Question:
Are Cracked Lips a sign of Vitamin Deficiency?
I'm 3 mos post-op RNY. For 3 weeks I've had painful chapped lips and cracks at the corners of my mouth that won't go away. I keep some kind of lip balm on them at all times and nothing has helped. Anybody experience this? I'm concerned it's a vitamin deficiency. RNY 4/1/2003, down 57 pounds 259/202 — Vicki S. (posted on June 29, 2003)
June 29, 2003
Are you drinking enough pure water???? I know that if I do not drink
enough water (not liquids) I will get very bad chapped and cracked
lips....they also start peeling. I also notice this in my daughter too. I
would try upping your water intake ....personally I drink 80oz a
day....granted I am still pre-op, but if I have less....I have to get out
the blistex.
— jennap
June 29, 2003
I experienced the same thing. I was told I had a B-2 deficiency. I wasn't
eating enough carbs...I gradually added a few more carbs to my diet. Check
with your dietician and doc. Best of luck to you! Ciao, Victoria in Italy
:)
— perezrdh
June 29, 2003
never heard of it associated with a vit deficiancy - but it can be from a
lack of essential oils in your diet OR from dehydration.
— [Deactivated Member]
June 29, 2003
Yes, for sure it is! You need to add B-complex. I have the same problem. If
I forget my daily B-complex (not the same as B-12)it starts cracking again.
Make sure you're taking your B-12 in addition to the B complex. Low iron
can also have the same effect.
— ZZ S.
June 29, 2003
DEHYDRATION.
— Marcy G.
June 29, 2003
to add.....I forgot to mention that it was my dentist that pointed out I
had a B-complex deficiency as he noticed the cracks on the sides of the
mouth. I was trying to heal them on my own. Also, I drink 120 oz a day of
water and am not dehydrated ever. Good Luck!
— ZZ S.
June 29, 2003
Hi, all: Just wanted to add my 2 cents on this subject. I'm still pre-op,
so I don't know about the vitamin deficiency, I would caution everyone to
be careful what you use on your chapped lips. Things like Carmex and
Blistex can end up making your chapped lips worse, even though they feel
really good when you put them on because of the menthol and other chemicals
in them. Lip balms like that, i.e. medicated lip balms, are usually
intended for cold sores, otherwise known as fever blisters, and are used to
dry them up. I think one of the best remedies for dry, chapped lips (aside
from water and vitamins) is good old petroleum jelly. Sally Hansen also
has one called Daily Lip Moisture that comes in a tube and is very good,
and also Neutrogena has a lip balm that's good and has SPF as well. I've
done a lot of research on this because I had stitches in my bottom lip
twice when I was young and they often get dry and crack where the scars
are.
— Moysa B.
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