As a medical condition that is often exhibited by painfully chapped lips, cheilitis can be associated with various causes. In general, the inflammation of the lips that is common to cheilitis causes great discomfort. The good news is that cheilitis is often very easily treated and can be contained in a very short period of time.
There are various reasons why cheilitis can develop in an individual. One of the most common has to do with poor nutrition. A lack of an adequate amount of iron in the bloodstream or a deficiency of vitamin B12 can set the stage for the development of cheilitis. When there is evidence that the root cause of chapped lips stems from improper dietary habits, adding vitamin supplements can help. However, the best long-term solution is to change your eating habits and incorporate foods that provide the minimum daily amount of iron and vitamin B12 on an ongoing basis.
Another possible cause of cheilitis is an allergic flare. Like any part of the body, the lips can be affected by the introduction of certain compounds into the body, the skin, or the general environment. In cases where there is no apparent cause for the cracking, recent changes in the use of skin products, including lip balm or makeup, may be sought. Once the allergen is identified and removed from use, the cheilitis condition should begin to heal.
Cheilitis can also occur as a reaction to prescription medications. While this is a relatively rare occurrence, an outbreak of chapped lips should be reported to a doctor immediately. A medical professional will know how to deal with this type of situation. Often the condition will go away as soon as the drug is stopped and the doctor switches to a different drug.
In very rare situations, cheilitis can be a sign of a serious illness. If the incidence of chapped lips appears to be occurring for a reason other than frequent exposure to wind, and does not seem to heal with the use of over-the-counter lip balms, do not hesitate to seek medical attention immediately.