Owned and operated by Bioak LLC 5 Things Your Lips Can Tell You About Your Health
Cracks, color changes, swelling and more — what they can mean and when to see a doctor.
Your lips are thin, delicate and have almost no oil glands of their own, so they often react to what’s happening in the rest of your body before other skin does. Most changes are harmless and short-lived, but some are worth paying attention to.
1. Cracked lips
Cracks at the corners or across the lips are usually a sign of dehydration or dry weather. When they keep coming back, they can also point to low levels of B vitamins or iron, a yeast infection at the corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis), or poorly controlled blood sugar.
What helps: drink enough water, use a fragrance-free balm, and talk to your doctor if cracks don’t heal within a couple of weeks.
2. Discolored lips
Lip color can change for many reasons:
- Bluish lips can mean you’re cold — or, more seriously, that your blood isn’t carrying enough oxygen.
- Pale lips may be linked to anemia.
- Bright red or peeling lips can follow sunburn or irritation.
- New dark or black spots should always be checked, as they can occasionally be a sign of skin cancer.
3. Swollen lips
Swelling is often caused by a minor injury, a cosmetic treatment or an allergic reaction to food, medication or a lip product. Rarely, it’s linked to inflammatory conditions.
Get emergency help if swelling comes with difficulty breathing or swallowing — this can be a sign of a severe allergic reaction.
4. Chapped, scaly or crusty lips
Dry climates, wind, mouth breathing and licking your lips are the usual culprits. Ongoing scaling can also be linked to too much vitamin A (including from retinoid acne treatments) or too little B vitamins, zinc or iron.
5. Burning lips
A burning or tingling feeling without a visible cause can be linked to hormonal changes such as menopause, nerve-related issues, or a condition called burning mouth syndrome. Stress and anxiety can make it worse.
How to keep your lips healthy
- Use a lip balm with SPF during the day.
- Choose fragrance-free products if your lips are sensitive.
- Stay hydrated and eat a varied diet rich in B vitamins, iron and zinc.
- Avoid licking or picking at dry lips.
- Check your lips now and then, and see a doctor about any change that lasts more than two weeks.
This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for medical advice.
