Hydrating Chapped Lips...

...May be Hazardous to your  Health

 The face of a person is the determinant of his/her general beauty. Cracked lips greatly affect this beauty. 

This   article  from DAYALIZE   is offered  as  HEALTH   AWARENESS  to  one  and  all  to safeguard those  kissable lips. 

Because the skin on your lips is thinner and more delicate than other areas of your body, it's more vulnerable to the elements. Both the stratum corneum (the outermost layer) and the lipid layer (the thin film of oil that coats the stratum corneum) contain humectants, molecules that draw moisture from the air into the skin. In dry conditions, moisture evaporates more quickly, leaving you with dehydrated, dry lips. 

What is your body telling you when you have chapped lips?

 Deficiency Symptoms of Riboflavin

Riboflavin deficiency has profound effects on the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and protein. All three of these basic food elements require riboflavin if they are to be properly utilized by the body. A deficiency of riboflavin results in clinical symptoms such as changes in lips, tongue, corners of the lips and eyes. The early symptoms include photophobia, burning and itching of the eyes, soreness and burning of lips, mouth and tongue. The lips become dry and chaffed, a condition called cheilosis vitamin deficiency; the tongue becomes red and shiny (glossitis) and develops fissures with yellowish color (fissured tongue). The angles at the corners of the mouth become ulcerated (angular stomatitis). Skin becomes scaly and greasy around the skin folds (seborrhoeic dermatitis). The conjunctiva becomes red and inflamed, and eyelids appear swollen and become sticky. They also become abnormally sensitive to light and get easily fatigued. Blurring of vision, itching, watering, and soreness of the eye may occur as well. Extra blood vessels develop in the cornea of the eye and it looks red and bloody (corneal vascularisation). The first signs and symptoms of deficiency are a sore throat and sores at the corners of the mouth. Worsening symptoms include a swollen tongue, seborrheic dermatitis, anemia and impaired nerve function. 

Itchy, puffy and dry lips  are awful. They are uncomfortable, aggravating, and make you look and feel like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

 Lack of Required Vitamins

Vitamins are very essential for general body health. In absence it could trigger some health issues that can cause a lot of negative reactions from the body. For instance, Vitamin B2 is responsible for metabolism, regulating amino acids levels in the blood and cell functions. Lack of this substance can cause drying and cracking of the lips.

Lack of Vitamin B3 could result in pellagra. It is characterized by dermatitis, diarrhea and mental health issues. Serious conditions like ulcerative colitis that inhibit the absorption of niacin are some other causes of pellagra. Pellagra alters the normal healthy condition of the lips, tongue and even the gums. It also makes the skin hard and vulnerable to cracking. Since the lips are also part of the skin, they also so crack and get chapped. Consider Vitamin B3 supplements to remedy the condition.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cassetteject/

Allergy

Our bodies react differently to different substances. For instance, some of the substances that can cause the allergic reactions are basic things like lip gloss. When you apply certain lip gloss, they cause itchy lips instead of moisturizing. Some foods could also be causing drying of your lips. Once you discover that something is causing your lips to dry, avoid using it. You should also see a doctor to establish the exact cause of the negative allergic reaction.

Could You Be Allergic to Kissing?

Though an 12-year-old will tell you that kissing gives you cooties, the smooch itself isn't the problem. Even after your face-smacking partner brushes his teeth, his saliva might still have traces of something he ate or a medicine he took earlier in the day. When you have a life-threatening allergy, get your sweetie to swear off the stuff, too. Or you can brush, rinse, and then avoid locking lips for 24 hours.

Inflammatory Disease

The common inflammatory disease that affects the lips is Angular Chelitis. It is characterized by inflammation at the corners of the lips, chapped lips and dribbling saliva. People with sensitive skin are more vulnerable to this disease. Untreated chapped lips are a major trigger to this infection. Therefore, when you experience chapped lips, try treating it with moisturizer at its early stages before it advances to something else. Licking chapped lips in the attempt of moisturizing it is as useless as over washing the skin. 

During the cold season, our lips suffer the most from the dry air and the permanent exposure to wind. No one likes to have chapped lips -- that is for certain. Given such problems, it should come as no surprise that there are hundreds of products available. They are meant to hydrate your lips and help them look fantastic, no matter the season.

The bad news is that they are also filled with chemical substances. According to the latest studies performed by specialists in the field, these products might not be as harmless as you might believe. In fact, they could actually poison you, leading to the appearance of both acute and chronic conditions. 

The first Chapstick was produced in the1880s and, back then, there weren't chemicals involved in the process. It was almost one hundred years later, when flavors were added to lip balms. What followed was the addition of sunblock factors, as the lip balm was meant to protect against the sun exposure. Soon, petroleum was added to lip balms, representing the beginning of an era where chemicals became the main ingredients of such products.

Today  whether you want to admit it or not, these products are filled with harmful chemicals, substances that we absorb through our skin. Petroleum might have been used since the 1980s for lip balms but, according to recent studies, it has a number of side-effects that are worrisome. When used for prolonged periods of time, it can have a negative impact on the central nervous system and also affect a person's immunity. The prolonged exposure to petroleum has been associated with the appearance of various forms of cancer in both adults and children. Apart from that, it seems that this substance can contribute to diverse neurological disorders. By weakening the immune system, it also causes a number of autoimmune disorders.

Carnauba wax is another ingredient that can be more harmful than you think. Even though it is obtained from palm leaves, it has been discovered that the topical application of products that contain this substance can cause a wide range of problems for the skin. Apart from dry skin and acne, those who have used lip balms containing carnauba wax have complained of rash around the mouth. Contact dermatitis, allergies and general irritation of the lip tissues are also possible.

Some of the substances that are added to lip balms can cause hormonal imbalances, as it the case of propylparaben. Unfortunately, the prolonged exposure has been associated with the appearance of breast cancer in women. When used by men, the lip balms that contain propylparaben have been shown to reduce the testosterone levels.

Petroleum-derived products, such as the coloring Red No. 6 Lake can be just as harmful. In fact, it has been proven that it can cause agitation and also modify the development of normal cells (high risk for children). As for Yellow No. 6, this substance has been associated with the appearance of cancerous lesions. It can also cause hyperactivity and allergic reactions. From what has been said so far, you have probably understood that the products you are using to keep your lips hydrated might cause more harm than good. Some oral prescriptions for acne, high blood pressure, and nausea can cause dry, chapped lips. If you discover that your lips are chapped and not as a result of lack of moisturizing, see a doctor/dermatologist. Might I also suggest a Naturopath. 

When used by men, the lip balms that contain propylparaben have been shown to reduce the testosterone levels. Petroleum-derived products, such as the coloring Red No. 6 Lake can be just as harmful. In fact, it has been proven that it can cause agitation and also modify the development of normal cells (high risk for children). As for Yellow No. 6, this substance has been associated with the appearance of cancerous lesions.  

It can also cause hyperactivity and allergic reactions. From what has been said so far, you have probably understood that the products you are using to keep your lips hydrated might cause more harm than good. Some oral prescriptions for acne, high blood pressure, and nausea can cause dry, chapped lips. If you discover that your lips are chapped and not as a result of lack of moisturizing, see a doctor/dermatologist. Might I also suggest a  naturopath.

As for Yellow No. 6, this substance has been associated with the appearance of cancerous lesions. It can also cause hyperactivity and allergic reactions. From what has been said so far, you have probably understood that the products you are using to keep your lips hydrated might cause more harm than good. Some oral prescriptions for acne, high blood pressure, and nausea can cause dry, chapped lips. If you discover that your lips are chapped and not as a result of lack of moisturizing, see a doctor/dermatologist. Might I also suggest a Naturopath. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/istolethetv/

When used by men, the lip balms that contain propylparaben have been shown to reduce the testosterone levels.

Petroleum-derived products, such as the coloring Red No. 6 Lake can be just as harmful. In fact, it has been proven that it can cause agitation and also modify the development of normal cells (high risk for children). As for Yellow No. 6, this substance has been associated with the appearance of cancerous lesions. It can also cause hyperactivity and allergic reactions.

From what has been said so far, you have probably understood that the products you are using to keep your lips hydrated might cause more harm than good. Some oral prescriptions for acne, high blood pressure, and nausea can cause dry, chapped lips. If you discover that your lips are chapped and not as a result of lack of moisturizing, see a doctor/dermatologist. Might I also suggest a Naturopath. 

Bottom line: Never letting your lips be "naked" can actually keep your lips in beautiful shape regardless of the weather.

This is my professional opinion. For more information about chapped lips consult your medical doctor.

 “DAYALIZE” for care and prevention.

To book a consultation contact me at [email protected] to schedule a time.

Consultations by phone, Skype or Whatsapp.

Ask about our online depression and sleep disorder tests.