If you have chapped lips that don’t seem to heal with lip balms or ointments, consult a healthcare professional to determine whether you have any deficiencies. More often, many people end up with dry, cracked skin due to the deficiency of certain B vitamins. In addition to particular nutrient deficiencies, chapped lips may be caused by several other environmental and health conditions. You can get niacin in your diet by eating beef, pork, halibut, tuna, poultry, cereal grains, milk, and green leafy vegetables. Chapped lips are a common symptom of deficiencies, especially in folate (vitamin B9), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and vitamins B6 and B12 (11, 12, 13, 14). B vitamins are a group of eight water-soluble vitamins involved in energy production and cell function. Chapped lips can be caused by frequent licking of lips, cold dry weather and dehydration. “Cholesterol medications are notorious for affecting oil production,” says Dr. … For example, add red meat, dried beans, dark leafy greens for … Aloe vera has skin-healing properties that may extend to chapped lips. Marty also has self-published the novel “Free-Roamers: Mourning Grove." Your diet should provide 10 to 25 milligrams of zinc each day. The UMMC lists 10,000 international units as the upper safe limit for vitamin A . The exact amount of vitamin B your child needs depends on their weight and age. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Another likely risk for peeling lips is a deficiency symptom. Vitamin B deficiency can contribute to chapped lips. It can occur due to certain fungal or bacterial infections, or when saliva becomes trapped on the sides of your lips (14). Not getting of enough vitamin B2 and zinc is also problematic. This is probably down to vitamin B2's essential role in regenerating our main antioxidant enzyme – glutathione – making lips more vulnerable to environmental free radical damage. Chapped lips are dry lips, so you want to stay hydrated. In most cases, applying lip balm throughout the day is the easiest way to treat dry, chapped lips. Vitamin B2 deficiency as a cause of dry lips. Dehydration; Not drinking of enough water is one of the most common reasons for the cracked corners of mouth and dry, chapped lips. In fact, a deficiency in zinc may impair skin health, digestion, immune function, reproductive health, and growth and development (6). 2016;35(6):1236-1241. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2016.05.002, Wacker M, Holick MF. Good sources of B-vitamins include eggs, leafy greens, beans, nuts, meats and fish. Insufficient amounts of vitamins B6 and B12 can cause the most severe deficiency-related oral side effects. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, most people get enough vitamin A from their diets 1. It can also cause chapped lips, as well as dryness, irritation, and inflammation on the sides of your mouth (7). They can be caused by several factors, including the weather, licking your lips too much, and even taking certain…. Updated May 28, 2019. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorder. If your lips look like you just came back from a filler appointment, this may be … Foods high in vitamin A include dark-green leafy vegetables and yellow-orange fruits and vegetables, beef, calf and poultry liver, eggs and dairy products. Food sources of B-6 include meats, whole grains, legumes and green leafy vegetables. Vitamin B Test. Deficiencies That Cause Dry Lips B vitamins are the main culprit when it comes to chapped lips, but any nutrient deficiency causing dry skin can be problematic. I recently had what I thought was a case of severe chapped lips that extended to the corners of my mouth, where small, painful cracks developed. Lip Licking. Vitamin B-6 Vitamins. Last medically reviewed on April 14, 2020, Chapped lips are a common condition. Vitamin B-2, also called riboflavin, is a B-complex vitamin that is needed for healthy hair, nails and skin, including your lips. I use and recommend a high quality vitamin B complex for women especially if you have Hashimoto’s, adrenal fatigue, hormone imbalance and/or the MTHFR gene SNP. However, taking supplements increases the risk of toxicity. Here are 7 incredibly common nutrient deficiencies. Vitamin B includes thiamine, niacin, biotin, folic acid, and riboflavin. This is caused by vitamin deficiencies such as iron, zinc or riboflavin (B-2), which leave the body ripe for infection. However, environmental factors and other health conditions may also play a … I believe this may have been be due to riboflavin (vitamin B2) deficiency however. Chapped Lips Vitamin Deficiency Treatment. Vitamin deficiency sign: Chapped lips 'Lack of vitamin B2 is more likely linked to painful cracking at the corners of the mouth and chapped lips. So how can you prevent dryness in the first place? Reviewed February 2, 2019. As a result, they can easily crack and split under certain conditions. 1.5 milligrams of thiamin (vitamin B1) 1.7 milligrams of riboflavin (vitamin B2) 20 milligrams of niacin (vitamin B3) 10 milligrams of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) 2 milligrams of vitamin B6. Vitamin deficiencies (e.g., B1, B2, and B3) Mouth breathing. Lack of some vitamins, particularly B vitamins, may cause chapped lips. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data. Deficiency of vitamin B-2 may result in mouth or lip sores, according to the National Institutes of Health 24. Other considerable vitamin deficiencies include vitamins A and C. Symptoms that indicate vitamin deficiency widely vary with a … Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. In North America, riboflavin is added to the flour used to make cereals and bakery goods. Peeling lips can also be a sign of anemia, STDs, vitamin deficiency, or allergies. Vitamin A Deficiency This vitamin is linked to dry skin and lips when consumed in excess. The condition can last for days to years. Your lips, which have extremely sensitive skin, depend on vitamins to keep them healthy and prevent them from drying and chapping. lips suddenly became dry, tight (at corners)& very chapped. Good sources of riboflavin include: Male adults require 1.3 milligrams of riboflavin and female adults require 1.0 milligrams, according to the National Institutes of Health 24. Sunburn. Zinc oxide. Drooling while sleeping. Chapped Lips and Toothpaste. lip. What Causes Chapped Lips and How to Treat Them, 7 Nutrient Deficiencies That Are Incredibly Common, How to Use Coconut Oil for Chapped, Dry Lips, What You Need to Know About Angular Cheilitis, What Licking Your Lips Does, Plus How to Stop, 9 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B6 Deficiency. Vitamin Deficiency: The deficiency of vitamin in the body may also cause itchy lips. // Leaf Group Lifestyle, U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Appendix F: Calculate the Percent Daily Value for the Appropriate Nutrients, National Institutes of Health: Riboflavin, National Institutes of Health: Zinc Deficiency, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Niacin (Vitamin B3), University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin A (Retinol). Copyright © 2021 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. While outdoors, apply the lip balm every 2 hours. Cracked lips vitamin deficiency can be curbed by eating vitamin rich food. Angular cheilitis is a type of cheilitis (inflammation of the lips).. Angular cheilitis can be caused by infection, irritation, or allergies. Vitamin B1 deficiency also causes cracked lips, while a deficiency in vitamin B2, vitamin B3 or vitamin B12 can cause ulcers and gingivitis. Perleche, or angular cheilitis, can cause chapping and cracking in the corners of the lips, with an underlying fungal or bacterial infection. Certain lip shapes (lips that turn downward on the corners) People who have dentures. Malabsorption. U.S. National Library of Medicine. B-Complex Vitamins Vitamin B is crucial to the proper nutrition of all parts of your body, including … The UMMC lists 10,000 international units as the upper safe limit for vitamin A. Angular cheilitis (AC) is inflammation of one or both corners of the mouth. 300 micrograms of biotin (vitamin B7) 400 micrograms of folate (vitamin … To protect dry, chapped lips from the sun, use lip balm that contains offers SPF 30 or higher and one (or both) of these sun-protective ingredients: Titanium oxide. Vici G, Belli L, Biondi M, Polzonetti V. Gluten free diet and nutrient deficiencies: A review. Niacin, or vitamin B-3, is another B-complex vitamin needed for healthy skin 5. The phase IV clinical study analyzes which people take Vitamin d and have Chapped lips. Deficiencies in multiple nutrients, including iron, zinc, and B vitamins, can cause chapped lips. Applying Topical Agents Apply an oil-based product to your toddler’s lips. Chapped lips may also be an early sign of thyroid problems, along with dry skin, weakness, and changes in weight (20, 21). However, deficiencies of some vitamins may even make them crack. Dry and cracked lips is a symptom of a vitamin B deficiency. More often, many people end up with dry, cracked skin due to the deficiency of certain B vitamins. MedlinePlus. Foods containing zinc include: This vitamin is linked to dry skin and lips when consumed in excess. Talk to a Dr. Berg Keto Consultant today and get the help you need on your journey. Angular cheilitis is another condition that causes inflammation, irritation, and dryness in the corners of your mouth. Certain medications. Alas, the relief of licking your lips is short lived. Chapped lips is found among people who take Vitamin d, especially for people who are female, 60+ old. I had a severe B12 deficiency and had cracks on either side of my mouth. Vitamin deficiencies such as low levels of iron, zinc, and B vitamins may lead to cracks at the corners of your mouth and dry lips. Deficiencies in various vitamins and minerals may contribute to chapped lips. For some people, making simple dietary modifications and eating more foods rich in iron, zinc, or B vitamins may be sufficient. The key to stopping constant lip licking is to keep your lips protected and moisturized so you don’t feel the need to moisten them. Of these symptoms, chapped lips are usually the first sign of a potential riboflavin deficiency. Chapped lips may indicate other serious health conditions as well. I use and recommend a high quality vitamin B complex for women especially if you have Hashimoto’s, adrenal fatigue, hormone imbalance and/or the MTHFR gene SNP. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This is caused by vitamin deficiencies such as iron, zinc or riboflavin (B-2), which leave the body ripe for infection. The UMMC lists 10,000 international units as the upper safe limit for vitamin A. Other considerable vitamin deficiencies include vitamins A and C. Symptoms that indicate vitamin deficiency widely vary with a … Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy. However, others may require a multivitamin or supplement to meet their needs. Chapped lips may be caused by: Wind and cold weather; Frequent licking and biting of lips; Vitamin B2 deficiency; There are also a few other causes, such as toothpaste or certain foods and drinks, that can facilitate the formation of chapped lips.