can cause irritation to the lips and hence result in drying and crackiog and presents a peri- oral skin reaction. The area around the lips may turn red and dark.
7. Whatever the cause, exact treatment can be given by a skin specialist. A home remedy can be simple use of lipguard with good sun protection factor.