- 01 WHY DO LIPS GET INFLAMED?
- 02 CAN INFLAMMATION OF THE LIP ALSO OCCUR INTERNALLY?
- 03 HOW LONG DOES A LIP INFECTION LAST?
- 04 HOW DO I PREVENT INFLAMED LIPS?
- 05 HOW DO I SOOTHE INFLAMED LIPS?
- 06 HOW SHOULD I CARE FOR MY LIPS EVERY DAY?
WHY DO LIPS GET INFLAMED?
Both too much wind and sun dry out the lips within a few hours. Because they struggle to store moisture and are only protected by a very thin callus, the skin tightens. As soon as you lick or gnaw lips which are in an irritated state, the discomfort intensifies. A painful inflammation can then sometimes develop.
In addition to weather influences, the following physical causes of inflamed lips are possible:
- Stress
- Fever
- Menstruation
- Labial herpes
- Vitamin and iron deficiency
- Diabetes
- Neurodermatitis
- Strong salivation
- Infections with bacteria and fungi
Inflamed corners of the mouth are often caused by wrinkles in the mouth region due to tooth loss - or a poorly fitted dental prosthesis. Since the skin also becomes increasingly slack with age, this problem mainly affects older people. An ointment with dexpanthenol, myrrh, chamomile, or sage extract can help soothe inflamed corners of the mouth. You can find appropriate creams and tinctures at the pharmacy.
CAN INFLAMMATION OF THE LIP ALSO OCCUR INTERNALLY?
Red inflamed lips, cracking, and dryness are external symptoms. Likewise, tiny round ulcers and yellow-white blisters with a reddish base may sprout on the inside of the lip. These are aphthae, one of the most common diseases of the oral mucosa. The term comes from the Greek and means "little sponge". In general, they are between one millimeter and three centimeters in size. Although such internal lip inflammations are considered harmless, they have a negative effect on general well-being - especially if they recur regularly.
The causes of aphthae have not yet been scientifically proven. It is possible that an immune response in the body plays a supporting role. There may also be the following reasons for inflamed lips inside the mouth:
- Iron, zinc, folic acid, and vitamin B12 deficiency
- Genetic predispositions
- Fluctuating hormone balance (e.g., during menstruation or menopause)
- Mental stress
- Poor oral hygiene
- Allergic reactions to foods or beverages (e.g., tomatoes, nuts, citrus fruits, and alcohol)
- Minor injuries in the mouth (e.g., due to toothbrushes or dentures that are too hard)
Germicidal mouthwashes and herbal tinctures formulated with myrrh, clove, and rhubarb root are recommended to relieve symptoms. You should also consistently avoid foods that could cause allergies.
HOW LONG DOES A LIP INFECTION LAST?
If the lips are inflamed, the symptoms usually disappear after a few days. Provided you follow Biotherm's skincare tips for lips, protect yourself well from the sun and wind, and eat a balanced, healthy diet!
If the skin changes on the lips continue after a week at the latest, it is advisable to see a doctor. In particular, if nodules and growths form on chapped, burning lips, or you experience difficulty speaking and eating, you should resolve the problem immediately and take medical action if necessary. In the worst-case scenario, untreated lips can lead to permanent damage to the tissue, making surgical intervention necessary.
Doctors are able to analyze your symptoms professionally and suggest a suitable treatment. In some cases, it is sufficient to change eating habits, take nutritional supplements, and integrate more exercise and sport into everyday life. However, since prolonged inflammation of the lips can also be caused by serious factors, it is essential to clarify the situation. If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor will probably prescribe you an antibiotic ointment. Such medications are applied locally until the infection subsides.
Pathogens can easily penetrate your body if the red, inflamed lips already have deep cracks. This can impair your immune system so significantly that secondary diseases develop. The situation becomes dramatic and even life-threatening as soon as blood poisoning occurs as a result of extremely chapped lips. Then immediate action is required.
HOW DO I PREVENT INFLAMED LIPS?
It is essential to take precautions so that you can avoid an emergency. You can prevent inflamed lips by always remembering to use a lip care product with sunscreen in the summer and a neutral, rich lip care product in the winter. Beurre De Lèvres from Biotherm is suitable as a daily lip care product throughout the seasons. The plumping, nourishing lip balm has a gentle, butter-like texture that provides your skin with nutrients and moisture. The result of the application is supple, soft lips.
In addition to acacia sugar, the balm contains five naturally derived vegetable oils that nourish both women's and men's lips. The delicate fragrance with extracts of peach, lemon, and rose really is the icing on the cake. Your lips look smoother and more beautiful after just the first application. This is the best way to prevent inflamed lips in the first place. If you use the lip balm every day, there is a high probability that your lips will remain healthy and plump in the long run.
PREVENT LIP INFLAMMATION WITH A BALANCED DIET
As mentioned above, inflamed lips are sometimes the result of an unhealthy diet and lack of nutrients. The most common causes of lip inflammation are vitamin B2 and iron deficiencies. You can find out whether this applies to you by having a blood count analysis done by your doctor. Or you can take precautions in advance by enriching your diet with iron-rich foods such as lentils, spinach, broccoli, salsify, kidney beans, or peas. A vitamin B2 deficiency can be offset with dairy and whole grain products, meat, and fish. The following foods should be considered as an anti-inflammatory if you are suffering from red, dry, and chapped lips:
- Amaranth
- Quinoa
- Millet
- Whole grain rice
- Pumpkin seeds
- Poppy seeds
- Almonds
Colorful peppers, dark grapes, cherries, garlic, ginger, turmeric, and chili are also rich in pain-relieving essential oils, anti-inflammatory antioxidants, and healthy plant-based pigments. Therefore, it is advisable to pay attention to a healthy mixture of foods when cooking.
HOW DO I SOOTHE INFLAMED LIPS?
With Biotherm lip care, you can minimize the risk of lip inflammation before it occurs. If you are too late, you should do everything you can to soothe the inflamed lips. This works with a simple home remedy: you can cool highly inflamed lips with ice cubes and cold spoons. If you have sunburn, take extra care with your lips. In this case, cold towels and curd are better for cooling. Some types of tea also have anti-inflammatory effects, including chamomile tea, black tea, and sage tea. Simply place a cooled tea bag on your mouth or gently dab it with tea. If the lips are burning, dry, or chapped, creams with skin-loving active ingredients also help. The latter include zinc, dexpanthenol and calendula extract. Lipstick and other cosmetics to be avoided when suffering from inflammation.
WHAT DO I DO WHEN MY LIPS BURN WITH NEURODERMATITIS?
Red inflamed lips and torn corners of the mouth are typical symptoms of neurodermatitis. This is called lip lick eczema, an often-painful redness around the mouth that is more common in the winter months. Children in particular are affected and, like adults, need lip care tailored to neurodermatitis which alleviates feelings of tension and dryness, and accelerates healing. As a general rule, suitable products should also be used preventively.
HOW SHOULD I CARE FOR MY LIPS EVERY DAY?
Inflamed lips are not only annoying, but can also plague you with pain. Nobody wants that, and that is why it's important to put great emphasis on daily lip care. Incidentally, a Chinese proverb says: a woman's lips are the gateway to her soul. Which of course also applies to men's lips! In everyday life, lip balms have generally proven their worth for both genders. If you want permanently soft, healthy lips, you should apply the Biotherm balm previously mentioned to them every day.
In the summer months, lip balm sticks with a sun protection factor are recommended so that the sensitive skin on your lips remains soft and supple even when faced with UV radiation. Shea butter helps during colder, windier weather. Beeswax and essential oils have a regenerating effect on the lips' skin. Vitamin E is also an essential ingredient for the daily skincare routine of the lips as it protects the skin thanks to its antioxidant properties. If you are looking for a natural home remedy, dab your lips regularly with coconut or olive oil. This will keep them supple and prevent them from drying out.
Last, but not least: people tend to lick their lips when they feel dry. It is advisable not to do this as the saliva will evaporate and cause even more dryness. So, without your daily lip care products, you risk chapped or inflamed lips.
