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Itchy face and lips: Itchy Lips: Causes and Prevention

by alexxlab

Itchy Lips: Causes and Prevention

Most of the time, having itchy lips is related to a contact or seasonal allergy. Sometimes, having itchy lips is a symptom of other less common health conditions.

An itchy sensation on your lips can happen suddenly and be quite uncomfortable. Keep reading to find out what could be causing your lips to feel itchy.

Allergic contact cheilitis

Allergic contact cheilitis is the term for itchy or inflamed lips caused by exposure to an allergen. Lip cosmetics, sunscreens, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and medications can all cause your lips to have this kind of reaction. Foods that contain preservatives, fragrances, or artificial flavorings are also common culprits.

This condition makes your lips look swollen and creates patches of scaly or itchy skin on your lips. This condition is temporary and should resolve within 24 hours of contact with an allergy.

Drug-induced cheilitis

There are some prescription medications that cause itchy lips as a side effect. Retinoid treatments (isotretinoin, acitretin, alitretinoin) are known to have this side effect. They can also make your lips crack and bleed. Allergies to penicillin-based antibiotics, like amoxicillin, can also cause your lips to feel itchy.

Traumatic cheilitis

This kind of lip inflammation is caused by overstimulating the sensitive skin on your lips. Habits like lip licking and lip biting can cause your lips to become swollen and feel itchy. This condition will go away if you’re able to stop the behavior that’s irritating your lips, but it could continue to recur as long as your lips are being irritated. This condition is most common in children and adolescents.

Weather-induced cheilitis

As the name suggests, this kind of lip inflammation comes from your lips being exposed to extreme heat, wind, or cold temperatures for a prolonged period of time. This condition is more likely to occur in people who live in climates where extreme temperatures happen often, and in people who work outside. This condition is frequently accompanied by cracking or bleeding lips.

Infections

There are some bacterial, viral, and fungal infections that can make your lips feel itchy. The herpes simplex virus, candida overgrowth, and strep (group A Streptococcus) and staph (group A Staphylococcus) infections are all common causes of itchy and uncomfortable lips. In the case of an infection, your lips should feel normal again once the other infection symptoms go away. In some cases, antibiotics may be required to control the infection.

Other causes

Other causes of itchy lips symptoms include:

  • lupus
  • chronic hives (hives that occur frequently and last for more than six weeks)
  • ingrown hairs from shaving (folliculitis)
  • nutrient deficiencies
  • Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (a rare condition that causes facial paralysis)

You can experience one without the other, but sometimes your lips might simply feel itchy because they’re dry. Lips that have become dry because of environmental factors can start to feel itchy. Skin that’s dried out has a weaker barrier. This can make your lips feel irritated and appear red or inflamed, or give you the urge to scratch.

Having dry lips usually isn’t an indicator or symptom of anything besides the environment around you, such as excessive heat or dry climate. But lips that are itchy can be a symptom of something more. Though the two symptoms are often linked, it’s important to be able to determine the difference.

Seek immediate medical care if you experience any of the following:

  • a sudden rash that spreads from your lips across the rest of your face
  • nonstop bleeding on your lips
  • difficulty breathing
  • lips that swell up rapidly

You should make an appointment with your doctor if you have persistent symptoms of itchy lips, especially if your symptoms are accompanied by lips that are cracked or bleeding. Make sure to tell your doctor about any medications you’re taking and cosmetics you have used recently when you discuss your symptoms.

If you don’t already have a primary care provider, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

Your doctor may refer you to an allergist to rule out any allergic reactions to products or food. Blood tests can tell you if what you’re experiencing is allergic contact cheilitis. Your doctor may also do a culture or swab test to determine whether you have an infection or a candida overgrowth.

Treatment for itchy lips depends on the cause. Your doctor may prescribe medication if they suspect an infection. Oral antibiotics and antifungal creams may help your lips feel less itchy. A topical or oral antihistamine may clear up itching and hives if you are having an allergic reaction.

Lips that are itchy and dry may need a moisturizing treatment to seal the barrier between your lips and the air while your skin heals. Your doctor can recommend a hypo-allergenic, fragrance- and chemical-free product that you can use daily to protect your lips from dry conditions and severe weather.

Discuss any medications you’re taking with a doctor or pharmacist to see whether they can cause itchy lips as a side effect.

To keep itchy lips from recurring, there are a few things you can do.

Protect your lips

All year long, protect your lips with a medicated lip balm that contains a sunscreen. The Mayo Clinic recommends covering your mouth with a scarf when you go outside in freezing temperatures to protect your lips from cold air. Choose unflavored, unscented, hypoallergenic products that will shield your lips without exposing your skin to chemicals.

Change your habits

Do your best to avoid licking your lips. While it may seem like licking your lips hydrates the area, it actually causes your lips to become even drier than before. You may also want to consider changing your daily skin care and makeup regimen to limit your mouth’s exposure to ingredients that strip out moisture. And be mindful of the way you breathe, too; breathing through your mouth instead of your nose can dry out your lips.

Stay hydrated

Getting enough water is important to your health for about 100 reasons. Consider this reason No. 101. Drinking plenty of fluids, and using a humidifier in your home during the winter months, can restore proper hydration to your skin and keep your lips from getting chapped and itchy.

Having itchy lips is usually a benign symptom of having dry, itchy skin around your mouth. This symptom tends to resolve on its own, sometimes without any treatment. There are cases when itchy lips can indicate a deeper health condition, so pay attention to other symptoms that might occur along with itchy lips.

Itchy Lips: Causes and Prevention

Most of the time, having itchy lips is related to a contact or seasonal allergy. Sometimes, having itchy lips is a symptom of other less common health conditions.

An itchy sensation on your lips can happen suddenly and be quite uncomfortable. Keep reading to find out what could be causing your lips to feel itchy.

Allergic contact cheilitis

Allergic contact cheilitis is the term for itchy or inflamed lips caused by exposure to an allergen. Lip cosmetics, sunscreens, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and medications can all cause your lips to have this kind of reaction. Foods that contain preservatives, fragrances, or artificial flavorings are also common culprits.

This condition makes your lips look swollen and creates patches of scaly or itchy skin on your lips. This condition is temporary and should resolve within 24 hours of contact with an allergy.

Drug-induced cheilitis

There are some prescription medications that cause itchy lips as a side effect. Retinoid treatments (isotretinoin, acitretin, alitretinoin) are known to have this side effect. They can also make your lips crack and bleed. Allergies to penicillin-based antibiotics, like amoxicillin, can also cause your lips to feel itchy.

Traumatic cheilitis

This kind of lip inflammation is caused by overstimulating the sensitive skin on your lips. Habits like lip licking and lip biting can cause your lips to become swollen and feel itchy. This condition will go away if you’re able to stop the behavior that’s irritating your lips, but it could continue to recur as long as your lips are being irritated. This condition is most common in children and adolescents.

Weather-induced cheilitis

As the name suggests, this kind of lip inflammation comes from your lips being exposed to extreme heat, wind, or cold temperatures for a prolonged period of time. This condition is more likely to occur in people who live in climates where extreme temperatures happen often, and in people who work outside. This condition is frequently accompanied by cracking or bleeding lips.

Infections

There are some bacterial, viral, and fungal infections that can make your lips feel itchy. The herpes simplex virus, candida overgrowth, and strep (group A Streptococcus) and staph (group A Staphylococcus) infections are all common causes of itchy and uncomfortable lips. In the case of an infection, your lips should feel normal again once the other infection symptoms go away. In some cases, antibiotics may be required to control the infection.

Other causes

Other causes of itchy lips symptoms include:

  • lupus
  • chronic hives (hives that occur frequently and last for more than six weeks)
  • ingrown hairs from shaving (folliculitis)
  • nutrient deficiencies
  • Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (a rare condition that causes facial paralysis)

You can experience one without the other, but sometimes your lips might simply feel itchy because they’re dry. Lips that have become dry because of environmental factors can start to feel itchy. Skin that’s dried out has a weaker barrier. This can make your lips feel irritated and appear red or inflamed, or give you the urge to scratch.

Having dry lips usually isn’t an indicator or symptom of anything besides the environment around you, such as excessive heat or dry climate. But lips that are itchy can be a symptom of something more. Though the two symptoms are often linked, it’s important to be able to determine the difference.

Seek immediate medical care if you experience any of the following:

  • a sudden rash that spreads from your lips across the rest of your face
  • nonstop bleeding on your lips
  • difficulty breathing
  • lips that swell up rapidly

You should make an appointment with your doctor if you have persistent symptoms of itchy lips, especially if your symptoms are accompanied by lips that are cracked or bleeding. Make sure to tell your doctor about any medications you’re taking and cosmetics you have used recently when you discuss your symptoms.

If you don’t already have a primary care provider, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

Your doctor may refer you to an allergist to rule out any allergic reactions to products or food. Blood tests can tell you if what you’re experiencing is allergic contact cheilitis. Your doctor may also do a culture or swab test to determine whether you have an infection or a candida overgrowth.

Treatment for itchy lips depends on the cause. Your doctor may prescribe medication if they suspect an infection. Oral antibiotics and antifungal creams may help your lips feel less itchy. A topical or oral antihistamine may clear up itching and hives if you are having an allergic reaction.

Lips that are itchy and dry may need a moisturizing treatment to seal the barrier between your lips and the air while your skin heals. Your doctor can recommend a hypo-allergenic, fragrance- and chemical-free product that you can use daily to protect your lips from dry conditions and severe weather.

Discuss any medications you’re taking with a doctor or pharmacist to see whether they can cause itchy lips as a side effect.

To keep itchy lips from recurring, there are a few things you can do.

Protect your lips

All year long, protect your lips with a medicated lip balm that contains a sunscreen. The Mayo Clinic recommends covering your mouth with a scarf when you go outside in freezing temperatures to protect your lips from cold air. Choose unflavored, unscented, hypoallergenic products that will shield your lips without exposing your skin to chemicals.

Change your habits

Do your best to avoid licking your lips. While it may seem like licking your lips hydrates the area, it actually causes your lips to become even drier than before. You may also want to consider changing your daily skin care and makeup regimen to limit your mouth’s exposure to ingredients that strip out moisture. And be mindful of the way you breathe, too; breathing through your mouth instead of your nose can dry out your lips.

Stay hydrated

Getting enough water is important to your health for about 100 reasons. Consider this reason No. 101. Drinking plenty of fluids, and using a humidifier in your home during the winter months, can restore proper hydration to your skin and keep your lips from getting chapped and itchy.

Having itchy lips is usually a benign symptom of having dry, itchy skin around your mouth. This symptom tends to resolve on its own, sometimes without any treatment. There are cases when itchy lips can indicate a deeper health condition, so pay attention to other symptoms that might occur along with itchy lips.

Skin itching: what causes it and how to reduce it?

4 min. reading

    Show more

    What is itching and how does it occur?

    Itching is a tingling sensation that makes you want to scratch. It is usually localized (that is, it occurs on a specific part of the body, such as the calves), but it can also be present throughout the body. When something irritates the skin, it disrupts its protective barrier. Skin cells release histamine, and receptors send a signal to the brain to scratch.

    When the skin is dry, its protective barrier is significantly reduced in the amount of moisture and lipids needed to work effectively, and it is more vulnerable to external irritants that can cause itching. Scratching is a natural response that can provide temporary relief, but frequent scratching further aggravates the itching. Scratching can damage the skin, cause it to thicken, and send further messages about itching to the brain – this is how the vicious circle of itching begins. When damaged, the skin acts as an effective barrier less, making it and the body as a whole more susceptible to infections. With this in mind, it is important to take itchy skin seriously and take care of it when the first symptoms occur.

    What causes itchy skin?

    Itching can be caused by various irritants – chemical, physical and psychological. Dry skin is often prone to itching. There are a number of factors, both internal and external, that can cause dry skin and therefore itching:

    Internal factors:

    – Genetics.

    – Hormonal fluctuations.

    – Skin aging: Skin naturally becomes drier with age.

    – Diseases: Dry and itchy skin can be a symptom of a number of diseases, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and diabetes.

    External factors:

    – Climate and environment: Dry weather, central heating and air conditioning can exacerbate dryness.

    – Sunburn.

    – Some drugs.

    – Washing too often with hot water.

    – Aggressive detergents and laundry detergents.

    – Wrong diet.

    – Stress.

    Other causes of itchy skin

    There are several other factors that can cause itching, while they are not associated with dryness or skin disease, but violate the protective barrier of the skin. For example:

    • Allergic reactions.
    • Insect bites.
    • Poisonous plants (eg hogweed).
    • Shaving.

    In some cases, regular itching can be a symptom of more serious conditions such as cancer (primarily lymphoma and leukemia). If you regularly experience itching and discomfort, it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible for a diagnosis.

    How to take care of itchy skin?

    Itchy skin will require regular and consistent care with products specifically formulated to address the causes of itching and provide immediate and lasting symptom relief.

    The Eucerin UreaRepair line has been specially developed for dry, itchy skin. Products contain:

    • Urea and other natural moisturizing factor (NMF) components that improve the skin’s ability to bind water and increase its moisture content.
    • Ceramides and other lipids that help strengthen the skin barrier and protect against further moisture loss.

    These cleansers and care products have been clinically and dermatologically proven to provide immediate and lasting relief from dryness and itching for up to 48 hours.

    The following products are especially effective for dry, itchy skin:

    • UreaRepair 5% Urea Cleansing Fluid: Gentle yet effective full body cleanser.
    • UreaRepair 10% Urea Moisturizing Lotion: A lightweight yet intensely hydrating body cream that soothes dry, itchy skin.

    All products in this range are suitable for dry, itchy skin all over the body, but should not be used on open wounds or on skin with atopic dermatitis.

    For skin with atopic dermatitis, Eucerin Atopi Control is recommended to soothe itchy atopic skin even during flare-ups. Contains:

    • Licochalcone A (licorice root extract): A powerful anti-inflammatory that soothes itchy skin and reduces redness.
    • Omega-3.6 oils, fatty acid-rich natural oils of evening primrose and grape seed, help stabilize the skin’s protective barrier and reduce moisture loss.
    • Menthoxypropanediol: Reduces the sensation of itching in the skin by activating cooling receptors in nerve fiber endings.

    The series is suitable for children over three months old, and the oil is also suitable for newborns.

    The following products will also be particularly effective for atopic skin in adults:

    • Atopi Control Cleansing Shower Oil: Gently cleanses and soothes itching.
    • Atopi Control Body Lotion for Adults, Children and Babies: Moisturizes and soothes itchy, atopic skin.

    What can be done to reduce or prevent itching?

    Topical treatments and specially formulated skin care products will help, but there are other things that can be done or avoided to reduce and in some cases prevent itching.

    The first tip may seem obvious, but it’s very important – don’t itch! Scratching is counterproductive and only increases itching. Excessive scratching provokes damage to the skin and the formation of small wounds that can become infected. For severe itching, try cooling the irritated area with a damp compress and/or gently massaging the itchy skin.

    Other measures to help prevent or reduce itchy skin:

    • In winter, use a room humidifier to prevent the air from drying out.
    • Protect your skin from dryness and chapping when you are outdoors.
    • In summer, avoid prolonged exposure to heat and humidity.
    • Wear breathable, comfortable clothing. Avoid synthetic fabrics and prickly wool.
    • Wash new clothes and towels before use.
    • Use mild, fragrance-free detergents, avoid fabric softeners and bleaches.
    • Use soap-free cleansers and hypoallergenic make-up products.
    • Keep your nails trimmed and wear cotton gloves at night to protect your skin from scratching.
    • Practice relaxation techniques to reduce irritability and stress.
    • Drink plenty of water to keep your skin from drying out.

    Edited by Anastasia Timoshkina

    Training Manager, Eucerin brand expert

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    Itching is a common skin condition and itching is one of the most commonly reported dermatological symptoms. 1.2 Let’s take a closer look at the causes of itching, potential triggers and the role of histamine.

    Allergy is a very common disease affecting more than 20% of the population in the most developed countries. 3 Let’s take a closer look at the causes of allergies, potential triggers and the role of histamine.

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    2.4

    The most commonly reported triggers for pruritus are insect bites, sunburn, urticaria, dermatoses and superficial burns. 2.4

    Substances that cause allergic reactions are called allergens

    5

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    • Dust
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    • Certain drugs
    • Certain foodstuffs
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    • Insect bites, etc.

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    8-10

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    • Histamine is released from mast cells and basophils into the skin 9
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    8

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    8

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    Itching can create a vicious itching-scratch cycle that can further worsen the condition

    11. 12 and combing. 12

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