Winter is here! The months October to February spell varying degrees of drop in temperatures and in humidity.

Dry skin tops the list of winter woes and within it, the most annoying occurrence for most of us is chapped lips.

Dry, cracked or sore lips can interfere with day-to-day living such as talking, eating, smiling and kissing.

*Lips chap due to a variety of reasons. These include:

*Exposure to wind, sun, and cold, dry air

*Obstructed breathing, as in allergic rhinitis.

*Contact dermatitis due to irritants or allergens in cosmetics or skin-care products

*Certain medications, such as those used to treat acne.

*Dehydration

To treat or prevent chapped lips, consider these tips: 

*Use an oil-based lubricating cream.

*Apply lip cream, balm or lipstick before going out in cold, dry weather. Re-apply several times while outside.

*Choose a lip cream or balm that contains sunscreen. Sun exposure contributes to chapped lips.

*Avoid licking your lips. Saliva evaporates quickly, leaving lips drier than before you licked them.

*Avoid using a flavoured lip balm, which can tempt you to lick your lips.

*Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Dehydration can contribute to chapped lips.

*Use a humidifier at home to keep air moist.

Dry lips are an indication of lack of water intake. So first things first. You must make it a habit to drink a minimum of one and half litre of water every day. If you dislike the taste of water, you could dilute a little lemon and honey to add flavour to your water or just dice slices of lemon and add few leaves of mint and add them to a jug of water. The flavoured water will boost your water intake. Usage of a regular medicated lip protectant with sunscreen (SPF 15) prevents chapped lips.

Courtesy: Elder Healthcare