|Causes| Symptoms | 12 Easy Tips To Treat|
Chapped lips in pregnancy are a common problem. Women start paying attention to their pregnancy symptoms as soon as their pregnancy test is positive. One sign that catches many by surprise is chapped lips in pregnancy. In early pregnancy, chapped lips can indicate that you are not consuming enough liquids. During late pregnancy, excessive blood flow in the nasal passages causes many women to breathe through their mouth causing dry lips. The good news is there are simple to treat the pain and irritation of chapped lips in pregnancy.
Causes of Chapped Lips in Pregnancy
Below are the main and common causes of chapped lips in pregnancy.
Dehydration
During the pregnancy period, the body tends to retain more fluid, the surface of the lips skin often suffers from lack of moisture which makes chapped lips in pregnancy. In pregnancy, baby needs a lot of hydration to grow properly, and he will extract it from your body until you are dry and flaky. Dry chapped lips are one of the major symptoms of Pregnancy.
Mouth Breathing
Breathing via mouth is also one of the major causes of chapped lips during pregnancy. Mouth breathing makes the mouth dry and dehydrated.
Saliva Deficiency
We need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouth and helps digest our food and prevents bacteria and fungi in the mouth. Saliva keeps our mouth moist but when don’t produce enough saliva, our mouth gets dry and uncomfortable. Dry mouth happens because of the hormonal changes during pregnancy, which lead to several chemical changes. It is commonly experienced in the first 3 months of pregnancy and mostly worsens at night. If you have a dry mouth, you may also have a stuffy nose, headaches, metallic taste in the mouth, chapped lips during pregnancy.
Symptoms of Chapped Lips in Pregnancy
Here are the common symptoms of chapped lips in pregnancy.
1. A change in your sense of taste
2. A burning feeling in your mouth or throat
3. Tooth decay
4. Dryness inside your nose
5. A sore throat
6. You may have trouble speaking
7. Hoarseness
8. Hot flashes
9. Indigestion
Tips for Chapped Lips in Pregnancy
You can follow these simple and easy tips to ease chapped lips in pregnancy problems.
Stay Hydrated
Keep drinking water as much as possible. Keep a bottle of water handy to drink water at a regular basis. You can also suck on small pieces of ice to keep your mouth wet and hydrated. By staying hydrated you can easily treat chapped lips in pregnancy.
Avoid Lips Licking
Avoid the habit of licking your lips and try to get back into the habit of breathing through your nose. When you breathe by mouth, your mouth becomes dry.
Don’t Be Panic
Keep in mind that chapped lips in pregnancy may be annoying but they are generally harmless, so don’t be panic.
Use of Lip Balm
Apply a good lip balm to your lips 3 to 4 times per day. Lip balm helps to trap moisture, relieving dryness, so if needed, apply after bathing or moisturize your lips with a wet washcloth. Always apply the lip balm every time you go outside, especially during the dry winter season.
Humidifier Your Room
If your house air is dry, use a humidifier in your bedroom when you sleep or take rest. A humidifier will add moisture to the air in the room and prevent the mucous membranes in your mouth and nose from drying out.
Breathing
Always try to breathe through your nose at all times, even during sleeping, to make sure that water doesn’t evaporate from your mouth by breathing.
Stop Alcohol Consuming
Avoid consuming alcohol or coffee during the pregnancy period. In addition to all the other dangers, they can also cause dehydration in the body, So avoid them completely in pregnancy.
Avoid smoking cigarettes
Smoking has been known to worsen the condition of the dry throat during the pregnancy period. Quit smoking completely as cigarettes are toxic to the body.
Gum Chewing
Chew gum (sugar-free) as the action of chewing stimulates the production of saliva in the mouth.
Oral Hygiene
Practice good oral hygiene regularly. Brush your teeth in the morning, night, and after every meal. Though it might seem excessive, these precautions are essential during pregnancy.
Coconut Water
Drink tender coconut water during pregnancy. It is full of vitamins and minerals, and also contains electrolytes that can balance the buffer in your blood.
Healthy diet
Follow a healthy, balanced diet replete with green veggies, whole grains, nuts, and lean meats. Avoid eating foods high in sodium as it can lead to water loss from the body.