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By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
The skin covering the lips is one of the most sensitive areas on the human body. Lack of sleep, fatigue, a strong wind and cold temperatures can all cause rashes, cracks and other problems.
Lips can also reveal a person's health status. Swollen, blistered or cracked lips hint at tiredness or disorders in other body parts.
Here are seven tips provided by health portal site Kormedi.com on how to keep the lips healthy.
1. If lips get chapped: Many people tend to lick their lips, which often worsens the symptoms. Applying lip balms or other moisturizers is OK, but if the condition persists visit a dermatologist.
2. Blisters around the lips: A herpes virus infection is said to be the main cause for blisters around the mouth. Extreme fatigue exacerbates the condition. Applying Interferon and other anti-viral ointments is recommended.
3. Ulcers inside the mouth: Doctors suspect that viral infection and a weak immune system in conjunction with extreme stress can cause such a condition. Do not touch the ulcer with your tongue. Eating plenty of vegetables and fruits can improve the symptoms. If you observe white mucous inside your mouth, visit a dentist. In rare cases, this can be a sign of oral cancer.
4. Sores on the tongue: the majority of cases are just simple inflammation. Severe stress and malnutrition are suspected causes. Rest can improve the situation.
5. Bad breath: This is mostly linked to inflammation of the gums. However, it can also be sign of diabetes, or disorders of the kidney, liver or nose. Talk to a dentist or a doctor of internal medicine.
6. Dry mouth: Severe stress can interfere with the secretion of saliva. Treatment for hypertension often helps.
7. White coating on the tongue: This is usually linked to a lack of vitamins, but it can be a sign of diabetes or a digestive disorder. Overuse of antibiotics is another cause.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr |
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