Lip

[Era91]

Hi, for about two months now my lips have been turning white, and they get very dry. Usually when this happens I consume a lot of water but it hardly does anything. It takes about a day for the dryness to go away. I can literally look at my self in the mirror and stare for a couple of seconds and watch as my lips become very dry and get that white cracked look to it. This does not always happen I don't seem to always have it comes and goes and I don't know how to get rid of it. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

[Era91]

Thank you for the response and help I greatly appreciate it. I will try these and see if my condition improves and will post back here If my condition persists or improves. Thank you for the help.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Firstly, It can be due to vitamin B deficiency. Take some vitamin B complex for some days and see if your symptoms improve. Secondly, it can be due to cheilitis. Use a humidifier to moisturize the air in your home and apply shea butter or Vaseline on your lips. You can also use a homemade ointment mixed from 1 tsp glycerine, 1 tsp lemon juice and 1 tsp castor oil. Spread on lips overnight, refrigerating the leftovers for future use. Eat foods high in calcium, magnesium and flaxseed oil. If a week of compresses and emollients don't do the trick, you can add over-the-counter 1 percent hydrocortisone ointment to your regimen.

If the condition still persists or there is deep cracking in the region of your mouth, then please consult your doctor as it can be due to infection(Angular Cheilitis).Antibiotics are needed in such cases.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how your son is doing or if you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.