There’s no denying it: Dry, chapped, itchy lips can be uncomfortable. When your lips are irritated, you’ll likely have the impulse to scratch or lick them. But doing either will just make your lips red and more inflamed, so it’s best to resist the urge.
Most of the time, itchy lips are just a sign that you need to invest in a better lip balm. But sometimes, the persistent prickly sensation can be a symptom of a more-serious health issue.
Here, Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York, discusses the most common causes of itchy lips, plus ways to find relief from the itching.
Cheilitis
“Cheilitis [or chapped lips] is a general umbrella term describing inflammation of the lips that typically presents with redness, dryness, cracking, flaking, and itching,” Dr. Chang says.
You might also notice peeling, mild pain, and sores on your lips and in your mouth, according to Cleveland Clinic.
This common inflammatory lip condition can be triggered by many things, such as frequent lip licking or an infection, Chang says. “Less-common causes of cheilitis include nutritional deficiencies, including vitamin B and iron deficiencies, as well as autoimmune disorders,” she says.
What to Do
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. For example, if you have infection-related cheilitis, your dermatologist might prescribe an antifungal cream to cure your itch.
Or if you’re a lip licker, you can try to limit the habit and use topical barriers. These include petroleum jelly and other emollients, substances that moisten and soften your skin.
Topical steroids can also help heal the inflammation, Chang says. But research shows that the side effects of topical steroid misuse and abuse can happen more on specific areas of the body, including the face.
Other tried-and-true tips to heal itchy, chapped lips include, according to Cleveland Clinic:
- Stay hydrated.
- Use lip balm or ointment as needed throughout the day.
- Apply lip balm with sunscreen when outdoors.
- Keep foreign objects away from your mouth, such as pens, jewelry, and metal objects.
- Use a humidifier.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact cheilitis is allergic contact dermatitis that affects your lips. Caused by contact with an irritating substance or an allergic response to it, contact dermatitis develops into an itchy, uncomfortable rash, according to Mayo Clinic.
“This unpleasant lip issue can create an eczema-like reaction on or around the lips,” leading to dryness, scaling, and cracking, Chang says.
Common irritant or allergic triggers include, according to Chang:
- Lipsticks, lip balms, and other cosmetics
- Toothpaste, mouthwash, and metals found in other dental materials or products
- Fragrances
- Preservatives
- Some foods, like mango, citrus fruits, and cinnamon
- Certain medications
What to Do
“Avoiding the allergen or irritant is the best prevention and treatment,” Chang says. To help spot your particular triggers, speak with your doctor about patch testing, she says.
Patch testing involves placing sticky patches — which contain small traces of possible allergens — on your skin. If you develop a skin reaction to a particular patch, it may mean that a certain substance is creating an allergic response.
In the meantime, you can soothe your itchy lips with topical steroids to get more immediate relief, Chang says.
Non-steroidal treatments like topical tacrolimus can also treat isolated lip dermatitis, research shows.
Side Effects of Medication
Your itchy lips may be linked with what’s in your medicine cabinet. Certain medications can produce a prickly reaction in your lips. This is called drug-related cheilitis, Chang says.
She says some common culprits are:
- Retinoids like acitretin, and isotretinoin (Absorica)
- Antiretroviral drugs, such as protease inhibitors
- Lithium
- Chemotherapy drugs
What to Do
If you think your medication is causing your itchy lip problem, talk with your doctor. They may adjust your dosage or prescribe you a different medicine. When switching to a different drug isn’t an option, “frequent application of topical emollients can help,” Chang says.
According to MedlinePlus, though, certain moisturizers can trigger contact dermatitis — specifically those that contain fragrances.
Eczema
Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a long-term condition that causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. It can develop anywhere on your body, including your lips.
“Those with atopic dermatitis can have atopic cheilitis,” Chang says. “These patients tend to have a personal or family history of atopy [the genetic predisposition to develop allergic diseases], including eczema, hay fever, and asthma,” she says.
What’s more, people with eczema on their lips are also more prone to allergic or irritant contact cheilitis, Chang adds.
What to Do
If eczema affects your lips, talk with your dermatologist. “Treatment [often] includes frequent emollient use and topical steroids,” Chang says.
Herpes Simplex Virus
An oral herpes outbreak may be the origin of your itchy lips.
“Herpes labialis, commonly known as cold sores or fever blisters, are lip lesions that occur due to herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection,” Chang says.
Herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1), the virus that causes cold sores, spreads through affected saliva or skin, according to Cleveland Clinic. That means you can catch it by kissing or sharing food utensils, lip balm, or razors.
“Cold sores typically present with small red blisters and crusting on or around the lips, and are associated with tingling, burning, or an itching sensation that can occur even before onset of the blisters,” Chang says.
Certain factors can increase the frequency of fever blisters, she says. These include:
- Recent fever or illness
- Fatigue
- Emotional stress
- Too much sun exposure
- Menstruation
- Immune suppression
What to Do
There’s no cure for herpes. “Once infected with HSV, the virus remains dormant within the nerves and can be reactivated to cause recurrent symptoms,” Chang says.
But there are ways to make outbreaks more manageable. “Oral antivirals can be prescribed early in the course to decrease the duration and severity of cold sores,” Chang says. Topical anesthetics may also help ease symptoms.
And if you have a mild bout of fever blisters, you may be fine without meds entirely, although frequent mild breakouts might require oral prophylactic treatments. Acyclovir (Xerese), for example, is indicated for recurrent HSV outbreaks, according to StatPearls.
Oral Thrush
A fungal infection may be triggering the itchiness in your lips.
“Oral thrush or candidiasis is a common oral yeast infection that is most commonly caused by an overgrowth of a fungal organism called Candida albicans,” Chang says.
Normally, candida fungus lives in your mouth without causing any problems, according to Mayo Clinic. But when your system becomes imbalanced, that can lead to an overgrowth of fungus and foster unpleasant symptoms.
In addition to an intense itch, oral thrush can also create the following issues inside your mouth, according to Chang:
- Sensitivity or a burning sensation
- Whitish–yellow, curd–like patches
- Red, inflamed areas
“A Candida overgrowth can also cause angular cheilitis, which results in crusty, red, inflamed areas in the corners of the mouth,” Chang says.
Some people are more prone to oral thrush. For example, your risk for candidiasis goes up if you take certain medications (including steroid inhalers or topicals, and antibiotics), wear dentures, or have a weakened immune system, Chang says.
Research also shows that those who play woodwind and brass instruments are also more susceptible to oral thrush.
What to Do
Candidiasis can be diagnosed by a doctor or a dentist. “Oral thrush and angular cheilitis may be treated with topical or oral antifungals,” Chang says.
Hives
Hives, a skin reaction that results in itchy welts, can happen anywhere on your body, including your mouth and lips. This scratchy skin rash usually occurs due to a specific trigger, Chang says.
Here are some of the most common triggers, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (ACAAI):
- Some foods (especially peanuts, eggs, nuts and shellfish)
- Medications such as antibiotics (especially penicillin and sulfa), aspirin, and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB)
- Insect stings or bites
- Physical stimuli such as pressure, cold, heat, exercise, or sun exposure
- Latex
- Blood transfusions
- Bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections and strep throat
- Viral infections, including the common cold, infectious mononucleosis, and hepatitis
- Pet dander
- Pollen
- Some plants
These triggers cause your immune system to release chemicals (such as histamine) that give rise to the itchy rash.
“Hives present with red, edematous [swollen with fluid], and itchy lesions that typically last less than 24 hours,” Chang says.
Along with scratchiness, hives may also be linked with angioedema, a swelling around your eyes, cheeks, lips, and tongue, Chang says. Angioedema can affect or restrict your breathing and may require emergency care, she adds. There are also forms of hereditary angioedema that will affect the lips or tongue.
If you get hives along with any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention. These may be early signs of anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially fatal allergic reaction:
- Dizziness
- Swelling of your tongue, lips, mouth, or throat
- Trouble breathing
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
What to Do
The best treatment for hives is prevention. In other words, avoid your triggers. When that’s not possible, hives can be treated with antihistamines and, sometimes, steroids, Chang says. For anaphylaxis or other severe allergic reactions, an EpiPen (epinephrine) may be prescribed.
Actinic Cheilitis
Another source of itchy, inflamed lips, actinic cheilitis is caused by chronic, excessive exposure to the sun, Chang says.
Since the skin on your lips is thinner and has less pigment than other areas of skin on your body, it’s more susceptible to sun damage, according to Cleveland Clinic. That’s why certain people — including fair-skinned folks, outdoor workers, seniors, individuals with albinism, and anyone who lives in a region where the sun is stronger — are more likely to acquire actinic cheilitis.
While it typically affects the lower lip, you may notice the following symptoms on one or both lips, according to Cleveland Clinic:
- Dry, scaly, or sandpaper-like skin
- Chapped, cracked, crusty skin
- White or yellow discolored patches of skin
- Swollen, thin, or fragile skin
- Burning or numbness
- Pain, soreness, or tenderness
What to Do
Actinic cheilitis is considered a precancerous condition. Over time, it can develop into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, according to Cleveland Clinic. So, proper treatment is key to prevent malignancy.
If you have any of the above symptoms, see your dermatologist regularly. They can check you for early warning signs of cancer.
“To decrease your skin cancer risk, actinic cheilitis can be treated with topical chemotherapeutics or cryotherapy,” Chang says.
It’s also a good idea to use lip balm that’s at least SPF 30 in order to get effective sun protection, according to Cleveland Clinic.
When Should You See a Doctor About Itchy Lips?
You’ll often be able to ease itchy lips on your own by using topical emollients or moisturizers. If these strategies don’t work, “or if you have any additional associated symptoms [like swelling, bleeding, or drainage], you should consult a physician to evaluate the cause and treat it appropriately,” Chang says.