If you can't stop holding on to lip balm, the problem may be bigger than you think. Dry lips is one of the symptoms of vitamin deficiency. It's also an early warning sign of serious health problems.
Dry lips are usually caused by the environment. The first cold wave of winter often leads to chapped lips. So does a sunny day at the beach. Dry conditions or excessive licking can also damage them. If your environment or behavior hasn't changed, it's time to dig deeper.
The BS.
Your mouth may tell you something. If you do not apply the right food, the result can be chapped lips. There are eight water-soluble B vitamins. One study examined combinations such as B9 and B12 or B3, B5, B6 and B10. Certain formulations have been shown to improve healing and speed up skin cell production.
Our lips are often the first victims of a vitamin B deficiency. If you notice cracks in the corners of the mouth when you smile, it could be due to a deficiency of B. People with Crohn's disease or some gluten sensitivity experience chapped lips due to nutritional deficiencies. Of course, vitamin deficiencies can occur even if you do not have a medical disorder.
Vegetarians and vegans often lack B-12, which is found in meat. Riboflavin (or B2) is vital for healthy skin, hair, nails, and lips. If you have sores in your mouth, it could be due to a deficiency. Riboflavin can be found in dairy products, eggs, and green leafy vegetables. It is also found in nuts and beans. Adults need 1.7 milligrams of riboflavin. A multivitamin that delivers 100 percent or more of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for all B vitamins is the simplest solution.
iron
Just as people who do not often eat meat suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency, they also have problems with iron. Although there is iron in vegetables such as spinach and broccoli, the problem is that the phytates in them prevent iron absorption. Polyphenols in vegetables, fruits, legumes, tea, coffee, and wine also inhibit iron absorption. Since women can lose iron due to excessive blood loss during menstruation, those who do not eat meat are more likely to develop serious or life-threatening iron deficiency. Your lips may be an early warning sign. Your health care provider may recommend iron supplements.
zinc
Zinc is one of the most important mineral supplements you can take, it does much more than just help keep your lips kissable. It is essential for a healthy immune system. It can be found in everything from meat and fish to legumes. Although deficiencies are rare, taking zinc supplements can prevent respiratory infections. It is safe at doses of up to 40 mg of elemental zinc but excessive intake will interfere with the body's ability to absorb copper. This can actually increase the risk of infection.
Much
As with zinc, it's possible to get too much of a good thing. Taking too much vitamin A can lead to dry lips. Because vitamin A is found in retinoids from animals and carotenoids from plants, most people get enough in their diet. Everything from green leafy vegetables to beef and eggs contains vitamin A. 3000 mcg is the upper limit of the daily vitamin. Supplements can easily push you beyond this - and excessive vitamin A can be fatal.
Besides vitamins, some medications can make your lips dry, for example, the high blood pressure medication Inderal. Skin care products that contain retinoids may also be responsible for chapped lips. Toothpaste, lipstick, or the lip balm itself may be responsible. Avoid lipsticks that contain propyl gallate and toothpaste that contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Lip balms that contain parabens, phthalates, or plumping ingredients like phenol and carmol can damage your lips like menthol.
Drinking enough water to prevent dehydration is vital to overall health. If you live in a very dry environment, a humidifier in your room can help. Keep in mind that dry lips can be an early warning sign of serious illnesses. If you've taken every step and you're still having the problem, it's time to call your doctor. The thyroid gland, the body's primary metabolic regulator, can cause a host of problems when it doesn't function properly. Hypothyroidism often reveals itself with problems in the mouth or lips. Caring for your lips is more than just vanity. Healthy humans usually have healthy lips.
