Iron deficiency as a cause of dry lips

Iron deficiency can be one of many causes of dry lips. If this is the cause, the dry areas are often located in the corners of the mouth. This leads to inflammation (Cheilitis angularis) and cracks (rhagades) in this area.

Probably this is due to a lack of enzymes that work dependent on iron. If these enzymes are inhibited in their function by an iron deficiency, cell division in this area no longer functions properly. Since a high rate of cell division can also be observed in the area of the lips themselves, the symptoms of disturbed cell division can become apparent here particularly quickly.

If there is an iron deficiency, there are basically four mechanisms by which this can occur. On the one hand, simply too little iron can be absorbed with food. This can often be observed in vegetarians or vegans, for example, because easily usable iron is contained mainly in meat and other animal products.

This mechanism is by far the most common. Furthermore, the body may have an increased need for iron. This is for example the case during pregnancy.

Another possibility is that the body cannot absorb the iron from food. This happens, for example, in the context of some intestinal diseases. Finally, iron deficiency can also be caused by bleeding.

These can occur externally, or internal bleeding can occur, especially from the gastrointestinal tract. The latter can often go unnoticed, especially when they are small. If dry, cracked and inflamed lips occur in the baby, the cause is usually harmless.Frequently, these are weather influences, such as cold air.

Dry lips can also occur in babies due to malnutrition. This is especially true if iron or vitamin B12 is missing. However, an underlying disease can also be hidden behind the symptom of dry lips.

For example, they can also indicate the presence of atopic eczema (neurodermatitis). If dry lips do not occur alone, but if there are other symptoms such as fever, a skin rash, or changes in the mucous membranes, the so-called Kawasaki syndrome can be the cause. This is an inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis), which is probably caused by a reaction of the child’s immune system against certain bacterial toxins.

Fortunately, this disease is rare, but can cause serious complications. It is therefore essential to consult a doctor if other symptoms besides dry lips occur. In such a case, the so-called Sjörgen syndrome can also be the cause of dry lips.

This is an autoimmune disease, i.e. a disease in which the immune system of the affected child turns against its own body. Symtoms of dry lips are roughened to cracked skin surfaces in the area of the lips, which are felt on the one hand by the patients as unpleasant to even painful. If chronic dryness occurs over several days or weeks, the lips often crack open and bleed.

Ripped, dry lips usually heal relatively difficult. It depends on where the lip is torn open. Since lips are usually subjected to high mechanical stress, the necessary protection for healing processes is missing in this area, which results in delayed wound healing or reopening.

In the case of dry lips, this is a visual diagnosis. Patients with these symptoms rarely go to the doctor. However, if the lips are dry and chapped for a long time or bleeding over a long period of time, a doctor is usually consulted.

The examination is usually limited to the diagnosis of the gaze. Depending on whether so-called rhagades (small ulcerations mainly at the corners of the mouth) are visible or whether it is just dry skin that covers the entire lips, the doctor will either suspect a vitamin deficiency (in the case of rhagades) or assume a fluid-related cause. An exact patient survey about previous infections, chemo- or radiation treatment as well as eating habits will further narrow down the cause of dry lips.

The therapy depends on the cause. In most cases, increasing the daily amount of fluid is sufficient to reduce dry lips. Depending on the symptoms, the missing vitamins should be supplied over a certain period of time and appropriate eating habits should be changed and supplemented.

The treatment of viral infections (e.g. herpes virus) is carried out with Aciclovir. In the case of purely psychogenic causes of dry lips, a change in lifestyle or e.g. autogenic training can be recommended. In case of long-term use of lip care products or lipsticks, which lead to dry lips or allergic reactions, the products should be discontinued.

In case of dry lips of unclear cause, a treatment attempt with simple Vaseline fat cream can be tried 1-2 times a day. Often an application with the numerous care products offered and advertised by the cosmetic industry is not necessary. The treatment of dry lips starts with lip care, but also takes a look at the personal environment and tries to minimize damaging factors.

Often the trigger for dry lips is too low humidity, so that it can be adjusted in the own home. Especially in winter, heating air often causes dry air. The dry air then in turn leads to dry lips for many people.

This can be reduced by dehumidifiers, a water bowl in the room or occasional ventilation of the room. The prerequisite for healthy lips is a sufficient fluid intake, because a lack of fluid causes the skin to tighten and the lips to become chapped. Therefore, depending on physical activity, one should adjust the fluid intake to one’s daily needs.

A vitamin deficiency can also be the cause of dry lips, but you should consult your doctor, who can then prescribe specific vitamin preparations.For example, during menstruation in women, iron deficiency can lead to increased occurrence of dry lips. In addition, lip care in the form of creams, ointments or lip care sticks should not be missing. Here one should do without preparations with mineral oil, since these dry the lips still further according to tests.

Lip care pencils should not be used too often, because otherwise they have exactly the opposite effect and lead again to dehydration. Helpful before the use of care products, is also a lip peeling. This can be done with a toothbrush in circular movements, for example.

By peeling old skin particles are removed and new skin appears, thus promoting healing. Furthermore, the avoidance of extreme temperatures helps. Therefore, UV protection should be applied in case of strong sunlight, even in very cold temperatures the lips are attacked and should be protected by care products.

Stress can also lead to dry lips, but autogenic training can help against this. If necessary, individual sensitivity to certain foods can also make the lips brittle and chapped. Until the healing process on the lips is complete, you should avoid these foods. Proven household remedies for local application on the lips are for example: Honey or a mixture of honey and curd cheese, furthermore olive oil, cocoa butter, calendula ointment or vaseline helps to apply on the lips and to let them absorb for a while. It is also important that the affected person should avoid moistening the lips with the tongue, as this will draw more fluid out of the lips.