Page 29 - Seniors Today - June 2021 Issue
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structured similar to mucous membranes, • Dehydration, heat stroke, fever, or
but with the addition of a protective outside excessive heat.
layer of skin. Lips don’t have hair follicles, • Nasal congestion, which leads to chronic
or sweat, saliva and oil glands. mouth-breathing. This can sometimes be a
This unique structure means they’re result of illness, such as when you have a
particularly prone to dryness as they have common cold.
a much lower ability to hold water than the • Cold weather or cold wind that runs along
rest of the face’s skin. the lips and removes moisture.
• Persistent licking, which can create a wet-
What causes dry lips? dry cycle that excessively dries out your
lips.
The dryness can also lead to pain, itching
or stinging.
If dry lips start causing serious issues,
it may be helpful to discuss this with a
medical professional.
In many cases these use petroleum jelly
as a base (although it’s not required),
along with refined mineral oils to remove
any hazardous compounds, and other
Many of us get dry lips at certain times ingredients that can assist in retaining and
of the year. This can occur naturally, or maintaining a barrier function.
be brought on by many different factors, In the race to appeal to consumers,
including: cosmetic manufacturers have trialled a
• Inflamed lips, known as cheilitis. This can number of new ingredients in their lip
be due to a skin condition, or an infection balms. Popular lip balms often contain
such as herpes or cold sores. additives which can make the balm smell
• Allergies. or taste nice, or soften the feel when it rubs
• Medications which impact the salivary against the lips.
glands, the mouth’s surrounding muscles, Some of these extra ingredients can help.
or sensations throughout the lip area. For example, if you’re out in the sun a lot,
• Tongue injuries, teeth that rub against the lip balm with included sunscreen is a great
lips, or other dental issues. addition.
• Poor oral health. This can be brought on
by general neglect, eating disorders, or bad Products to avoid
oral hygiene habits.
• Burns, such as eating food that’s too hot,
or sunburn. Burns can result in the lips
swelling, scarring and blistering, and it
may take a long time for the pain to be
alleviated.
• Some diseases or disorders, such as
Sjögren’s syndrome.
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #24 | JUNE 2021 29
