Burning lips are a common symptom of various ailments. They occur frequently and also develop into a chronic condition in some people. Burning lips usually have a harmless cause.
What are burning lips?
Those who have only minor problems with burning lips do very well with a conventional lip balm. If burning lips are spoken of, usually an unpleasant sensation of the lips is meant, which consists mainly of pain. These often intensify when the lips are tense or when speaking. They also usually intensify when the lips are irritated, such as by cold or hot foods. The pain may be pulling, itching, or otherwise painful. In most cases, burning lips are also accompanied by redness of the affected area. Often, the corners of the mouth are particularly hard hit by the pain, as they are especially susceptible to further injury and strain. Burning lips are possible mainly because the skin of the lips – compared to other skin – is very unprotected. It has only sebaceous glands and therefore cannot retain a greasy film. In the light skin type, it also has no to few pigment cells and generally no sweat glands, which makes it more permeable. The sensitivity is supplemented by a large number of nerve endings and blood vessels, so that the lips are rightly considered a very sensitive organ. The sensitivity and the lack of defense capability of the lips are reinforced by the fact that the skin layer here is only about five cells thick – in contrast to the usual 16 cells. Accordingly, lips are thin-skinned in the truest sense of the word. Burning lips are often an indicator of a harsh environment or a lack of a certain substance. Mostly they find their origin in a not optimal supply of the lips or by the external influences. Burning lips occur frequently, especially in winter, and are usually not a serious symptom. Mostly they are a temporary phenomenon, but they can also be present as a chronic symptom. If the burning lips are a permanent problem, they are a serious problem for the sufferer.
Causes
The causes of burning lips are very different. Basically, a distinction can be made here between physical causes, nutrient deficiency as a cause and diseases as a cause. Under the physical causes fall, for example, dry air and cold. Both make the lips brittle and can roughen them. Small cracks develop that begin to burn. Very warm and dry air, smoke, dust and other air pollutants also have a similar effect. Frequent breathing through the mouth – for example, as a result of a blocked nose or due to snoring – can also be the cause of burning lips. Basically, any dry draught of air through the mouth also increases the dryness of the lips. Usually these are moistened by the person himself – with the tongue. This can also be omitted for any reasons. Other physical causes consist of injuries – for example, bites or scratches on the lip – and dehydration resulting from the consumption of alcoholic beverages. The latter occurs primarily with the consumption of spirits. Deficiency symptoms also often lead to burning lips. Most often, it is dehydration of the entire body that leads to this. The lips are affected particularly quickly in this case because they have no protective film whatsoever and have little ability to moisturize themselves. Much of the moistening of the lips is accomplished through saliva and the mucous membranes in the corners of the mouth, which is more difficult in the case of dehydration. Other deficiencies that can lead to burning and red lips include iron deficiency and vitamin deficiency, for example. Diseases that directly or indirectly lead to burning lips are also many. These include, for example, all skin diseases insofar as they affect the lips, such as neurodermatitis, skin fungi, eczema and so on. Often, cold sores are also responsible for burning lips. A few other diseases can also cause burning lips due to their effects on metabolism. For instance, dry and burning lips can occur due to diabetes or AIDS. Allergies can trigger burning lips. This occurs either due to contact allergy or due to a general allergic reaction.The closer the allergen gets to the lips, the more likely burning lips will also be a symptom of an allergic reaction.
Diseases with this symptom
- Iron deficiency
- Dehydration
- Labial herpes
- Contact allergy
- Insect venom allergy
- Aphthae
Complications
The complications are considered to occur rarely. Burning lips themselves carry almost no risk of complications if their causes are lack of hydration or a poor climate. In principle, temporarily chapped and burning lips can therefore be dismissed as harmless if they are better cared for and protected. However, the increased vulnerability of burning lips always means a certain risk of secondary infections or deeper tears in the skin. Occasionally, small wounds will form. If these are deepened by pulling off dry skin or by unconscious bites, unpleasant bleeding sometimes occurs. Bacterial pathogens and fungi in particular also nest in wounds and fissures of the lips that remain open for a long time. Severe infections can occur, which can also spread to the mouth or face. Involvement of the corners of the mouth (torn mouth corners) further increases this risk. Under certain circumstances – starting from torn and burning lips – the symptomatology of torn and rotting corners of the mouth may develop. Chronically burning and dry lips are also a greater risk factor than occasionally burning lips. The other complications of burning lips depend on possible underlying diseases.
When should you see a doctor?
Burning lips, insofar as they occur acutely, are not yet a reason to see a doctor. If the lips are cared for and kept away from dry air and so on, the affected person can usually let them heal. If, on the other hand, the burning lips are unexplained and cause pain for a long time, a doctor should be consulted. The first course of action may take the affected person to the family doctor. Further examinations may be performed by a dermatologist. The same applies in the case where inflammation, open wounds, discoloration or other abnormalities appear on the lips. Thus, anything beyond a temporary redness and slight pain should be clarified by a doctor in the best case.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of burning lips is made by means of observation and by taking a medical history. It is tried in this framework to determine the causes of dry lips. In addition, in some cases it may be necessary to take swabs of any pathogens that may be present. If the causes cannot be identified directly (and general treatment does not work), a more intensive physical examination will follow. This is usually the case when disease or malnutrition is suspected as the cause of burning lips. Again, medical history discussions and, if necessary, a blood test will help.
Treatment and therapy
The treatment of burning lips is cause-oriented, i.e., aims to treat an underlying disease. If this is not possible, or if the burning lips have physical causes, they are treated classically. If necessary, the wound is disinfected and dressed. In most cases, other treatment consists of drinking sufficient amounts of fluid and using lipid-replenishing ointments or creams. If necessary, wound-healing creams should be used.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis for burning lips can be considered very good. This is always true if the causes are temporary and there have been no complications. No secondary damage is to be expected; however, wound healing in the case of lips takes different lengths of time. However, burning lips can always occur because the causes are so diverse. Since the most common cause of burning lips is dry lips, proper care and adequate drinking can be expected to heal within three days. If it is very dry and cold, this may take longer. The prognosis for chronically burning lips may be different. If the lip tissue is severely damaged, it can sometimes take weeks to heal. This depends on the behavior of the affected person, his diet and the weather. In principle, however, almost all cases of burning lips can be treated well.
Prevention
There are a variety of ways to prevent dry lips. These include, first and foremost, drinking enough fluids and paying attention to possible injuries. Itching on the lips should never tempt you to scratch. Bites on the lip should also be avoided. Particularly in winter, the drying out of rooms due to heating air should be avoided. A humidifier or occasional airing – despite the cold – maintain a more lip-friendly room climate. Various care products that are in circulation for lips should only be used sparingly. Although some people’s lips require artificial lubrication, this should never be applied thickly and also only in the case of an actual feeling of dryness. Natural fats – such as milking fat or olive oil – are preferable to perfumed and chemically processed care products. Overall, it is advisable to keep sensitive lips away from anything irritating, i.e. cold and hot food and drinks, spicy food and so on. Eating behavior does not have to be changed for this purpose. Instead, it is enough to bring food past the lips into the mouth. However, compulsive use of Vaseline to prevent chapped and burning lips is not advisable: The effect of prolonged use is rather the opposite. In addition, it is true that kissing strengthens the immune system and is therefore also suspected of strengthening the lips.
What you can do yourself
Who suffers from burning lips, has a wide range of options to help yourself. As home remedies, for example, honey and mixtures of sugar and olive oil have proven themselves. Both soothe the lips, protect them and maintain moisture. Healing processes can thus be accelerated. Sufficient drinking amounts support the healing process. In case of pain due to the lips, numbing lozenges (similar to those used for sore throat) can also be used. However, attempts should not be made to directly numb the pain on the lips, as most recommended remedies are irritating. Instead, care should be taken to minimize contact of the lips with objects or food. Licking with the tongue should also be avoided.
