Chapped Lips vs. Cold Sores: How to Know What You're Dealing With

Chapped Lips vs. Cold Sores: How to Know What You’re Dealing With

Lips are a prominent and unique facial feature that people love to highlight, but they’re also a source of skin problems, especially during the cold, dry months when lips can easily become dry, chapped, cracked, and painful. Other lip problems include cold sores, which are caused by a virus and can be painful. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between chapped lips and cold sores, but knowing what you’re dealing with is crucial to treatment.

Below, learn how to tell the difference between cold sores and chapped lips, and how to treat both conditions, according to dermatologists.

What is chapped lips?

Chapped lips are when your lips become flaky, cracked, and inflamed. The tissue that makes up your lips is similar to a mucous membrane, like the ones in your nose and mouth, but they have an ultra-thin layer of skin. The problem is that this skin lacks the protective features of normal skin, making it very susceptible to dryness and irritation.

“Lips are very susceptible to drying out because they don’t have sebaceous glands and hair follicles, and therefore don’t have the protective layer of sebum that the rest of our normal, hairy skin has,” explains Dr. Kristina Collins, double-board certified dermatologist and founder of foy by Dr. Collins. They also have a very thin stratum corneum, or outermost layer, compared to the rest of our skin, according to Collins.

The stratum corneum is a protective layer of dead skin cells on the outer part of the epidermis that performs an important function in the skin to keep things in and out. In other words, it seals off the inside of our bodies from the outside world and prevents moisture from escaping our bodies.

“Because our lips are so sensitive, it’s hard for them to retain moisture. Because of this natural sensitivity to dryness, factors that contribute to overall dry skin, such as cold weather, low humidity, dehydration, or poor skin care, tend to affect the lips first,” Collins explains.

There are also specific causes of dry lips, Collins says, including lip licking, frequent kissing, allergic reactions or sensitivities to oral care products or foods, saliva irritation, vitamin deficiencies (including iron, zinc, or vitamin B12), chronic mouth breathing due to nasal congestion, and in severe cases, certain autoimmune diseases, such as Sjögren’s syndrome.

“In addition, sun damage, both in the direct sense of sunburn, as well as longer-term sun-related changes that can lead to actinic cheilitis, is one of the most common causes of dry lips,” Collins adds. To complicate matters further, many lip balms and lip balms used to treat dry lips actually make the problem worse due to the irritating ingredients that are often added. 1

What is a cold sore?

A cold sore is the common name for a herpes outbreak on the lips. 2 “Cold sores are most commonly caused by HSV type 1, which is inactive in most adults,” explains Collins. Less commonly, she adds, oral cold sores can be caused by HSV type 2, the herpes virus more commonly associated with genital herpes infections.

The herpes virus lives dormant in parts of the nervous system called sensory ganglia and, when reactivated, crawls along the nervous system to the skin. 2 “This reactivation process can occur randomly or can be triggered by stress, UV radiation, hormones, menstruation, or trauma to the skin,” says Collins. Chapped lips vs. cold sores

While both chapped lips and cold sores can be irritating and painful, cold sores can cause more severe pain. “Perhaps the biggest difference between chapped lips and cold sores is the paroxysmal and deep nerve pain that cold sores can cause,” explains Dr. Rachael Cayce, board-certified dermatologist and member of the Physician Formula Alliance.

While cold sores are caused by a virus, they can also be caused by the same conditions that cause chapped lips. “Dry lips can lead to cold sores, as can anything that irritates the lips, such as cold weather, excessive sun exposure, and even dental and cosmetic procedures,” Cayce adds.

One distinguishing feature is that chapped lips may flake over in large areas, and the surrounding skin may appear red but not ulcerated, Collins says. “Cold sores often recur over and over in the same area of the lip. A typical cold sore occurs on one side of the lip, along the junction between the pink part of the lip and the skin,” Collins explains. ” She adds that cold sores are painful and may cause symptoms such as pain, numbness, or tingling before an outbreak.

Treatment

One of the main differences between chapped lips and cold sores is how the two conditions are treated. While some chapped lips treatments may help relieve the side effects of cold sores, they don’t address the underlying problem. Here are some treatment options for both.

How to Treat Chapped Lips

“Treating chapped lips starts with figuring out the cause. However, if it is due to dry skin, a thick lip balm is the best treatment,” says Casey. Thick, moisturizing lip products can protect sensitive skin from dryness. If irritation occurs, Casey recommends avoiding irritants and even allergens that may be found in dental and cosmetic products. This may require trial and error on your part to determine the culprit.

But Collins emphasizes that there are many ways to combat dry lips, and lip balm is not the only option. Collins recommends the following:

Stay hydrated and nourished by drinking water and eating a balanced diet.

Lips often become dry overnight. Therefore, using a humidifier by your bed can treat nasal congestion and prevent mouth breathing.

When outdoors, apply SPF sunscreen to your lips every three hours to keep this sensitive area well cared for.

Proactively counteract your lips’ natural tendency to overdry by using skin care products that are truly hydrating and protective. Proactively moisturizing your lips is especially important during the winter months, in dry climates, or during activities that typically dry out your skin (hello, ski season!).

Avoid common triggers of irritant lip dermatitis, including lip products containing fragrance, lanolin, phenol, salicylic acid, or menthol. These balms can exacerbate irritation and lead to an endless cycle of peeling.

Treatment of Cold Sores

Dr. Collins says cold sores are best treated with prescription antiviral medications like valacyclovir. “Your doctor can give you a prescription to carry with you and take at the first sign of an outbreak. The faster you take the medication, the less likely it is that a cold sore will develop into a full-blown outbreak,” she adds. If you develop many cold sores each year, your doctor may recommend chronic suppressive antiviral therapy for prevention. Some people also use holistic treatments, such as L-lysine supplements, but it’s best to consult your doctor first.

Dr. Casey emphasizes that while cold sores can heal on their own, they can be extremely painful, which is why it’s not recommended. Instead, she recommends taking antiviral medication and avoiding contact or spreading the virus through kissing or sharing food or drinks.

Final Insights

Cracked lips and cold sores are no fun and can cause pain and irritation. Understanding your problem is crucial for the best treatment, as cold sores require medication to treat the viral nature of the disease. Chapped lips can be treated at home, but make sure you know the cause, find the right products, and don’t make the situation worse. If you’re not sure whether you have chapped lips or a cold sore, see your doctor.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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