Have you ever experienced chapped lips or the corners of your mouth becoming raw and painful? It could be due to the fact that you are scraping your lips on the edges.

This can be a result of various factors from dryness to certain medical conditions, hygiene, and even lifestyle. In this article, we will delve further into why lips get scraped on the edges and how to prevent it from happening.

What Causes Lip Scraping?

There are different factors that can cause scraping of the lips on the edges. Below are some of them:.

Dryness

When lips are deprived of moisture, they tend to dry out and become chapped. The dryness causes cracking and peeling of the skin, which can in turn lead to scraping at the edges.

The lips don’t have sweat glands like the rest of the body; hence, they are quickly affected by the weather and other environmental conditions that can cause dryness. This can be characterized by a stinging sensation, flaking, and splitting of the skin. Dehydration can also cause dry and cracked lips.

Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions can result in lip scraping. Angular Cheilitis is a fungal or bacterial infection that affects the corners of the mouth. It can cause redness, cracking, and peeling of the skin.

Herpes simplex virus can also lead to lip sores and cause the skin to peel. Eczema and psoriasis are medical conditions that can affect the skin, including the lips, causing dryness and irritation.

Hygiene

If you don’t take proper care of your lips, you may end up scraping them on the edges. For instance, licking your lips excessively or picking at dry skin with your fingers can result in scrapes.

This is because saliva dries on the skin, dehydrating it and making it susceptible to cracking and irritation. Additionally, touching your face with dirty hands or using shared lip balm that hasn’t been cleaned can contribute to infections and irritation.

Lifestyle Factors

Some lifestyle behaviors can result in lip scraping. For example, smoking can cause skin damage, including dryness, peeling, and chapping of the lips.

Playing musical instruments like the flute, clarinet, or saxophone can also cause the lips’ edges to scrap due to repeated pressure and friction of the mouthpiece.

How to Prevent Lip Scraping

To prevent lip scraping on the edges, you should take the following actions:.

Stay Hydrated

To keep your lips moisturized and prevent dryness, you should drink plenty of water (at least eight glasses per day). You can also use lip balm or petroleum jelly to moisturize your lips.

Maintain Good Hygiene

Keep your hands clean and avoid touching your face with dirty hands. Also, sanitize your lip balms or use your own to prevent bacterial contamination and illnesses like cold sores.

Avoid Licking Your Lips

It may be tempting to wet your lips when they become dry, but licking them will only worsen the condition. Saliva dries out your lips and creates a cycle of dryness and irritation that can lead to peeling and chapping.

Treat Medical Conditions

If you have any medical conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or angular cheilitis, seek medical attention to get proper treatment. Also, apply some lip balm or petroleum jelly to reduce irritation and moisturize your lips.

Use a Lip Balm with SPF

UV rays can cause damage to your skin, including your lips. Therefore, it is wise to use a lip balm with SPF to prevent sun damage and keep your lips moisturized.

The Bottom Line

Scraping of the lips on the edges may seem like a minor issue, but it can cause discomfort and even pain.

It’s important to take preventive measures like keeping your lips moisturized, maintaining proper hygiene, and seeking medical attention in case of any underlying conditions. By following these simple tips, you can prevent lip scraping and maintain healthy, beautiful lips.