Cold Winds and Lip Cuts – What Helps?

Cold Winds and Lip Cuts – What Helps?

Winter winds may feel refreshing, but your lips don’t agree! Many people notice their lips becoming dry, chapped, and even cut at the corners during cold weather. Unlike the rest of our skin, lips don’t have oil glands, which makes them more sensitive to dryness.

Let’s look at why this happens and how you can prevent painful lip cuts.

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❄️ Why Do Lips Crack in Cold Winds?

• Lack of moisture in air → Winter winds strip away natural hydration.

• Constant licking of lips → Saliva evaporates quickly, leaving lips drier.

• Vitamin deficiencies (like B2 or iron) → May worsen cracks at the corners.

• Infections → Sometimes fungi or bacteria attack already cracked lips.

• Dehydration → Drinking less water in winter makes skin (and lips) dry.

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👄 Simple Things That Help

1. Use a Lip Balm – Choose one with shea butter, beeswax, or petroleum jelly. Avoid balms with strong fragrances or menthol, which may sting.

2. Avoid Licking Your Lips – It feels soothing for a moment but actually makes dryness worse.

3. Stay Hydrated – Drink enough water even if you don’t feel thirsty in winters.

4. Cover Your Lips – Use a scarf in cold winds to protect lips from direct exposure.

5. Gentle Exfoliation – Once a week, lightly rub lips with a damp soft cloth or sugar scrub to remove dead skin.

6. Treat Cracks at the Corners – If cuts are painful, apply a medicated ointment (antifungal or antibiotic may be needed if infected).

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🚫 What Not to Do

• Don’t peel dry skin off your lips (it causes bleeding).

• Don’t use harsh scrubs daily.

• Don’t ignore severe cracks at corners (they may be angular cheilitis, which needs medical care).

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🩺 When to See a Doctor

If your lips are not healing even after care, or if the cracks at the corners keep coming back, it could be due to:

• Vitamin deficiency

• Infection (fungal or bacterial)

• Allergy from lipsticks, toothpaste, or balms

In such cases, dermatological treatment is required.

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🌬️ Bottom Line:

Cold winds may be harsh on your lips, but with the right care—moisturizing, protecting, and avoiding bad habits—you can keep them soft and pain-free all winter.

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