Chapped lips are inflamed, scaly, and cracked. The border of the lips is often obscured by the inflammation, as on the upper lip here. Chapped lips (cheilitis) are lips that are inflamed, scaly, and cracked. Chapped lips may be due to an allergy, irritation, or excessive dryness. Cheilitis (inflammation of the lips) can cause scaling and severe cracking or fissuring of the lips, as displayed in this image. This image displays dryness and inflammation typical of cheilitis. This image displays lips that are inflamed, scaly, and cracked due to cheilitis, which can be due to allergy, irritation, or excessive dryness.
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Chapped Lips (Cheilitis)  Information for adults

Picture of Chapped Lips (Cheilitis): Chapped lips are inflamed, scaly, and cracked. The border of the lips is often obscured by the inflammation, as on the upper lip here. Divider line
Chapped lips are inflamed, scaly, and cracked. The border of the lips is often obscured by the inflammation, as on the upper lip here.
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Overview
Chapped lips (cheilitis) are lips that appear dry, scaly, and may have one or more small cracks (fissures). Often, the lips are sensitive, and there may or may not be redness (erythema) and swelling (edema) present. Retinoids (isotretinoin and acitretin) are the most frequent drug-induced causes for chapped lips. Other drugs reported to have induced chapped lips include:
  • High doses of vitamin A
  • Lithium
  • Chemotherapeutic agents (busulfan and actinomycin)
  • D-penicillamine
  • Isoniazid
  • Phenothiazine
Other possible causes of chapped lips include high fevers as well as environmental conditions, such as cold weather, dehydration, and certain vitamin deficiencies.
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Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008
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