Cracked lips can occur more often when the weather is dry. Hydrating and using a humidifier may help. You can also get chapped lips due to other causes, such as dehydration and vitamin deficiencies.
Your chapped lips could be caused by something aside from dry weather. An allergic reaction, yeast infection, or something more serious can make your lips feel dry and uncomfortable. Actinic cheilitis is a precancerous condition that turns one or both lips dry and scaly.
Lips don’t contain oil glands like other parts of the skin. This means lips are more susceptible to drying out and becoming chapped (cracked). Lack of moisture can make the problem worse, whether it’s weather-induced or related to a lack of self-care.
Taking certain medications can also increase your risk of developing chapped lips. Medications and supplements that can cause chapped lips include:
- vitamin A
- retinoids (Retin-A, Differin)
- lithium (commonly used to treat bipolar disorder)
- chemotherapy drugs.
- Frequently licking your lips.
- Sunburn.