In spring

你的嘴唇是否就开始Dryness, peeling, stinging?

some people think

This is due to lack of water or seasonal dryness

But whether it's drinking water or putting on lipstick

Lips are still cracked repeatedly

这些seemingly insignificant symptoms

It might just be cheilitis at play.

Dry and peeled lips

The "culprit" might not be dryness.

唇炎是发生于唇部的炎症性疾病的总称，可由多种原因引起，常见症状有干燥脱屑、红肿疼痛、皲裂渗液、结痂，严重时会出现糜烂或色素沉着。与一般的嘴唇发干不同，Lips troubled by cheilitis may continue to dry out repeatedly and become more severe, even if lip balm is constantly applied.

由于In spring, the dry climate and strong winds damage the natural oil layer of the lips. Combined with insufficient intake of vitamins and other nutrients, it is common for lips to become chapped.

When the surface barrier of the lips is damaged, allergens such as increased pollen or dust mites in spring can directly irritate the local area, causing allergic reactions and leading to inflammation. At the same time, the increase in ultraviolet intensity also easily leads to photodamage of the lips, increasing the risk of developing actinic cheilitis.

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What bad habits

Will it cause cheilitis to become increasingly severe?

Research indicates that the rate of moisture loss through the lips is significantly higher than that through other facial skin. Some people frequently lick their lips to alleviate dryness, but in reality, this may exacerbate cheilitis.

Human saliva contains digestive enzymes such as amylase and protease, which are primarily used to break down food. When lips are frequently licked, these enzymes continuously come into contact with the lips, gradually breaking down the lipids and proteins between epidermal cells, thereby weakening the skin's natural protective barrier. Lips that have lost this barrier are more susceptible to external irritants (such as ultraviolet rays, bacteria, etc.), leading to aggravated inflammation.

除此之外，化妆品、牙膏、食物、金属等物质中存在的过敏原；自身免疫类疾病，比如红斑狼疮、干燥综合征、天疱疮等；细菌、病毒或真菌感染；进食辛辣刺激或过热的食物等因素，All of these can potentially cause cheilitis.

Among these, common triggers such as fluoride toothpaste, metal contact (e.g., dentures, lip rings), and side effects of medications (e.g., vitamin A acid drugs) are often overlooked and should be avoided as much as possible.

How should patients with cheilitis take care of themselves daily?

在饮食和生活习惯上，It is recommended to consume more foods rich in vitamins and minerals，少食用刺激性食物；避免长时间暴露在强烈的阳光下或寒冷干燥的环境中；避免频繁舔唇或咬唇等不良习惯，改用吸管饮水，通过减少唇部刺激，来预防唇炎发生以及减轻唇炎症状。

对于经常复发的唇炎患者，需要注意不能撕嘴皮，以免刺激和伤害到嘴唇黏膜。After each meal, clean the skin around the lips and promptly apply a low-irritation lip balm or Vaseline for local moisturization. At the same time, it is necessary to...减少摩擦、搔抓、日晒和使用刺激性唇彩等，避免刺激因素对于唇部皮肤的影响，有助于预防唇炎复发。

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Patients with cheilitis should avoid substances such as menthol (irritant), lanolin (allergenic to some individuals), and chemical sunscreens (e.g., benzophenone) when selecting lip balms.，推荐选择含有透明质酸钠、神经酰胺、角鲨烷等保湿剂的唇膏。另外，Lip balms containing occlusives such as jojoba oil and petroleum jelly can effectively lock in moisture and alleviate chapped, peeling lips.

此外，需要注意一些所谓的“药用唇膏”，主要含有尿囊素、维生素E等抗炎修护成分，能缓解唇部皮肤发红，起到保湿修护的作用，但其Essentially, it is a skincare product and cannot be used as a substitute for medication.

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Doctors advise that if cheilitis occurs year-round and cannot be effectively alleviated through enhanced moisturizing, sun protection, and daily care, or if the lip symptoms affect daily life, presenting with large areas of blisters, exudation, erosion, or scabbing, it is important to seek medical treatment at a hospital promptly.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

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