This is minor, but the weather has turned cold here in the Puget Sound region and my lips have been feeling really dry. A quick web search and I came up with an article that says we have salivary glands in our lips. Who knew?

Since mine don't seem to be working, I wondered if anybody had any suggestions for moistening the lips.

Ken

My Drs recommended Aquaphor (brand name) ointment. It works quite well and last longer than lip balms. I first used it when I got blisters on my lips during radiation. I finished treatment 6 months ago but continue to have painful blisters on my lips. No one seems to know what this is from or what to do about it. I thought it was connected to the Thrush but I don't seem to have thrush anymore, but still have the blisters.

Mica
Stage IV tonsil cancer diagnosed 4/04, radiation & chemo.

Mica,

Sorry to hear about the blisters and such, but thanks for the tip. I've got some Aquaphor, so I'll give it a try.

Ken

Ken,
I was glad to read your post because I was going to make the exact same one. I finished radiation 7 months ago and the weather has turned very cold in New England and with it, my lips have been incredibly dry.
I usually put Aquaphor on them 5-6 times a day and it is a big help. I carry around a small tube of Aquaphor so I have it at hand all the time. The best size isthe free sample size that I got while getting radiated.
Lip balms don't cut it. I've tried Vaseline which works pretty well too. Someone recommended taking apart a Vitamin E capsule and spreading the liquid on my lips but I've not yet tried that. Trouble with Aquaphor is that you leave lip prints on everything!

- Sheldon

My dry lips are one of my biggest issues. I can go without the water bottle for long periods of time but panic if I can't find my chapstick! I used to use the aquaphor until I got over having it on my fingers all the time. I started using just a plain chapstick and use it hourly every day, and a few times during the night. I will wake up and be fine without a drink, but have to use the chapstick...............go figure.
Another good lubricant for the lips is plain old crisco (lard). To messy to take outside the house though!
Minnie

Hi guys,

Thanks for the tip about using Aquaphor! My lips, too, have been unusually chapped and I've using Chapsticks, Blistex and Vaseline, but I've got some extra Aquaphor hanging around so I'm going to give that a try. As always someone on this board always thinks of posting the questions I wish I had!

Hugs, Nancy

We have chronic dryness problems in our house (due in part to old steam radiators), so I've found I have to have humidifiers going around the clock throughout the winter. I need them not only for my own comfort but for the three dozen or so orchids that live here in my sunroom. Ever since I started with the humidifiers, I've had fewer problems with dry skin/lips.

Cathy

I have always had dry lips even without radiation and use a gel called Desowen that my dermatologist prescribed years ago. No messy fingers, I use it once or twice a day. Also has no taste. If I remember, aquaohor had a bad taste.

Eileen

Sheldon,

Leaving Aquaphor lip prints is a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

When I run out of the sample someone gave me, I'll check out the travel goodies at RiteAid. I'll bet they carry it.

Thinking about Minnie's post, I can't quite visualize a travel-size can of Crisco, but it would be one heck of a conversation starter.

Ken

I don't use anything on my lips. I do find myself walking everywhere with a bottle of water though. Dry lips may be a sign of dehydration also. Are you drinking lots of fluids daily?

Danny Boy

Danny Boy,

I hadn't thought about dehydration. After HBO treatments I didn't need to carry the bottle everywhere like I did before, so I stopped. Now, I'm licking my lips like a PetSmart lizard. Maybe it's the water, so I'll make sure I get plenty.

Ken

Danny,

Good point but I must say that in my case I drink SO MUCH water that at times I think I'm going to float away!!! For now I'm going to try to aquaphor I still have on hand - that is, at least until they come up with a travel size can of crisco like Ken suggested!

Nancy

Travel size Crisco, that would be so cool! Crisco on the Go. I learned the crisco trick in high school, livng in Maine, dead of winter, no vaseline in the house. My lips were on fire from being chapped and I was desperate, lol. It worked.
Eileen, I remember also that aquaphor had a nasty taste.
I am going to think on the water issue also, I don't drink enough of it and that may be the problem.
Minnie

Flavored travel size Crisco, that would be the ticket! Not sure if I'd pick spearmint or bacon!
- Sheldon

Thanks for the lip-tip Ken. I have lip balm stations around the house and a few pockets besides. I'll check our local pharmacy for the Aquafor...we sometimes don't have products in Canada for a few years after the USA.
I am totally bereft of saliva so when I lick it's probably a loss of moisture to the lips, even tho I always have my bottle.
With my "gecko-neck" I could probably do a good impersonation of that pet-smart mascot.
Always something good to be learned here.
Cheers,
Fran

Another great product from the Vitamin Shoppe (www.vitaminshoppe.com) is a product with tea tree, Lip Rescue by Desert Essence. I have used it during winter months for many years and it is one of the only things that has worked for me.

Having worked in the pork industry for 25 years, I just couldn't imagine using lard on the lips. How would you unclamp the dog?

And, by the way, Sheldon, what were you leaving the Aquaphor lip prints on, anyway???

Ed