You could use Vaseline for that and it's a lot cheaper - but what do I know?!?! I live in the San Francsico Bay Area and we never even have a freeze here!

Thanks for all the replies. Gary, I'm trying to track down the two types you mentioned, thank your wife for me please.

Dani, my doctors saw me in January when all this started. Said they didn't see anything that was worrisome to them. My lips will be red, will have some small blisters, but they eventually heal and feel like they're getting better. Then we will have a weather change, and boom, they're crazy acting again. What type of symptoms did your mom experience with her lips? I want to make sure I don't need to investigate this further.

Here's a link to Epicuren, they have a list of people who sell it. It's mainly only available in spas on on-line.

http://www.epicuren.com/PuvPrtcton.htm

Here's another interesting link on lip balm in general - enjoy:

http://www.kevdo.com/lipbalm/industry.html

Minnie,

Her lips were dry and cracked and there was one spot that had a sort of blister she would use chapstick and it would seem a little better but never got completely better so yours sounds different. We have a history of skin cancer in our family because of our light skin and hair her dermatologist says that the cancers would of shown up eventually even if she didn't have the radiation but the radiation just made them come out quicker. Both her ENT and dermatologist say they are not related to her oral cancer. What did your doctors say that it was? It doesn't seem like the same thing as my mom. I wouldn't worry about it. Since radiation my moms skin just hasn't been the same. I'm sure a lot of people have problems with their skin after radiation especially those with fair skin.

Take Care,

Just another suggestion for a product to try... my husband was given this by a nurse's aide when he was an inpatient second week after radiation began. It is Toothette Mouth Moisturizer, made by Sage Products, Inc. (Reorder No. 6083) Phone: 1-800-323-2220. It works very well for dryness and burning. It doesn't have any petroleum in the ingredients. It can be used inside the mouth as well.

Michele

Chapstick conspiracy............I'm still laughing at that one! Have any of you REALLY looked at the HUNDREDS of chapsticks available? Crazy.

Dani, your moms lips do sound different then mine. Mine are not cracking, they just feel dry, get red, have become swollen twice now and will have tiny blisters in the morning. They also burn at times. They feel much better since I stopped using the Vaseling intensive care. I started using Carmex until I can find what Gary's wife suggested, and there has been a dramatic difference. I was literally putting the Intensive care on my lips approx. every 15 minutes, I was hostage to the stuff. Now, I'm only feeling the need to use the Carmex every few hours............and my lips are the normal color now. Still a tiny bit sore and still feel dryer then usual, but that may be all the weather changes in my area.

Gary, my daughter is in San Diego for the week, she arrived today. None of us has ever been to the West Coast and she said it's just beautiful. Her fiance is graduating from the Marines bootcamp out there and they may stay there for awhile.

I lived in San Diego for 2 years while I was on active duty in the Navy there. Had a lot of fun and wild times...

I particularly liked the chapstick 12 step program - complete with traditions - VERY funny!

That was a big thing in Napoleon Dynamite.

Dear Minnie,

Glad your lips are getting better. Perhaps you missed my post on the 3rd. I would be more than happy to mail you a lip balm without petrolatum.

If you want one, just send me your address.

Jerry

Thats strange how using something that is supposed sooth and cure chapped lips was actually making them worse. My daughter would get really bad chapped skin under her pacifier and I tried a bunch of stuff and Carmex was the only thing that cured her chapped lips too. I'm so glad your lips are getting better. Is your daughter thinking of moving to San Diego? It is very nice there and theres lots to do. If you ever come out to California I would love to meet you!

Take Care,
Dani

THE CHAPSTICK CONSPIRACY........I cannot stop laughing about it. I've had so many conversations with my friends about this in the past few days. My best friend is a "Chapstick Addict" and she is "drying out" she calls it. So funny the things she says. But, she did say that spending two days MAKING herself resist putting chapstick on and lengthening the time between applications has made her lips feel more naturally moist.

Dani, if her fiancee is stationed in San Diego for his school (he's in the JAG division) then we don't know what she will do. He's hoping for a school in North Carolina that is only two hours away so she doesn't have to worry about moving. She's attends Regent University and really loves it. So, we'll see. If she ends up out there, I can promise that every month she will have one of her sisters or her father and I there visiting her...........so we'll have to meet up! I'd love to meet you also.

Jerry, I did get your post. I believe it was you that stated not to use petroleum as it actually makes the lips dryer. You are right! Thanks for the advice.

Chapstick Conspiracy...................hey everyone, ask Gary about the 12 Step Program for this.................and visit the website he linked us with, it's hysterical.