Itchy Lips? Here’s What Your Body’s Trying to Tell You

There's no denying it: Dry, chapped, itchy lips can be uncomfortable.

While most of the time itchy lips are just a sign that you need to invest in a better lip balm, sometimes the persistent prickly sensation can be an indication of a more serious health issue.

Here, Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology, discusses the most common causes of itchy lips, plus ways to find relief from the itching.

"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 experience peeling, mild pain and sores on your lips and in your mouth, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

This common inflammatory lip condition can be triggered by many things such as chronic lip licking or an infection, Dr. Chang says. "Less common causes of cheilitis include nutritional deficiencies, including vitamin B and iron deficiencies, as well as autoimmune disorders," she adds.

Allergic contact cheilitis is allergic contact dermatitis that affects the lips. Caused by contact with an irritating substance or an allergic response to it, contact dermatitis develops into an itchy, uncomfortable rash, according to the Mayo Clinic.

"This unpleasant lip issue can create an eczema-like reaction on or around the lips" leading to dryness, scaling and cracking, Dr. Chang says.

Common irritant or allergic triggers include, per Dr. Chang:

• Lipsticks, lip balms and other cosmetics
• Toothpaste, mouthwash and metals found in other dental materials/products
• Fragrances
• Preservatives
• Certain foods (for example, mango, citrus fruits and cinnamon)
• Certain medications

Your itchy lips may be linked to what's in your medicine cabinet. Yep, certain medications can produce a prickly reaction in your lips. This is called drug-related cheilitis, Dr. Chang says.

Some common culprits include retinoids (like isotretinoin, acitretin and etretinate), antiretroviral drugs (such as protease inhibitors like indinavir), lithium and chemotherapy agents, she says.

Atopic dermatitis (also called eczema) is a chronic condition that produces dry, itchy and inflamed skin. And it can develop anywhere on the body, including the lips.

"Those with atopic dermatitis can have atopic cheilitis," Dr. Chang says. "These patients tend to have a personal or family history of atopy [i.e., the genetic predisposition to develop allergic diseases] including eczema, hay fever and asthma," she says.

Adding insult to injury, people with eczema on the lips are also more prone to allergic or irritant contact cheilitis, Dr. Chang adds.

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," Dr. Chang says.

Herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1), the virus that causes cold sores, spreads through affected saliva or skin, according to the Cleveland Clinic. That means you can contract 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," Dr. Chang says.

Certain factors can increase the frequency of fever blisters, she says. These include:

• Recent fever or illness
• Fatigue
• Emotional stress
• Excessive sun exposure
• Menstruation
• Immune suppression

A fungal infection may be initiating 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," Dr. Chang says.

Normally, candida fungus lives in your mouth without producing any problems, according to the Mayo Clinic. But when your system becomes imbalanced, it can lead to an overgrowth of fungus and foster unpleasant symptoms.

In addition to an intense itch, Dr. Chang points out that oral thrush can also create the following issues inside the mouth:

• 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," Dr. Chang adds.

Some people are more prone to oral thrush. For example, your risk for candidiasis increases if you take certain medications (including steroid inhalers or topicals and antibiotics), if you wear dentures or if you're immunosuppressed, Dr. Chang says.

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, Dr. Chang says.

Here are some of the most common, per the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI):

• Some foods (especially peanuts, eggs, nuts and shellfish)
• Medications, such as antibiotics (especially penicillin and sulfa), aspirin and ibuprofen
• 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 [i.e., swollen with fluid] and itchy lesions that typically last less than 24 hours," Dr. Chang says.

Along with scratchiness, hives may also be associated with angioedema, a swelling around the eyes, cheeks, lips and tongue, Dr. 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.

Another source of itchy, inflamed lips, actinic cheilitis is caused by chronic, excessive exposure to the sun, Dr. 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 the 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, per the Cleveland Clinic.

While it typically affects the lower lip, you may experience the following symptoms in one or both lips, per the 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

You'll often be able to ease itchy lips on your own by using topical emollients or moisturizers. If these strategies aren't effective "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," Dr. Chang says.