The face is the "calling card" of any person. In most cases, aesthetic imperfections lead to persistent psychological discomfort. The appearance of dry crusts on the lips may be the result of banal weathering or serve as a symptom of the development of a serious disease. If they are constantly observed on the mucosa, while actively moisturizing the tissues does not lead to a positive result, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Initially, it is advisable to make an appointment with a therapist. This is a specialist in a wide profile who can establish the nature of the crusts on the lips. The treatment of an unpleasant symptom and underlying disease involves: therapist, dermatologist, endocrinologist, dentist. The most likely causes of the appearance of a crust on the lips are described below.
Weathering
The skin in this area is characterized by an increased degree of sensitivity. Even the slightest change in weather conditions can significantly affect the condition of the lips. The maximum negative impact has a strong wind.
If cracks and crusts on the lips are the result of chapping, the following symptoms are observed:
- Peeling.
- Slight burning sensation.
- Roughness of the lips.
- The cracks are shallow.
If untreated, the symptoms persist for several days.
Doctor's recommendations for frequent episodes of chapping of the lips:
- Before going out, lubricate them with balms, the composition of which is represented by vitamins. It is undesirable to use funds with retinol and alcohol.
- Get rid of bad habits. As practice shows, people who often drink alcoholic beverages and smokers are most susceptible to weathering.
- It is important to maintain high humidity in the apartment.
- Drink at least two liters of clean still water per day.
- Wash with warm water. Cold or too hot fluid worsens the condition of the lips.
For quick relief of symptoms, it is recommended to use pharmacy products. If the crust on the lips is constantly worrying, doctors prescribe the following drugs: petrolatum, vitamin E (in capsules, they need to be opened and the skin treated with liquid), hydrocortisone ointment.
Vitamin deficiency
In this case, the so-called jams appear - cracks in the corners of the lips. They are shallow, but cause a person expressed discomfort.
Hypovitaminosis is the main cause of cracks in the corners of the lips. Treatment in this case involves the completion of a deficiency of vitamins, macro- and microelements. In this case, the main emphasis is on substances from group B.
The presence of hypovitaminosis can be suspected by the following signs:
- Hair loss.
- Frequent episodes of damage to the oral mucosa.
- Pain in the tongue. The organ is red.
- Peeling of the skin.
- Psycho-emotional instability, often depression.
- Photophobia.
- Visual impairment up to cataracts.
- Frequent episodes of dizziness.
If hypovitaminosis is the cause of cracks in the corners of the lips, treatment involves taking special complexes. Most often, doctors prescribe the following agents: Meligen Aevit, Doppel Herz Magnesium and B vitamins, Vitrum complex.
Allergy
An undesirable reaction occurs after contact of the irritant with the skin of the lips. In the role of a provoking factor most often are:
- Strong wind.
- Ultra-violet rays.
- Too cold air.
- Aggressive chemical compounds that are part of lipsticks, dentures made of plastic, toothpastes, items made of metal.
- Food.
- Cosmetics of poor quality.
The main symptoms of allergies:
- Crusts on the lips.
- Redness of the near-mouth zone.
- Rash in the form of vesicles, which subsequently open independently.
- Pain on palpation of the lips.
- Swelling of the tissues.
Allergy is not a harmless condition. If fever, blueness of the lips and nails, itching in the throat or suffocation is added to the above symptoms, it is necessary to call an ambulance team as soon as possible.
Allergy treatment involves taking antihistamines, as well as the local use of hormonal and wound healing products.
Diabetes
This pathology is characterized by absolute or relative insufficiency of insulin - a hormone produced by the pancreas. Against the background of an increase in glucose concentration, there is a thirst that is almost impossible to quench. Because of this, the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and the skin of the lips dry out.
Concomitant symptoms:
- Frequent urination.
- Drowsiness.
- The rapid onset of fatigue.
- Slow healing of even small lesions.
- Heart palpitations.
- A sharp decrease in body weight.
- Visual impairment.
The appearance of crusts on the lip in one place is a rather specific sign of diabetes. In this case, it is recommended to consult a therapist. The doctor will issue a referral for a blood test. If the glucose level in the liquid connective tissue is increased, the endocrinologist will deal with the pathology.
Cheilitis
The disease on the lips manifests itself in the form of edema, redness, peeling, bleeding sores, burning and pain during a conversation or eating. Pathology is dangerous in that malignancy of the inflammatory process can occur.
Cheilitis can be either an independent disease, or serve as a sign of another pathology. The main causes of the development of the inflammatory process:
- Erythematosis.
- Psoriasis.
- Lichen planus.
- Syphilis.
- Tuberculosis.
- Adverse weather conditions.
- Frequent contact with harmful compounds (occupational factor).
- Atopic dermatitis.
- Neurological disorders.
If signs of cheilitis occur, consult your dentist. The specialist will conduct an examination and, if necessary, prescribe a histological examination of the affected tissues.
The disease takes several forms (depending on the etiological factor). Treatment directly depends on the type of pathology. As a rule, therapy involves the local use of anti-inflammatory and glucocorticosteroid drugs, as well as taking antihistamines. All patients need to follow a hypoallergenic diet.
Herpes
This pathology has a viral etiology. In this case, the pathogen is able to affect not only the skin and mucous membranes, but also the nervous system.
Infection of a healthy person occurs during contact with an infected person. For example, with kisses, hugs, as well as when using common household items. In addition, the virus is transmitted by transplacental route from mother to child, as well as from donor to recipient during transfusion of blood or its components.
Symptoms of herpes on the lips:
- Redness of the tissues.
- Severe itching.
- Swelling.
- The formation of small bubbles filled with transparent contents. Over time, they open, and in their place crusts form.
Herpes treatment in most cases is carried out on an outpatient basis. With a severe course of pathology and the presence of complications, hospitalization in a hospital is indicated.
If there is a cold sore on the lip, what should I do? Treatment involves topical use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Most often, doctors prescribe the following drugs: “Acyclovir”, “Zovirax”, “Valtrex”, “Infagel”. In this case, it is very important not to comb the foci of pathology in order to prevent the attachment of a secondary infection.
Xerostomia
This disease is characterized by insufficient salivation, as a result of which the mucous membrane of the mouth and the skin of the lips dry out.
Reasons for the development of xerostomia:
- Taking medication.
- Diabetes.
- Iron-deficiency anemia.
- HIV
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Mumps.
- Dehydration
- Brain injuries.
- Impaired nasal breathing.
Xerostomia is characterized not only by excessive dryness of tissues, but also burning, impaired chewing and swallowing, and speech disorders.
The treatment of the disease is aimed at eliminating the root cause.
Thyroid disease
Often, against the background of a violation of the functioning of this organ, crusts appear on the lips. If this symptom is combined with psycho-emotional instability and sharp fluctuations in weight, you need to contact an endocrinologist. The specialist will draw up a referral for a blood test for thyroid hormones and, based on the diagnostic results, draw up a treatment regimen.
Finally
One or more crusts on the lips may be the result of chapping or serve as a symptom of serious pathologies. To find out the reason, you must consult a doctor. The specialist will diagnose and, based on its results, draw up a treatment regimen.