|
While
we dwell on the condition of the skin on our face and
body, buying a plethora of beauty products to help keep it supple and
smooth,
we also have a tendency to neglect certain areas of our exterior such
as our
lips and neck in our daily skin care regime. The lips, for example, are an extremely delicate
part of our body
which is so sensitive that it
does not take much neglect for them to shows aging and wear. Vertical
lines can
appear overnight and a dull texture around the lips and lip area are
sure signs
that your lips are not receiving the proper amount of care. As you age
further,
your lips become even more sensitive, becoming prone to dryness,
cracking,
chapping, and flaking which can become painful when talking and eating.
There are several
different factors that can cause lips
problems such as dryness, cracking, chapping, peeling, irritation.
These
factors include seasonal changes, changes in climate and weather, using
the
wrong type of lipstick or liner, improper moisturizing, food allergies,
poor
circulation and environmental pollution.
How to care for your lips
A moisturizing lip balm
can help repair your delicate lips
especially during the cold dry season. If you prefer to use lipstick,
try to
use one that is moisturizing along with a thin layer of lip balm with a
UV
protection formula. There are many types of lip balms out there and
choosing
the right one is dependent upon the condition of your lips. There are
cream
types of balm that can be used for severe cases, moisturizing gels that
can be
used daily, convenient 2-in-1 lipstick and balms are also available as
are easy
to carry balm sticks that fit nicely in your purse. If you happen to
run out of
your favorite balm, a natural based face moisturizer can be used in a
pinch,
just apply a thin layer gently over your lips. You can also break open
a
Vitamin E gel capsule and massage onto your lips, leaving it on
overnight to
seep into your lips.
Natural based lips balms
usually contain gentle and mild
ingredient such as beeswax, rosemary and essential oils and are
suitable for
all lips types and ages including children with chapped and flaky lips.
However, for very young children and babies, petroleum jelly is better
suited
to help soothe and repair their little lips.
A simple solution can be
utilized to slow down lips aging,
softening them and visibly reducing the appearance of vertical lip
lines and
dehydration. You may apply this DIY lip treatment at the same time you
are
applying your DIY facial and eye treatment.
Cleansing, exfoliating, repairing and
moisturizing your lips once a week
will help delay aging and leave your
lips looking
great.
|
Do not worry; you are not
alone in your quest to cure your
chapped lips. Millions
of people suffer
from chapped lips every day, and all of them are looking for ways to
curb the
condition. Everyone gets them once and a while and there are a number
of good
home remedies that can help.
Chapped
lip home remedies:
- Avoid
licking those lips: Saliva evaporates quickly
resulting in even drier lips
- Take
your Vitamins: The lack of vitamins such as B1, B12 and iron can lead
to
chapped lips.
- Apply
a layer of coconut/olive oil or shea butter to your lips to protect them
- Moisturizing
lipstick can also help retain
moisture
within the lips
- If you
do not have any moisturizing lipstick, you can also use a protective
lip balm
for temporary relief.
The above suggestions can
help alleviate most chapped lips
which are caused by a lack of moisture or a vitamin deficiency.
However, you
might also be suffering from a more severe condition called angular
cheilitis
which involves a bacterial or fungal infection along with deep cracking
at the
corners of the mouth. This condition is also known as cheilosis,angular
stomatitis, or perleche. It also commonly
misspelled as angular chelitis. Whatever
is called or how it is spelled,
angular cheilitis can be
extremely painful and can even lead to bleeding every time you open
your mouth.
If a dermatologist
confirms that you are suffering from a
bacterial or fungal infection, they will most likely prescribe a
topical cream
with antifungal and
antibacterial
properties along with steroids to helps fight off the infection. For
example,
if candida is detected in your mouth a 1% hydrocortisone topical cream
might be
prescribed.
Dentures that are not
properly cleaned or ill-fitting can
also be the cause of angular cheilitis. Soaking your non-metal denture
overnight in a solution made up of 1 part bleach and 10 parts water is
a good
way to prevent this.
Several sites online are
also dedicated to bringing about
relief from angular cheilitis. One even prescribes a treatment method
involving
common household items that isolates and kills off the candida.
In conclusion, chapped
lips can be caused by a number of
different things, but the good news is that even the most serious cases
of
perleche can be remedied from home using inexpensive products thatare
readily
available.
|
Those cracks that form at
the corners of your mouth can be
caused by several different things, and a dermatologist recommendation
for
treatment depends upon the severity and the cause of the problem.
Angular
Cheilitis (as it is called) can be the result of a yeast infection
(candida)
that forms around the outside corners of the mouth. It can also occur
because
of a bacterial infection such staph, however, bacterial infections
usually
present themselves after the cracks have shown up.
Vitamin deficiency is also thought to play a
role in these cracked mouth corners and ill fitting dentures or just
having
chapped lips could also be the reason.
The best thing that you
can do if you are experiencing this
persisting cracking of the mouth corners is to pay a visit to the
dermatologist, so that the cause can be determined and a treatment plan
can be
laid out for you.
Here are some common
treatments that a dermatologists might
recommend for you if you do happen to suffer from Angular Cheilitis.
In
case of a yeast infection
If a yeast infection is
found to be the main culprit, then
the dermatologist will most likely prescribe a topical antifungal along
with a
steroid medication. The antifungal will work against the fungus whereas
the
steroid will help
relieve the swelling,
itching and redness. Mycolog II, which is a combination
of the antifungal: nystatin and the steroid:
triamcinolone acetonide, is popular treatment. Mycostatin is another
version of
this cream that might be prescribed. The only catch with applying these
creams,
is that they are going to in very close proximity to your mouth making
contact
with your food a real possibility. Also, the steroids may present some
bad side
effects and will probably not just affect the area it is applied but
the whole body.
lll
fitting dentures
Be sure to soak dentures
in an antiseptic solution every
night to prevent them from harboring bacteria. Also be sure to go to a
dentist
to have them refitted, if your dentures do not seem to fit properly.
Chapped
Lips
Children will often get
angular cheilits because they lick
their lips too much, and the best way to prevent this is to try to
encourage
them not to lick. A protective lip balm or a layer of Vaseline can also
help
keep the lips from chapping or splitting.
Bacterial
Infection
If the cracked corners
end up becoming infected with
bacteria such as staph, then antibiotic medication in the form of a
topical
cream or gel is needed. Miconazole gel, which is also a anti-fungal, is
a good
example of this type of treatment.
Vitamin
Deficiency and low immunity
People who have
compromised immune system (such in the case
of HIV or AIDS) might suffer from persistent blisters and sores forming
at the
corners of their mouth. Boosting the body’s immune system with vitamin supplement might
help this.
A
simple cure:
Covering the area with a
thick layer of petroleum jelly or
a unperfumed lip balm is a good way to
keep angular cheilitis under control. This will protect the skin and
give it
time to heal. Practicing good hygiene and eating a sensible diet will
also
help.
|
The Angular Cheilitis
Natural Solution
The treatment
instructions
work
by isolating fungal bacteria and starving them of the required elements
it
uses to survive and thrive. This is obvious, as you watch after
performing the treatment how quickly the infection subsides and the
symptoms resolve themselves.
Fungal
bacteria cannot live without moisture and that is what this treatment
does. It suspends the microbes in a waterless environment on the lips.
It is amazing and such a relief to see the lesions dry up and heal so
quickly!
What would it mean to you, if you could finally be rid of this
insidious affliction permanently. Quality of life matters and
living life without this type of drain on your feelings of well being
and indeed on your very immune system matters.
|
Chapped
Lips: A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, And Annotated Research Guide
To Internet References
|