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Dry and cracked lips

The skin of the lips is thinner than elsewhere and has no oil glands, so it is the first to react to cold, wind, dry air and dehydration.

This page provides general information and does not replace a doctor’s consultation. If symptoms are severe, persistent or worsening, seek medical advice promptly.

The skin of the lips is thinner than elsewhere and has no oil glands, so it is the first to react to cold, wind, dry air and dehydration. In most cases dryness and cracking settle on their own within a few days. But if lips stubbornly refuse to heal, flake for months, or become inflamed at the corners, there is usually an underlying cause worth finding.

What helps

  • a balm based on petroleum jelly, lanolin or beeswax — these hold moisture better than products with menthol and fragrance;
  • applying it often, including overnight;
  • outdoors during the day, use something with SPF 15 or higher: lips burn easily and rarely get any sun protection;
  • in cold and wind, cover your face with a scarf;
  • humidify the air indoors, particularly during the heating season;
  • drink enough water.

What is better avoided

  • do not lick your lips — saliva evaporates and dries them further, which becomes a loop;
  • do not pick or bite off flaking skin: it opens up sores and slows healing;
  • do not use lip scrubs on cracked lips;
  • do not share balm with other people;
  • if a balm stings, or dryness increases while you use it, switch products: there may be a reaction to a fragrance or dye.

When to see a clinician

  • your lips have not healed in two to three weeks despite good care;
  • they are swollen, hot and painful — infection is possible;
  • painful cracks, crusting or redness have appeared at the corners of the mouth;
  • a firm patch that will not heal, an ulcer, or a persistent white area has formed on the lip;
  • dry lips come together with dry eyes and a dry mouth;
  • the cracking started after beginning a new medicine.

A separate note on firm non-healing lesions and ulcers, especially on the lower lip: these need showing to a clinician, because that is how a pre-cancerous change or a lip cancer can look.

Common causes

  • Weather and indoor climate — cold, wind, dry air, air conditioning;
  • dehydration and the habit of licking the lips;
  • sun damage — actinic cheilitis, in which the lip flakes for years;
  • allergic or contact cheilitis — a reaction to ingredients in lipsticks, toothpaste, mouthwash or orthodontic appliances;
  • cracks at the corners of the mouth — a fungal or bacterial infection, often linked to excess saliva, ill-fitting dentures, or a shortage of iron or B vitamins;
  • cold sores — starting with tingling and burning before the blisters appear;
  • medication — retinoids for acne, some blood pressure drugs, chemotherapy;
  • general conditions — anaemia, vitamin and zinc deficiency, thyroid disease, dry-mouth syndromes.

Treatment

This depends on the cause. Cracks at the corners are treated with an antifungal or antibacterial cream, and where inflammation is marked, a short course of a topical anti-inflammatory. Cold sores are treated with antivirals, and these work better the earlier they are started — ideally at the first tingle. Where allergy is suspected, contact with the likely culprit is withdrawn. And if the problem is a shortage of iron or vitamins, blood tests are done and the deficiency corrected.

Common questions

Is it true that lip balm is addictive? There is no physical dependence. But some products with menthol and camphor relieve only briefly and increase dryness, which creates the sense of being worse off without them.

Does drinking more water help? It helps if you are dehydrated. If the cause is an allergy or an infection, water alone is not enough.

Are cracks at the corners contagious? The crack itself is not, but the fungi or bacteria behind it can pass on through shared crockery and towels.

Online consultation

In an online appointment a doctor can work through what is happening to your lips, review photographs, help distinguish simple dryness from an infection or an allergy, prescribe treatment and advise which blood tests are worth doing if the problem drags on.

This article is for general information and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.

Consult with a doctor about Dry and cracked lips

Consult with a doctor about Dry and cracked lips

Discuss your symptoms and possible next steps with a doctor online.

Medically reviewed by

Andrei Popov
Andrei Popov
General medicineMedical License: 464628925

Reviewed on Jul 19, 2026

Online doctors for Dry and cracked lips

Discuss your symptoms and possible next steps for Dry and cracked lips with a doctor online.

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5.0(1)

Tomasz Grzelewski

DermatologyAllergology21 years of experience

Dr Tomasz Grzelewski is an MD, PhD specialist in allergy, paediatrics, general practice and sports medicine, with a clinical focus on dermatology, endocrinology, allergology and sports-related health. He has more than 20 years of clinical experience and completed his medical training at the Medical University of Łódź, where he defended his PhD thesis with distinction. His doctoral research was recognised by the Polish Society of Allergology for its innovative contribution to the field. Throughout his career, he has gained extensive expertise in diagnosing and managing a wide range of allergic and paediatric conditions, including modern allergen desensitisation techniques. For five years, Dr Grzelewski served as the Head of two paediatric departments in Poland, managing complex clinical cases and leading multidisciplinary teams. He also worked in medical centres in the United Kingdom, gaining experience across both primary care and specialist environments. With over a decade of telemedicine experience, he has provided online consultations across Europe and is valued for his clear, structured and evidence-based medical guidance. Dr Grzelewski is actively involved in clinical programmes focused on modern anti-allergic therapies. As a Principal Investigator, he leads research projects on sublingual and oral allergen desensitisation, supporting evidence-based progress in allergy treatment for both children and adults. In addition to his background in allergology and paediatrics, he completed dermatology studies through the Cambridge Education Group (Royal College of Physicians of Ireland) and a Clinical Endocrinology course at Harvard Medical School. This advanced training enhances his ability to manage skin manifestations of allergies, atopic conditions, urticaria, endocrine-related symptoms and complex immunological reactions. Patients commonly seek his care for: 

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Dr Tomasz Grzelewski is known for his clear communication style, structured medical approach and ability to explain treatment options in a concise and accessible way. His multidisciplinary background across allergy, paediatrics, dermatology and endocrinology allows him to provide safe, up-to-date and comprehensive care for patients of all ages.

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€106
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5.0(8)

Lizaveta Trafimchuk Takhvaniuk

DermatologyGeneral medicine10 years of experience

Dr. Lizaveta Trafimchuk Takhvaniuk graduated in Medicine and subsequently specialized in Dermatology and Venereology. She has more than 10 years of clinical experience and is licensed to practice in Spain, where she focuses on the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of dermatological conditions.

Throughout her education and professional career, Dr. Trafimchuk has gained extensive experience in managing diseases of the skin, hair, and nails, as well as in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Her clinical approach is based on evidence-based medicine, combined with personalized care tailored to each patient’s needs.

In her daily practice, she treats a wide range of dermatological conditions, including chronic inflammatory dermatoses such as acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema. She also has experience in treating pigmentation disorders, including melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and dyschromia.

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Thanks to her experience and continuous professional development, Dr. Trafimchuk provides high-quality medical care that is professional, confidential, and aligned with modern dermatology standards.

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€72
Doctor
0.0(0)

Daria Litash

Dermatology2 years of experience

Dr. Daria Litash is an experienced physician specializing in general medicine, weight management, healthy weight loss, and overall wellness. Her approach combines thorough medical assessment with personalized recommendations to help patients improve their health and maintain an active, balanced lifestyle.

During every online consultation, she places particular emphasis on taking a detailed medical history and identifying the underlying causes of symptoms. When clinically appropriate, she recommends blood tests or additional diagnostic investigations to provide a more accurate assessment and create an individualized treatment plan.

Her main areas of expertise include:

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Dr. Litash also holds a qualification in Aesthetic Medicine, allowing her to approach skin and hair concerns from both a medical and preventive perspective, always following evidence-based principles and current clinical recommendations.

Her professional background includes several years of experience working in community pharmacy in Spain, providing her with extensive knowledge of medications, treatment options, and therapeutic alternatives available on the Spanish market, as well as experience in selecting international pharmaceutical products when clinically appropriate.

Her online consultations are designed to provide clear, personalized, and patient-centered medical care, helping individuals better understand their health, make informed treatment decisions, and achieve sustainable long-term wellbeing.

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€96

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