As the weather turns cold and stoves and radiators come on, children's lips start to dry out too. Flaking, bleeding lips with reddened edges bother the child and lead parents to ask, "Is a vitamin missing?" The answer is usually simple: lip skin is thin, has no oil glands and loses water easily to cold, wind, dry air and saliva.

Why do lips crack?

  • Cold, windy weather: Humidity drops outdoors and the lips dry quickly.
  • Heated, dry rooms: Indoor air humidity falls in winter.
  • Lip licking: The most common and most overlooked cause. Saliva seems to moisturise at first, but as it evaporates it dries the lips even more, and the digestive enzymes in it irritate the skin. This creates a "dry, lick, drier" cycle.
  • Mouth breathing: When a child with a long-standing blocked nose or enlarged adenoids sleeps with the mouth open, the lips dry out overnight.
  • Atopic skin: In children with atopic dermatitis (eczema), the lips and surrounding skin dry more easily, and eczema can spread around the mouth.
  • Fluid loss: During diarrhoea, vomiting or high fever, dry lips can be a sign of fluid loss.
  • Irritating products: Flavoured, perfumed or mentholated lip products.

Lip licker's dermatitis: a red ring around the mouth

Children who lick their lips constantly develop a red, scaly ring around the lips, as far as the tongue can reach. This is called lip licker's dermatitis. As long as the habit continues, the redness does not settle. Making the child aware of the habit without scolding and covering the area with a thick protective balm are the keys to healing.

Sores at the corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis)

Cracks, redness and crusting at the corners of the mouth are a separate condition. Saliva collecting in the corners irritates the skin, and yeast (candida) or bacteria can settle in this moist environment. In babies it can occur together with oral thrush. In frequently recurring or stubborn cases, nutritional causes such as iron, B2 (riboflavin), B12, folate and zinc deficiency are also considered. If tiredness, paleness and poor appetite accompany it, iron deficiency anaemia should come to mind. The doctor decides after the examination which tests are needed; random vitamin supplements are not recommended.

How to tell a cold sore from chapped lips

A cold sore (herpes) starts on the edge of the lip with tingling and burning, followed by small fluid-filled blisters in a cluster; the blisters burst and crust over. Simple chapped lips do not have blisters. Cold sores are contagious; until the blisters have crusted and healed, kissing and sharing cups and towels should be avoided. For the first herpes infection, which comes with widespread mouth sores and fever, see our article on mouth ulcers.

Lip care at home: what helps?

  1. A thick, plain protective balm: Apply an unscented, unflavoured balm containing petroleum jelly, shea butter or ceramides often during the day, especially before sleep and before going out.
  2. Ingredients to avoid: Menthol, camphor, eucalyptus, salicylic acid, fragrance and fruit flavours can irritate the lips; a sweet taste encourages licking.
  3. Stopping licking and picking: Instead of pulling off peeling skin, let it soften with the balm.
  4. Enough fluids: Remind your child to drink water during the day.
  5. Protection outdoors: Covering the mouth area with a scarf in cold, windy weather and using a lip product with sunscreen on sunny winter days helps.
  6. Room air: Not overheating rooms and airing them regularly reduces excessive dryness; we explain the right room temperature for babies in our article on baby room temperature.

When should you see a doctor?

  • Cracks that do not improve within two weeks despite regular care
  • Frequently recurring sores at the corners of the mouth
  • Fluid-filled blisters, honey-coloured crusts or fever (this may be a cold sore or a bacterial infection)
  • Sudden swelling of the lips and face: this may be an allergic reaction; if breathing difficulty accompanies it, call 112
  • General symptoms such as tiredness, paleness or weight loss

In children with recurring dry skin, an atopic background can be investigated with a paediatric allergy assessment. You can book an appointment at Özel Düztepe Yaşam Hospital in Şahinbey.