Can Vitamin Deficiencies Cause Chapped Lips?

B vitamin deficiency

B vitamins include B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), and B12 (cobalamin). 

B vitamins are involved in various important functions in the body, including energy generation, cell/tissue repair, healthy skin maintenance, and wound healing. Deficiencies of folate, riboflavin, pyridoxine, and cobalamin have been specifically associated with chapped lips. This may occur due to several reasons, such as highly restrictive diets (vegan or vegetarian diets) and disorders of nutrient absorption (such as atrophic gastritis and Crohn’s disease) or crash diets.

Iron deficiency

Iron is a crucial mineral that forms a part of the oxygen-carrying pigment hemoglobin. It is involved in other essential functions, including cell and tissue repair, red blood cell formation, and inflammation regulation. Iron deficiency can cause dry, cracked, and sore lips, typically affecting the corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis) and leading to other symptoms such as pale complexion, fatigue, difficulty breathing, and poor stamina.

Zinc deficiency

Zinc plays a crucial role in immune system function, digestion, growth, development, and reproduction. Chapped lips due to zinc deficiency may be associated with other symptoms, such as stomach upset, low immunity, hair loss, and skin inflammation.

Vitamin C deficiency

Vitamin C has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Vitamin C stimulates healing and is a common ingredient in lip balms and skin creams. In addition to causing swollen and bleeding gums, vitamin C deficiency can result in dry, cracked lips. 

Aside from nutritional deficiencies, other factors that can cause chapped lips may include:

• Cold weather
• Hot or dry weather
• Licking the lips too often
• Sunburn (actinic cheilitis)
• Dehydration
• Allergies (including contact dermatitis due to the use of harsh skin products)
• Thyroid disorders
• Fungal infections
• Bacterial infections
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Autoimmune conditions, such as Behcet’s syndrome
• Certain medications, such as antihistamines, certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, antidepressants, and some topical medications (such as retinol, benzoyl peroxide, camphor, and salicylic acid)

Treatment of chapped lips generally involves managing symptoms (such as dryness, pain, irritation, or bleeding) along with treating the underlying condition (such as mineral or vitamin deficiencies, allergies, and infections):

• Take vitamin or mineral supplements if you have underlying nutritional deficiencies
• Applying lip balms containing healing ingredients such as castor oil, shea butter, or petrolatum
• Protecting the lips from sun exposure (some lip balms contain titanium oxide or zinc oxide.)
• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid licking, picking, or biting your lips
• Avoid using harsh skin care products and contact with metallic objects (such as pins, paper clips, or jewelry) 
• Take antibiotic or antifungal medications if prescribed to treat skin infections