Perhaps the worst thing about chapped lips is that they can hurt and hinder a smile or a kiss – and who wants that?! But have no fear, chapped lips are a common problem. A person will deal with chapped lips at least once in their lifetime, some, unfortunately, deal with it daily.

Common Causes of Chapped Lips

The main causes of chapped lips leads right to the remedy of them. Exposure to the elements, such as wind, too much sun, and cold dry air is just one cause. Some causes of chapped lips are medical like sinus problems forcing a person to breathe through their mouth, allergen dermatitis and some medications. The most common reason, especially for children, is frequent licking or biting of the lips or dehydration. Knowing the causes to chapped lips aids in the remedy of how to get rid of chapped lips.

Protect Yourself from Chapped Lips

If you are going to be out in the elements, protect your lips first. Going sunbathing, swimming or on a bike ride, while you are gearing up, gear them lips up. It is wintertime and you are heading out to go sledding, snowmobiling or just for leisure walk; when you are layering the clothes on yourself, layer some protection on them lips. Whatever element you are forcing your lips to endure, protect them first. You never know when your next kiss may be coming or when you may want to dazzle someone with a smile. Chapped lips are not an attractive sight.

Medically Caused Chapped Lips

Medically caused chapped lips, in the majority of cases, can be eliminated by prevention. When dealing with breathing problems, protect your lips regularly through out the day and at bedtime. That goes the same for chapped lips due to allergen dermatitis or medications that has side effects that cause drying. Regular maintenance of your lips with a little extra tender loving care can go a long way.

For the lip biters and lickers, that is more of a self-induced behavior that needs breaking. Throw some gum in your mouth to keep your chompers happy and less likely to bite your lip instead. Use nasty tasting lotion on your lips as a friendly reminder so every time you go to lick them you are rewarded with a foul taste in your mouth. Start sucking or better yet, licking on some lollipops; sugar-free if you are worried about the calories. Dehydration is explanatory on its own. Start drinking water and lots of it. Engorge your body with it, not only will your lips love you but your whole body systems and functions will love you.

Preventing Against Chapped Lips

That brings us to protection, which happens to be the same as prevention, which happens to be the same as cure. Your question on how to get rid of chapped lips is as easy as your protection. Some proven protections for your lips that will also help get rid of your chapped lips are lip balms that contain petrolatum or beeswax applied several times a day and even more frequent when exposed to the elements. Lip creams that contain sunscreen are another way to go to; regardless the time of year, the sun always shines.

A couple other things to keep in mind for your precious lips is to stay well saturated internally with water and if you live in dry air climate or the air in your home is just dry, use a humidifier. Some other successful lip treatments to get rid of chapped lips are olive oil, vitamin E, castor oil, margarine, glycerin, shortening, calendula salve, Burt’s Bee salve or lip balm, and diaper rash ointment. Which ever you choose, just make sure you do it daily and frequently throughout the day and enjoy the new smooth soft and supple lips you will create.