Many people have the misconception that licking or moistening their lips with saliva when they are dry will make their lips feel smoother. However, this method is actually incorrect and not only does it not provide good help for the lips, it also brings more harm.
Causing Angular Cheilitis
Licking the lips with the tongue during dry winter weather can cause two problems. One is the occurrence of angular cheilitis. When the lips are licked with the tongue, saliva is left on the lips. Saliva contains various enzymes that aid in digestion, two of which are amylase and maltase. These enzymes can cause inflammation in the corners of the lips because the residue of these enzymes on the lips is equivalent to "digesting the skin."
Causing Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Another consequence of licking the lips is the more common irritant contact dermatitis, also caused by saliva. Contrary to what people imagine, licking the lips does not actually moisturize them.
When the tongue is used to lick the lips, the moisture brought about evaporates, taking away the already limited moisture in the lips, making them feel even drier. This leads to a vicious cycle of drying and licking, resulting in a condition similar to eczema on the lips. However, this "eczema" is not "wet," but rather "dry," causing the skin at the corners of the mouth to become rough and appear different in color compared to the surrounding skin.
Causing Chronic Cheilitis
Chronic cheilitis is a chronic, non-specific inflammatory condition of the lips, often caused by various long-term and continuous irritations such as dryness, coldness, and especially the bad habits of licking and biting the lips. When the tongue is used to lick the lips, due to the dry external air, the moisture brought by saliva not only evaporates quickly but also takes away the already limited moisture in the lips, resulting in a vicious cycle of drying and licking, which can even cause pigmentation in the skin at the corners of the mouth.
Formation of Scabs
In autumn, the lips are also prone to dryness and scab formation, which is also related to the bad habit of licking the lips. Since saliva contains various digestive enzymes, when saliva evaporates from the lips, these large protein molecules will remain on the lips and form scabs together with the shedding cells of the lips. Because the tissue under the scab is not intact, forcibly removing it will cause more local exudation, resulting in more scabs.
Damaging Your Image
Licking the lips not only harms the skin around the lips but is also unattractive in public places. The solution to dry and cracked lips is to regularly use lip balm, and women can use moisturizing lipsticks. Using lip balm not only prevents the moisture in the skin from evaporating but also protects your lips from the "inappropriate behavior" of saliva when you subconsciously lick your lips.
Treating Dry and Cracked Lips
1. Eat fresh vegetables such as bean sprouts, Chinese cabbage, white cabbage, and white radish to increase the intake of B vitamins.
2. Replenish an adequate amount of water in a timely manner. Sufficient water intake is of great help in maintaining the balance of bodily functions and can effectively prevent dry and cracked lips.
3. Both men and women should use lip balm to care for their lips, preferably choosing colorless lip balms with minimal irritating ingredients. People with allergies can apply sesame oil or honey to the lips with a cotton swab, which also has a good moisturizing effect.
4. Try to avoid external irritations such as wind and sun exposure, and use a mask for protection if necessary.
5. Correct bad habits such as licking and biting the lips.
