Why chapped lips when sick

Similarly, your skin is already dry during the winter season, and you are at an increased risk of becoming dehydrated if you catch a cold as well. Cold symptoms, like nasal congestion can make you breathe through your mouth, which can also cause chapped, flaked lips.

In short, dehydration is the reason why your lips get chapped when you're sick. Why do lips get chapped when you're sick? You already know the answer, but you may be wondering if your chapped, flaked lips indicate something serious as well. As mentioned already, dehydration can make your lips to lose moisture, which in turn will lead to dry, chapped lips.

However, your dry lips may sometimes indicate a more serious problem, especially when you have other symptoms as well. For instance, you are likely to have Kawasaki disease if you have dry lips along with symptoms like a fever, swollen lymph nodes, red eyes, red skin on your feet and hands, and red tongue.

It commonly affects young children and may lead to heart problems as well. Your cracked lips may also indicate a deficiency of B-vitamins. It could be the result of a folic acid deficiency.

Similarly, you may develop chapped lips when you are deficient in riboflavin. You may develop a vitamin deficiency when you are old or have alcohol dependence. Your chapped lips could also be the result of an allergy. You have swollen lips when you develop an allergic reaction. That swelling can cause the skin of your lips to peel and crack. You may be allergic to any substance — some people are allergic to a specific food, while others are allergic to dust.

Wearing a lipstick can also trigger an allergic reaction and leave you with chapped lips. You should consider talking to your doctor if you have chapped lips along with other symptoms. New York: Mosby, Freedberg, Irwin M. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. New York: McGraw-Hill, Use of this site constitutes acceptance of Skinsight's terms of service and privacy policy. The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Close Video. Try using a new, clean toothbrush to exfoliate, and finish off with a swipe of nourishing lip balm.

The cause: The rest of your lips are fairly smooth, but the inner corners are red and irritated. The treatment: Cracks in the corners of your mouth can be linked to some nutritional deficiencies, including anemia.

Green, leafy veggies like kale and spinach are rich in iron, and supplements can fill in the gaps. Check with your doctor if you think you're missing some nutrients.