Addicted to lip balm

[inanoyster]

Hi there!  I know that there are many threads dedicated to this issue, but I still wanted to get my question out there:

I drink plenty of water.  At least 3 liters of water per day (and that's an understatement) and I take a multi-vitamin supplement along with a B vitamin supplement and Calcium supplement.  I never used to use lip balms because my  lips were never dry.  However...

I recently went through this stage where I was lacking B vitamin and my lips became horribly dry.  After I started taking my supplements regularly (and still drinking enough water), the cracks on the corner of my lips and on my lips completely healed.  I thought, "Great!" but have soon realized that I am now addicted to applying lip balm.  

I'm not a brand monogamist, either - I switch from brand to brand, depending on the texture of the lip balm.  Whenever I use less, I feel like my lips are not as moist as they could be - so then, I apply more.  I almost feel as if my lips are dry to the point that they hurt when I don't use any lip balm, even though I look in the mirror and see that they're fine, although they are drier and redder (stretched out).

Is there anything I can do to wean myself off of lip balm?  I don't like the waxy textures of Chapstick brand and the Burt's Bees, so I know that it's not necessarily the "protective" properties that I'm so attracted to.  I like the completely moisturizing properties (that I would get from Body Shop's cocoa butter lip balm), but I don't think I'm ever that really dehydrated.  

I'd really appreciate any support or opinions.

Thanks so much!

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

This could be a part of Cheilitis, which is a medical condition involving inflammation of the lip. Or a bad case of Chapped lips , a condition whereby the lips become dry and possibly cracked. It may be caused by the evaporation of moisture.

Lip balm can often provide temporary relief, though it should not be used extensively.  One should avoid licking their lips as saliva contains the enzyme amylase, which can damage the already compromised lip tissue.
Honey can be used on the lips as a natural remedy.


Cheilitis is associated with many conditions from Vitamin B12 deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, be a symptom of allergies.can also be caused by taking the (retinoid) drug Isotretinoin (brand name Roaccutane).

Applying protective paraffin-based ointment (such as Vaseline) or lip balms to the lips is normally very effective. Also take Vitamin B supplements.

If nothing works you can have a biopsy done to find out the cause.
ref:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapped_lips

Some causes of the symptoms you mention, could be lip biting, lip licking, Vit.B2 deficiency, smoking, overexposure to sun and ill fitting dentures. In extreme cases, this could be due to bacterial or fungal skin infection.

You need to drink plenty of water daily – around 1.5 – 3 litres per day and eat a balanced diet. Do not keep your lips dry; apply lip balm which contains sunscreen – preferably a medicated one.

If the symptoms still persist, consult your skin specialist or dermatologist.

Let us know about how you are doing and if you have any other doubts.

Regards.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

I think that your lips may not have healed completely yet. In fact, this could be a part of Cheilitis, which is a medical condition involving inflammation of the lip. Or a case of excessively Chapped lips , a condition whereby the lips become dry and possibly cracked. It may be caused by the evaporation of moisture.

Lip balm can often provide temporary relief, though it should not be used extensively since then dependence develops.  One should avoid licking their lips as saliva contains the enzyme amylase, which can damage the already compromised lip tissue. Honey can be used on the lips as a natural remedy.

Cheilitis is associated with many conditions from Vitamin B12 deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, be a symptom of allergies.can also be caused by taking the (retinoid) drug Isotretinoin (brand name Roaccutane).

Also take Vitamin B supplements.

If nothing works you can have a biopsy done to find out the cause.
ref:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapped_lips

Some causes of the symptoms you mention, could be lip biting, lip licking, Vit.B2 deficiency, smoking, overexposure to sun and ill fitting dentures. In extreme cases, this could be due to bacterial or fungal skin infection.

You need to drink plenty of water daily – around 1.5 – 3 litres per day and eat a balanced diet. Do not keep your lips dry. If the symptoms still persist, consult your skin specialist or dermatologist.

Let us know about how you are doing and if you have any other doubts.

Regards.

[inanoyster]

Hi there!  Thanks so much for responding.

However, my lips aren't cracked right now.  But I still have to apply lip balm or otherwise I'll feel as if they're starting to get dry (I can tell by smiling - they get tight).

Also, what plant foods have Vitamin B12?

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

You need to drink plenty of water daily – around 1.5 – 3 litres per day and eat a balanced diet. Do not keep your lips dry.

The only reliable unfortified sources of vitamin B12 are meat, dairy products and eggs. There has been considerable research into possible plant food sources of B12. Fermented soya products, seaweeds and algae have all been proposed as possible sources of B12. However, analysis of fermented soya products, including tempeh, miso, shoyu and tamari, found no significant B12.
Spirulina, an algae available as a dietary supplement in tablet form, and nori, a seaweed, have both appeared to contain significant amounts of B12 after analysis. However, it is thought that this is due to the presence of compounds structurally similar to B12, known as B12 analogues. These cannot be utilised to satisfy dietary needs. Assay methods used to detect B12 are unable to differentiate between B12 and it's analogues, Analysis of possible B12 sources may give false positive results due to the presence of these analogues.

Researchers have suggested that supposed B12 supplements such as spirulina may in fact increase the risk of B12 deficiency disease, as the B12 analogues can compete with B12 and inhibit metabolism.

The current nutritional consensus is that no plant foods can be relied on as a safe source of vitamin B12.

Let us know if you need any further information.

Regards.

[emily1808]

hello , i seem to had been experiencing the same problem , and i am now better , i think i may be able to help.

if i were you , keep off of cosmetic brands like chapstick and vaseline, do not keep trying to make them work, in this case you may need something more medicated.
(like me)

dont try mixing products (as in using vaseline on minuet and then putting e45 on straight after) as it would cause a build up and make a infection or a reaction.

now , i suggest you see a doctor , and they should give you a Medicaed lip cream and a antibiotic. theese should take about 10 days before it has cleared it up.

i hope i could help , best of luck!