Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Chapped lips
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Chapped lips is a condition whereby the lips become dry and possibly cracked. It may be caused by the evaporation of moisture.
Treatments
Treatments
Chapstick can often provide temporary relief, though it should not be used extensively. Avoid licking your lips. Saliva evaporates quickly, leaving lips drier than before you licked them.
See also
See also
- Angular cheilitis — a more severe condition involving an infection and deep cracking around the mouth. Thick lip gloss does not usually help chapped lips, as it usually decreases the lips moisture. Chapped lips are much like peeling skin.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]