Cracked Lips: Causes

What causes cracked lips?

Cracked lips are usually a mild symptom that occurs as a result of environmental factors, personal habits such as licking your lips, or conditions such as mild dehydration and the common cold. Cracked lips are rarely a sign of a severe condition.

Environmental causes of cracked lips

Cracked lips may be caused by environmental conditions including:

• Cold weather

• Dry weather

• Indoor heating

• Sun damage

• Wind exposure

Other common causes of cracked lips

Cracked lips may also be caused by:

• Allergic reaction to lip products such as lipstick or lip balm

• Breathing through the mouth

• Canker sores

• Cold sores (herpes simplex virus infections)

• Common cold (viral respiratory infection)

• Mild dehydration

• Repeated licking of the lips

• Vitamin deficiency

Serious or life-threatening causes of cracked lips

Rarely, cracked lips may be a symptom of severe dehydration (loss of body fluids and electrolytes). Severe dehydration is a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting.

Questions for diagnosing the cause of cracked lips

To diagnose your condition, your doctor or licensed health care practitioner will ask you several questions related to your cracked lips including:

• How long have you experienced cracked lips?

• Do your cracked lips worsen when you use certain lip products, such as lipstick?

• Are you experiencing any other symptoms along with your cracked lips?

• Are your cracked lips becoming worse or more frequent?

What are the potential complications of cracked lips?

Cracked lips are generally harmless and do not produce long-term complications. Damage to the lips from irritation may predispose you to the development of secondary bacterial or fungal infections. Rarely, cracked lips may be a sign of a serious condition such as dehydration. In this case, failure to seek treatment can result in serious complications and permanent damage. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, it is important for you to follow the treatment plan that you and your health care professional design specifically for you to reduce the risk of potential complications.

Although these complications are rare with cracked lips, left untreated, severe dehydration can lead to serious consequences including:

• Acute renal (kidney) failure

• Bacterial infections

• Electrolyte imbalance

• Fungal infections