Dry lips after chemotherapy

Patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy often complain of dry or chapped lips. Chemotherapy for cancer (tumor) has the purpose of inhibiting the division of all rapidly dividing cells. The fast-dividing cells also include the cells of the oral cavity and the lips.

For this reason, in most cases after chemotherapy cycles, inflammation in this area and dry lips occur. In the case of radiation therapy, it depends on the area in which the radiation is performed. In the area of the mouth, throat and palate, but also in the area of the neck and larynx, it can happen that the lips are also in the corresponding irradiation field. Depending on how often the irradiation has to be repeated or how high the radiation dose is, inflammation and dehydration of the lips may also occur.

Chronically dry lips

Most people suffer from dry lips every now and then. Cold winter air dries out the lips quickly and also the change between the rough outside air and the warm, dry heating air can be very stressful.However, if you suffer from dry lips all the time, you should consider other causes. An obvious cause of chronically dry lips can be a reduced fluid intake, so at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water or unsweetened tea should be drunk daily to replenish the body’s fluid reserves.

Psychological factors such as constant stress also contribute to the development of dry lips by reducing the production of saliva and thus preventing the lips from being kept moist. A chronic iron deficiency or a lack of vitamin B2 can also lead to permanently dry lips. Particularly frequently affected are people who have a one-sided diet, i.e. who take up little vitamins and iron, as well as vegetarians and alcoholics. Women with very heavy menstruation (menorrhagia) often suffer from a chronic iron deficiency.

Through diabetes

In diabetes, permanently high blood sugar levels in the blood lead to an infestation of the vessels and nerves. If the nerves are affected, neuropathy occurs, if the small vessels are affected, microangiopathy occurs, and if the large vessels are affected, macroangiopathy occurs. Especially micro- and macroangiopathy can lead to circulatory disorders of the skin.

Because parts of the skin are no longer sufficiently supplied with nutrients and oxygen, open, poorly healing wounds can occur. The skin of the lips can also be affected. For example, poor blood circulation of the lips can lead to rough skin and rhagades.

These rhagades heal poorly and should therefore be treated medically. On the lips, the danger of fungal infection is very high due to the proximity to the mouth. In case of this, an antimycotic therapy (fungicidal) should be started.