Your Lips
The occurrence of dry lips can be either persistent or come and go every once in a while. Besides the weather, your glucose level can affect your lip health depending on when and how much your glucose levels rises. If it is always at high ends, then it may lead to persistent dry lips.
Cheilitis, also known as “chapped” lips, is an inflammation of the lips that results in redness, dryness, scaling, swelling, and itching. Angular cheilitis is when the corners, or “angles,” of the mouth become inflamed, leading to dryness and cracking.
You can avoid dry, painful lips by following these steps:
Watch the products you use
Use a non-irritating lip balm. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends avoiding lip balms or lipsticks that contain camphor, eucalyptus, cinnamon, peppermint, menthol, or lanolin. Instead, look for products that contain shea butter, petroleum jelly, mineral oil, ceramides, castor seed oil, hemp seed oil, or titanium or zinc oxide. Ointments can be more moisturizing than products that contain waxes. Use a lip product that contains sunscreen when you’re outside.
Use your lip balm several times a day (more often if you’re outdoors) and before you go to bed.
Stay Hydrated
Make sure to drink plenty of water or non-caloric drinks. Use a humidifier when you’re sleeping.
Break bad habits
Avoid licking your lips, since saliva can be drying. Biting or picking at your lips is irritating and can slow healing.
Be on the lookout
If your lips aren’t healing or if you notice bumps or thickening of your lips, see your health care provider for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Pay attention to your glucose levels and focus on getting and keeping them as close to your target as possible because poorly managed glucose levels can dry out your lips.
Your Face and Body
Moisturize after washing your face with a moisturizer containing sunscreen, both morning and evening. Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean the sun won’t still damage your skin. Experts recommend diabetics use fragrance free skin products (for instance Dove soap instead of Irish Spring) because unscented products dry your skin less. Avoid hot showers and over-bathing. Frequent bathing may feel good, but it dries out the skin more. Don’t scrub too hard and blot yourself dry. Apply moisturizing lotion to your damp skin after bathing. When it comes to creams and moisturizers, make sure you use one with dimethicone to lock moisture in, ceramide fats to help restore the barrier function of skin, and humectants to draw moisture up into the skin from lower tissue levels.
There’s nothing wrong with using diabetes-branded skin products, but they aren’t necessary. Diabetes branded products aren’t superior. Over-the-counter products are just as effective. For diabetics, dry skin isn’t just a winter issue and people with diabetes need to be proactive year-round to take care of their skin. Diabetics should consider using a humidifier in their homes during the winter months to add some moisture back into the air while the heat is on.
Your Hands
Keeping your hands covered is the best way to protect them from the cold. Wear gloves or mittens when you go outside in cold weather. Also moisturize using creams rather than lotions. Keep tubes of moisturizer handy: by your bed, in the bathroom, in the kitchen, and in the car. You can also use common kitchen oils including olive oil, canola oil, and coconut oil. All such moisturizing products are pretty much the same, even the ones that say they are specifically for those with diabetes.
- Remember to take your insulin or other medications properly. Keeping your glucose levels in your target range can help keep dry skin symptoms away.
- Make sure to drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water throughout the day.
- If you are a frequent user of cigarettes or tobacco, or are a regular alcohol drinker, try to reduce the frequency of smoking and drinking or stop completely. Smoking and drinking alcohol can dry your mouth and lips.
- If you live in an area with a dry climate, consider using a humidifier in your rooms to maintain adequate moisture in the environment.
- Use moisturizing lip and skin care creams and ointments to help prevent dry chapped skin.
Hopefully, these tips will help you get through the winter with your skin in good shape.
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