How To Treat Chapped Lips In A Newborn

Chapped lips in a newborn are very common. Usually, it is not a huge concern, but if left untreated, it can affect the little one's feeding. Hence, it needs to be taken care of. Here is a detailed discussion of all one would like to know about chapped lips in a newborn.

What causes chapped lips?

1. Weather

When the weather is very cold or hot, and the air is dry, a baby's lips lose moisture and become dry.

2. Breathing through the mouth

Infants breathe through their mouth when their nose is blocked due to cold. This allows air to be constantly on the lips, making them dry and cracked.

3. Dehydration

Dehydration can occur in babies because of hot weather conditions or insufficient feeds. It can cause dryness.

4. Allergic reactions

Allergies may be caused by lip balms, skin care products, stuffed toys, clothes or blankets, and they can make the baby's lips dry.

5. Medications

Medications given to babies may trigger chapped lips as a side effect.

6. Lip sucking and drooling

When babies suck on their lips constantly, the saliva evaporates from the mouth. This leads to dry lips and ultimately cracks start to appear.

7. Baby chapped lips teething

Babies bite their lips when they start teething. This can cause chapping.

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Why are the lips of your baby chapped?

A newborn baby's skin peels for a few weeks after birth. This is because the newborn's skin has to adjust to the outside world. The infant has been getting a safe wet bath in the womb for many months. When the baby comes out, they need to settle into this world. Chapped lips could be an extension of the peeling of the skin.

Moreover, the infant's skin is very thin, soft, and sensitive. Lips don't have oil glands. The lack of an oil barrier causes the newborn baby's lips to get dry and chapped easily.

It could very rarely be because of a serious condition like Kawasaki disease. It causes inflammation of blood vessels. If the baby has persistent fever and chapped lips, it is better to see a paediatrician immediately.

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How to determine if your infant is dehydrated?

Signs of dehydration in infants include the following:

• Less frequent urination: If the baby's diaper remains dry for six hours or more

• Fewer bowel movements or constipation

• Cold hands and feet

• Crying with little or no tears

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• Playing lesser than usual

• A sunken soft spot on the top of the head

• Fast and deep breathing

• Dry skin and lips

• Tired, sleepy, and cranky

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What if your baby has lips that are always chapped?

If a baby's chapped lips don't improve after several weeks, it could be a symptom of other health issues.

• It could be a vitamin deficiency or too much consumption of vitamins like vitamin A.

• It could be a condition called lip licker's dermatitis. It is a skin condition that is caused by irritation caused by saliva. It can cause discomfort and itching. The baby will immediately lick and wet the lips to get relief. This will worsen the condition and cause cracking and bleeding.

• Another serious but rare condition is Kawasaki disease. It is more common in Japan than in other countries. Apart from dry and cracked lips, children have other symptoms like persistent fever, rashes in the groin area, bright red spots on the tongue, swollen lymph nodes, and swollen hands and feet.

If kids' chapped lips continue for weeks, the baby needs immediate medical attention to rule out serious medical issues.

How to care for a baby's chapped lips?

1. Breast milk:

This is the best option to treat baby chapped lips. Just dab a few drops of breast milk on the baby's lip.

2. Coconut oil:

Pure unscented coconut oil contains lauric acid that is found in breast milk. Applying coconut oil could help in keeping the lips hydrated.

3. Lanolin cream:

Lanolin is used to treat cracked nipples. The same can also be used for treating chapped lips in babies.

4. Regular feeding:

Giving the little one enough feeding will also help.

How to keep a baby's lips from being chapped?

• Use a humidifier in the baby's room to prevent the air from becoming dry.

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• Wrap the baby well to protect them from harsh weather conditions. Make sure the baby's clothing is weather-appropriate.

• Apply coconut oil or baby-safe lip balm if the weather is cold and dry.

• Feed the baby at regular intervals to avoid dehydration.

Conclusion

Chapped lips in babies are common and will resolve with home remedies. However, if it persists for an extended period and there are additional symptoms, it is better to see a doctor.

References

1. Lugović-Mihić L, Pilipović K, Crnarić I, Šitum M, Duvančić T. (2018). Differential Diagnosis of Cheilitis - How to Classify Cheilitis? Acta Clin Croat.

2. Thadchanamoorthy V, Thirukumar M, Dayasiri K. (2020). Sucking Pads: A Report of Two Newborns. Cureus.

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