Women suffering from a burning sensation around the lips often report that they tend to withdraw from family and friends, becoming less socially active and more vulnerable to depression and anxiety. Fortunately, there are ways to lessen its impact on your life.
Check out the main causes and solutions for a burning sensation on the lips so you can take the proper measures to be rid of this harrying symptom.
Causes of Burning Lips Sensation
Burning lips is a particularly unpleasant sensation occurring in middle-aged women for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, it is also accompanied by other symptoms, such as swelling, pain, or hypersensitivity to food.
The sensation of burning lips varies in its duration and severity, depending on the underlying cause, which might include the following conditions:
Hormonal causes
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS), also known as burning tongue, is characterized by a burning sensation in the inner part of the lower lip as well as the tongue, throat, gums, and roof of the mouth. It occurs because of fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone during menopause that affect saliva production and taste bud function, thus causing a burning sensation around the mouth.
Other causes
- Vitamin deficiencies of B12 and B9, zinc, and iron
- Infections, such as herpes simplex
- Allergies to a cosmetic product, drug, food component, or other substance in the environment
- Chemical or thermal burns resulting from an exposure to toxic chemicals, steam, or a sunburn
- Stroke, which is sometimes accompanied by lip burning sensation along with other classic stroke symptoms, such as weakness in the arms or legs, blurry speech, or confusion
- Oral cancer might also give off symptoms, such as burning lips and painful sores
Solutions for Burning Lips Sensation
Although a burning lips sensation can sometimes signal a more serious medical condition, the majority of the cases are not harmful and can be improved with the following practices:
Manage burning lips sensation:
- Infections can be treated with antibiotics and anti-fungal medications as well as antimicrobial ointments.
- Most vitamin deficiencies can be cured with a balanced diet filled with healthy fats, rich protein sources, legumes, and green leafy vegetables or supplements.
- Hormonal imbalances can be naturally resolved with phytoestrogens and hormone-regulating supplements.
Keep your lips well hydrated and soft:
- Exfoliate regularly with natural remedies. You can make a simple mixture with sugar and honey or oatmeal and turmeric. Apply it to your lips and gently massage them in a circular motion.
- Find a natural lip balm that has olive oil, lanolin, shea butter, or beeswax, and keep it handy throughout the day. If it has SPF and vitamin E, that is even better.
- Avoid licking or biting your lips, which can cause them to dry out and weaken their skin surface
Reduce the burning lips sensation:
- Fresh aloe vera straight from the leaf can bring soothing and cooling to the burning lips.
- Gentle lip massage with ice cubes can bring relief from the painful burning sensation. Use caution because ice can adhere to the skin and cause more damage.
- Cut down on spicy and salty foods, such as chips, that might irritate the delicate skin on the lips and cause it to burn.
- Stay well hydrated to avoid your lips from getting dry and cracked, which might worsen the condition.
Many menopausal women also suffer from a burning tongue and mouth sensation, causing them to avoid eating or drinking in fear that it will aggravate the painful experience, which might lead to dehydration and poor nutrition.
If you struggle with burning tongue and mouth, find out some natural and effective burning tongue treatments so that you can get relief from it now.
Sources
- Harvard Health Publishing. (2013). Vitamin B12 deficiency can be sneaky, harmful. Retrieved January 30, 2019, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/vitamin-b12-deficiency-can-be-sneaky-harmful-201301105780
- Mayo Clinic. (2017). Burning mouth syndrome: Symptoms & causes. Retrieved January 30, 2019, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/burning-mouth-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20350911
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. (n.d.). Burning Mouth. Retrieved January 30, 2019, from https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/burning-mouth