Core Tip: Recently, the weather in Guangzhou has been quite dry. Coupled with people's love for "heaty" foods, symptoms of "internal heat" may appear, leading to inflammation such as eczema on the lips. According to the statistics from the Dermatology Department of the Armed Police Hospital, over 500 patients with "internal heat" on their face or lips were seen in the past week. What's going on? How can you get your lips back to normal?
Recently, the temperature has dropped significantly, with large differences between day and night. The cold and dry weather often leads people to consume large amounts of spicy and "heaty" foods. Many people develop red patches on their nose wings and lips. At first glance, it might seem like eczema, but upon closer inspection, it's found to be a type of cheilitis caused by diet. This inflammation is often caused by continuous stimulation from dryness and cold, and is also related to bad habits like licking or biting the lips. When the air is dry, people unconsciously lick their lips. This only keeps the lip skin temporarily moist, but the moisture evaporates quickly, and the amylase in the saliva left behind can make the lips drier. This creates a vicious cycle of the more you lick, the drier it gets, and the drier it gets, the more you lick. In severe cases, pigmentation can appear on the skin at the corners of the mouth, and frequent licking can also introduce bacteria from saliva into cracks, causing infection.
In this regard, Professor Wu Weibin from the Dermatology Department of the Armed Police Hospital pointed out: Do not lick dry, chapped lips; you should use moisturizing lip balms correctly. The lip balms on the market today are五花八门 (a dazzling array), making it hard to choose. In fact, you just need to choose one that contains basic moisturizing ingredients like glycerin. For a better option, you can choose a lip balm containing Vitamin E. It is recommended to choose colorless lip balms with as few irritating ingredients as possible. The frequency of use should not be too high; generally, 1-3 times a day is sufficient. It's best to apply it before going out, before applying lipstick, and before bedtime. For those with extremely dry lips, you can apply lip balm immediately after eating or drinking. After applying, gently press your lips with a soft tissue paper to double the effect.
Diet should be reasonable: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and try to keep your diet light, eating more fruits and vegetables. Foods like soybean sprouts, rapeseed, cabbage, and white radish are high in B vitamins. Consuming abundant vitamins can moisturize the skin and effectively prevent chapped lips. You should also avoid spicy foods and prolonged exposure to wind and sun. In addition to not licking your lips, you should also avoid spicy foods like Sichuan peppercorns, chili peppers, and ginger. Furthermore, eat fewer nuts like sunflower seeds, roasted cashews, and hickory nuts to avoid irritating the lips. The winter wind is quite dry, so when you are outside, try to avoid irritation from wind and sun, and you can wear a mask for protection.
It should be reminded that when dry flakes appear on the lips, do not peel them off with your hands. You can use small scissors to cut them off to avoid tearing the lip skin. The correct method is to apply a warm compress to the lips for 3-5 minutes, then gently brush off the dead skin with a soft brush, and finally apply lip balm. Additionally, Professor Wu Weibin from the Dermatology Department of the Armed Police Hospital suggests that people who always have dry lips should avoid wearing lipstick. If the symptoms of chapped and cracked lips do not heal for a long time, you should seek medical attention promptly.