Sores on the lips are often caused by dry and chapped lips. Sores on the lips can also be caused by allergic reactions or symptoms of disease. By treating your lips with lip balm and avoiding behaviors that can damage your lips, you will be able to heal sores on your lips easily without going to the doctor. Once you've managed to treat the wound, be sure to treat your lips and prevent any further cuts or damage from occurring.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Healing Lips
Step 1. Look for lip products that contain petroleum
The most popular brand of products that contain petrolatum is Vaseline. However, products with unknown brands are also often effective. Although there are concerns regarding the safety of some petrolatum products on the European market, these issues have now been resolved and have a good rating in terms of safety. Petrolatum creates a protective layer on the skin that retains moisture so lips don't dry out and hurt.
Step 2. Use a product that contains dimethicone
Dimethicone is a moisturizing ingredient that can heal peeling and irritation of dehydrated skin and problems that cause sores on the skin. However, be careful when using these products on the lips because dimethicone can be harmful if too much is swallowed. Although the chances of this happening are very small, be careful not to lick your lips too often.
Step 3. Avoid products that contain harmful ingredients
Lip balms that feel cool to the touch may feel good, but they often cause lips to dry out and sting even more. If a product contains eucalyptus, menthol, or camphor, look for alternative products.
Step 4. Apply lip balm before going to bed
This way, lip balm can moisturize your lips overnight and make them softer and less chapped when you wake up. This is especially effective for people who use lipstick a lot because the cracks and peeling skin on the lips will be less visible when the lipstick is applied in the morning.
Step 5. Consider whether your lips touch the allergen or not
If your lips are often sore despite regular use of lip balm, you may be suffering from an allergic reaction. The possible cause is a food (like nuts) or a product you use on your lips. Common allergens found in lip products are beeswax (beeswax), shea butter, castor oil, and soybean oil. If these are the culprits, switch your plant-based moisturizer to a petroleum-based product.
You may need corticosteroid cream treatment. The cream can be rubbed with a finger on the lips to relieve irritation or allergic contact dermatitis on the lips known as cheilitis
Step 6. Drink plenty of water
Keeping the body hydrated helps all body functions and promotes overall health. If the body is dehydrated, its largest organ, namely the skin, will also dry out. This dry condition can cause sores on the lips. The Institute of Medicine recommends adult women to drink at least 9 glasses of fluids every day and adult men drink at least 13 glasses of fluids per day. Liquids in question include all liquids including coffee, juices, and even liquids contained in food.
Step 7. Avoid activities that can make the lips more injured
Actions to heal and keep lips hydrated are not enough. You should also make sure to avoid behaviors that can prevent your lips from healing quickly. Common behaviors that can cause sore lips are plucking or biting off the skin on the lip and trying to exfoliate the injured lip.
Step 8. Contact a dermatologist
If the treatments listed above don't work, you may have an underlying disease that needs to be treated. For example, swollen lips can be a symptom of Crohn's disease, which inflames lymph channels throughout the body. Consult a dermatologist who can provide a medical analysis of your condition.
Part 2 of 2: Protecting Lips
Step 1. Take precautions
Don't wait until your lips are swollen and sore to start treating them. Even when you're healthy, take care of your lips by keeping them moisturized, using lip balm that keeps your lips hydrated, and applying ointment to ensure that you don't suffer from sores on your lips again.
Step 2. Exfoliate when lips are healthy
While sore or chapped lips should not be bothered, exfoliating while healthy lips are an important part of your skincare routine. You can buy lip exfoliants at places that sell makeup. Seed exfoliant looks like lipstick, but is able to remove dead skin cells on the top layer of the lips. However, you can also use simple home products to do this. To make it, mix sugar and olive oil. Then, rub a small amount of the mixture on your lips with your fingertips.
- Don't rub too vigorously as this can cause damage that results in sores and inflammation.
- After exfoliating, moisturize your lips with a lip balm that can keep your lips hydrated.
Step 3. Don't lick your lips
Some people often lick their lips without realizing it. You may think it is harmless and keeps lips hydrated. However, the effect is just the opposite. By licking it, the natural oils that make the lips healthy will be lifted and the lips will become dry as the saliva evaporates. Make a concerted effort to stop licking your lips.
Step 4. Protect lips from sun damage
Lips have very little melanin (a pigment that protects the skin from harmful UV rays) than skin on other parts of the body. Therefore, the lips are at risk of damage due to sunlight every time we are outside. Sunlight can cause dry, chapped lips, sores, cold sores, and in severe cases, cancer. To avoid this, be sure to protect your lips with a product that contains SPF. Most of the lip protection products from the sun have a low SPF of 15. These products can be used in everyday life. However, if you are going to the beach or working outdoors, be sure to protect your lips and skin with a product with a higher SPF.
Step 5. Take care of your oral health
Make sure that your lips, teeth, gums and mouth are healthy by following the guidelines. The guidelines in question include brushing your teeth twice a day or after meals with toothpaste that contains fluoride. Clean the toothbrush after use and store it in an open place so that the toothbrush can dry and not grow bacteria. Also remember to floss and visit the dentist every 6-12 months. Maintaining good oral hygiene can reduce the risk of infection and prevent and or heal injured lips more quickly.
Tips
- If you have a cold sore, immediately place an ice cube on your lips.
- Use a humidifier at night and apply lip balm before bed.
- Using petroleum jelly for at least a week will heal hard and sore lips.
- Apply petroleum jelly on your lips before going to bed. This will help keep your lips moisturized and in the morning will soothe any sore or chapped lips.
- Don't touch the lips. The bacteria on your fingers can spread to your lips, slowing the healing process and making them more sore.
- Do not use lip balm that contains fragrance because it can make the lips more sore.
- Try using a lip balm in a tube form instead of a pot. The bacteria on the fingers will spread to the lips and cause infection.
- Rub lips with clear lip balm or ice.
