Lip conditions: symptoms, cause and treatment
The lips, divided into an upper and lower lip, are lined with particularly thin and sensitive skin that is rich in nerve endings. This makes them an important sensory element and an essential component in communication and relationship life.
Constantly exposed to air, pollution and weather, the lips are particularly vulnerable to skin disorders such as dryness, cracking and irritation. Specific and consistent care is essential to preserve their health and ensure comfort and beauty.
CHAPPED OR DRY LIPS
Dry or chapped lips are a common skin problem. Wind, prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures or the dry air of air-conditioned environments can cause great stress on the thin skin of the lips, leading it to dry out and crack.
Some individuals, however, are affected by these symptoms throughout the year, regardless of external factors.
BLADE HERPES
Cold sores (herpes labialis or oral herpes), are a recurrent skin infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This virus is usually found in the ganglia nerve and, in stressful circumstances, the virus can be activated and will spread to the lips, leading to the destruction of many epidermis cells.
ATOPIC DERMATITIS
The lips are frequently affected by atopic dermatitis (atopic cheilitis), which can appear in both children and adults. Symptoms usually include lip dryness, cracking, micro-cuts and itching.
ANGULAR CHEILITIS
Angular cheilitis (or perleche, from the French, ‘through licking’), is a common condition resulting in the corner of the mouth becoming inflamed, cracked and red. Cheilitis is usually caused by excess moisture at the sides of the mouth.