Lips are the most delicate in case of children. As the weather changes, children’s lips get dry and may also start bleeding and aching because of being chapped. As compared to adults, children are more prone to cracked lips due to a change in environmental surroundings. Lip balm and treatments are important to relieve the children of any problems caused due to chapped lips.

Causes of chapped lips in children
Dehydration is a common reason for chapped lips. Especially during the winters, we may not remember to drink enough water. The skin of children and babies can become dry as the cold can draw out moisture from their bodies and drinking adequate water is important to avoid chapped lips.

Nutritional deficiency – Chapped lips in babies and children are caused by food that may not be adequately nutritional. Lips might not be healthy because newborns, toddlers, and children might be diagnosed with lower amounts of nutrients, which becomes a bigger problem in children with low immunity.

Breathing via mouth – When children breathe via mouth regularly, lips get cold air, which may cause cracks in the lips. A blocked nose may also cause the baby to breathe through the mouth.

Sucking, biting, and licking lips – Babies usually have a habit of biting their lips, which leads to the lips cracking. Similarly, when they suck or lick lips, the lips become wet and cold, making them dry when the saliva evaporates.

Treatment for chapped lips
Following certain treatment options for chapped lips can reduce the irritation caused by them. Some of the treatments for chapped lips are:

Lip balm – Lip balm and treatments are completely related and often you will be advised to apply lip balm on the lips so that the skin on lips is protected. Many lip balms are available in the market, which have been manufactured for newborns and babies. Some of the best lip balms for children include Burt’s Bees lip balm with beeswax, Badger lip balm, Babyganics lip and face balm, EOS organic lip balm, and The Honest Company organic lip balm plain & simple. However, you should definitely consult your doctor before using a particular lip balm on your baby or child.

Petroleum jelly – Petroleum jelly keeps the lips moisturized and allows the cracks to heal faster and cause lesser pain. Most of the times, petroleum jelly is safe for the children, even if they end up licking or swallowing the substance. We should try to apply petroleum jelly on the lips of children just before they are going to sleep so that they cannot wipe it clean.

Coconut oil – Coconut oil is a good source of nutrition, and it is no different with lips. It is readily available and very effective in healing chapped lips of children and adults. Make sure to disinfect your finger before you apply coconut oil on your little one’s lips.

In all of the above treatments, make sure not to rub the substance on the lips of the baby or child, as lips are delicate as has been already mentioned. Additionally, only use any lip care product for your child after consulting a doctor.