Chapped lips that are sore and red are likely to crack open when the individual drinks, eats, talks or even smiles. It is important to note that blisters on the lips can make the condition even more painful. Even though you can treat and prevent most cases of chapped and blistered lips with first aid care at home, irritation and mouth sores can oftentimes indicate underlying medical conditions, allergic reactions or tumors. It is best to consult a doctor if the blisters persist for more than two weeks or if the individual experiences other symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, fever, skin rashes and drooling.
What are the causes of blisters on chapped lips?
There are various causes which include dry and cold winter weather and even exposure to the sun can cause the lips to crack open, peel and eventually blister. If the individual bites his/her lips or lick in an attempt to sooth the dryness will only worsen the condition.
Cold sores are lesions that are filled with fluid on the mouth that are triggered by the herpes simplex virus. These can cause the formation of blisters on the lips as well as irritation and chapping.
If the chapped lips and blisters are caused by dehydration, it typically starts with minor irritation or redness that worsens over time if the individual could not manage the conditions that cause the dryness. If the individual goes outdoors without providing proper protection to the lips such as sunscreen, the sun damage can lead to blistering, drying and scaling of the lips as well as other parts of the body.
The mouth can also tingle for several days before a flare-up of a cold sore. Take note that cold sores usually start with small-sized blisters that break open and ooze as well as crusting over. These sores usually clear up within two weeks.
Treatment
When treating dry and chapped lips, you can apply petrolatum and beeswax. The individual must be encouraged to avoid hot foods and beverages, salty and spicy foods as well as citrus since these can further irritate the chapped and blistered lips.
The cold sores typically go away without requiring any treatment but the doctor will recommend oral antiviral medications and topical treatments to reduce the pain and shorten the length of the outbreak. If the individual experiences repeated outbreak of cold sores, the doctor will recommend ongoing oral antiviral medications to prevent a recurrence.
Preventive measures
You have to encourage the individual to drink plenty of water especially during the winter months in order to keep his/her lips soft and well-hydrated. A lip balm must be applied before going outdoors during the cold, dry weather. A humidifier inside the house will help keep the air humid.
Always bear in mind that chapped, blistered lips are prone to infection. With this in mind, applying an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment is useful in preventing infection and a hydrocortisone ointment to hasten the healing process.