Lips usually become dehydrated, cracked, or cracked when the weather is cold, dry, and windy. Unlike the skin, this area is more prone to cracking as it does not produce sebum, which is intended to protect the epidermis. In fact, the lips tend to dehydrate more than any other part of the body. When it happens to a baby, the outer skin lining becomes tight and starts to crack. This can be particularly painful, especially for a child, but it is usually possible to treat the disorder without medication. You can try different methods to speed up healing and prevent the same problem from reappearing in the future.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Treating a Toddler's Split Lips
Step 1. Tell your child not to lick their lips
If they are dry, it will likely tend to dampen them. When saliva comes into contact with the lips, it evaporates quickly, drying them even more. Consequently, whenever you see him make this gesture, remind him to avoid it because it will not improve the situation.
Step 2. Make sure he drinks 8-10 glasses of water a day
To prevent dehydration, offer water during meals and while playing.
Step 3. Ask him to breathe through his nose instead of his mouth
The air that comes out of the mouth will constantly pass over the lips and dry them. If the child has a cold and cannot breathe through his nose, consult your pediatrician to properly treat the ailment.
Step 4. Check the label on the toothpaste your child uses
This product contains an active ingredient called sodium lauryl sulfate, which causes the lips to dehydrate and even irritate, causing cracks to form. Make sure the toothpaste your child is using does not contain this ingredient.
Step 5. Metal objects, such as paper clips, should be kept away from the child, especially if he or she is allergic to nickel
Toddlers have a habit of putting things in their mouths. If they come into contact with a nickel-containing object, such as a paper clip, the lips can break. If you have an allergy, the irritation will be more acute and other adverse reactions can also occur.
Step 6. Protect your baby's face on cold, dry or windy days
An adverse climate can further dehydrate the baby's lips. Wrap a scarf around her mouth so she doesn't get exposed to dry, freezing air. If it's cold, let him play indoors.
You can also install humidifiers in your home or baby's room to prevent the air from becoming too dry
Step 7. Don't feed him citrus
The acid in these fruits tends to irritate the lips and make them photosensitive. Consequently, the water contained in the lips will evaporate quickly in the sun, causing them to crack.
Citrus fruits to avoid include lemons, oranges, grapefruits, mandarins, pomelo and limes
Step 8. Apply a lip balm twice a day (once in the morning and once before bed) with a cotton swab
Coat the affected area only. Look for a conditioner or ointment that contains ingredients such as petrolatum, castor oil, shea butter, or sunflower oil. Some products you commonly use in cooking, such as olive oil, are also effective for treating split lips.
- Avoid balms in tubes with a waxy texture - they are not as effective for moisturizing the lips. If you plan to go out with your child, apply a balm with SPF 15 to their lips, as even exposure to the sun can dehydrate them. Do not use scented or fruity products as they can cause him to lick them.
- Lip balms can be found in a pharmacy or supermarket. Effectiveness depends on the severity of the situation.
Step 9. Moisten the baby's lips as often as possible with a clean cloth dipped in clean water
Dab it, do not rub it, otherwise you risk irritating and further damaging the area.
It is more effective to moisten the lips with water than with saliva. The pH of the water is neutral (usually 7), so it is not acidic or basic. Saliva, on the other hand, contains digestive enzymes which are acidic and will irritate the area even more
Method 2 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms of an Infection
Step 1. If your chapped lips are leaking pus and are sore, see a doctor
It is possible that the baby touched them with dirty hands and put objects such as dirty toys or pacifiers in his mouth. This is how the transmission of microorganisms occurs, especially if the lips have open wounds.
Step 2. Take your child to the doctor if you notice white patches on the tongue
Along with split lips, white patches can be a symptom of candidiasis. Your doctor may recommend applying an antifungal cream to treat the infection.
Step 3. Take him to the pediatrician to find out if he has lip eczema
If the lips break continuously, it is possible that the baby is suffering from eczema, a common ailment associated with dry skin. In this case the doctor will give you directions on how to proceed or prescribe a stronger treatment.
