It’s not only about your teeth when it comes to oral health. Lips are frequently overlooked, which is a bad thing, especially during the summer months when the weather is warm. The skin on your lips is thinner and has less melanin than the skin on the rest of your body, which means it is less able to defend itself from damaging UV damage and so requires special attention.
The signs and symptoms of burnt lips:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Lips that are chapped or cracked
- Discomfort or discomfort (from moderate to severe)
- Blisters caused by the sun
- Bleeding
- In certain cases, dark stains on the lips may emerge as the healing process begins.
- The skin begins to peel away.
Systemic symptoms might manifest themselves as a result of extended exposure to the sun, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- a widespread feeling of gloom and doom
- Chills
- Fever.
Frequently asked concerns regarding protecting your lips from the sun include:
Much SPF do my lips need
Many sun-protective lip balms claim SPF 15 or higher. According to the American Cancer Society, SPF 15 blocks roughly 93 percent of UVB rays whereas SPF 30 blocks around 97 percent. If you’ll be in the sun, such as at the beach or pool, go for the higher SPF.
Sun protection required
Lips are as sensitive to UV damage as the rest of your body, making them prone to skin cancer. Lip sunscreen that blocks dangerous UVB rays protects against this commonly ignored malignancy as well as sunburns.
Don’t bite, brush, or massage flaky or peeling lips.
You may also want to get rid of the bumpy feeling that flaking and peeling produce, as it is bothersome when your lips are normally smooth. But resist the desire.
Dr. Piliang advises against scrubbing your lips or picking at the peeling skin with your teeth or fingers. “Which only causes more cracks and ulcers on your lips. Instead, use a strong ointment-based balm to soothe and repair your lips.”
Avoid peak sun hours.
The sun is at its most destructive to the skin between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., so plan your outside activities for before or after these hours.
Take a painkiller.
Take over-the-counter pain medicine such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) as soon as possible after being exposed to the sun to alleviate the discomfort. Some pain medications come in the form of gels that you apply to the skin.
Apply a moisturizer
A soothing lotion or gel with aloe vera or calamine may be beneficial.
Take an anti-itch medication
The use of an oral antihistamine such as diphenhydramine may be beneficial in relieving itching while the skin begins to peel away and heal under the surface.
Don’t break intact blisters.
A blister that has broken should be cleaned with gentle soap and water. The wound should then be treated with an antibiotic ointment, which should then be covered with a nonstick bandage.
Risks and complications
Skin cancer is the most frequent cancer in America (U.S.). It affects one in every five Americans. Sunlight is the main cause of skin cancer.
Two of the most common non-melanoma skin malignancies occur on the lips. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Lip cancer accounts for 0.6% of all cancers in the US.
BCC and SCC are more common among fair-skinned males over 50. Men are three to thirteen times more likely than women to acquire lip cancer. They may be more prone to work outside.
A person prone to cold sores may get an outbreak if their lips are burnt, thus good sun protection is advised.
Preventing chapped lips
Adding lip protection to your morning, night, and outdoor routines is the way to go. “Buy two balm or ointment sticks and keep one beside your bed and one in your suitcase or car,” advises Dr. Piliang. Consider using a humidifier at night if your heater is drying out the air.
Apply lip balm every night before sleeping. Many individuals sleep open-mouthed. Dr. Piliang thinks lip balm might assist a lot if you breathe through your mouth for eight hours.