This image displays scaling and thickening of the lips 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. This image displays irritant dermatitis due to "lip licking." This image displays red, swollen, cracked lips and irritation of the mouth corners typical of cheilitis, due to repeatedly licking the lips.
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Chapped Lips (Cheilitis)  Teen information

Picture of Chapped Lips (Cheilitis): This image displays scaling and thickening of the lips typical of cheilitis. Divider line
This image displays scaling and thickening of the lips typical of cheilitis.
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Overview
Cheilitis is the medical term for chapped lips, where the lips themselves and the skin
around the lips become red, sensitive, scaly, and sometimes swollen. Chapped lips sometimes look like a pink rash around the mouth. The most common cause of chapped lips is lip-licking, but some medications can also cause this condition. In teens, the creams used to treat acne, such as retinoids and benzoyl peroxide, can cause chapped lips.

Some people are more susceptible to chapped lips in cold or dry weather. Being dehydrated or sick in general can make this condition worse.

Chapped lips are not contagious.
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Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008
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