The Lips are often associated with beauty but their condition can also speak volumes about your general health . Here are the problems to watch out for :
Cracked lips
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Cracks at the side of the mouth (angular cheilities) are sometimes due to anaema , which occurs when there is a shortage of iron in the body .
Cracks can also be a sign of diabetes , because the high level of blood glucose which accompanies the diease encourages the growth of candida , a yeast-like infection which typically attacks the thin dermis at the corners of the mouth .
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This can be a strong indicator of poor health . Swollen lips are sometimes caused by Crohn's dieases , which normally causes swelling in the bowel but can inflame the lymph ducts at any point in the body . Swollen lips can also indicate a food sensitivy .
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Persistently sore , chapped lips can indicate an allergy . This can swell the lips slightly , which causes the skin to crack and peel . the irritant could be anything from dentist's gloves to lipstick or peanuts . Pay attention to your cosmetics and consider an allergy test .
This is another allergy symptom , increasingly caused by the high consumption of carbonated drinks . Doctors report seeing more people who have developed an allergy to the benzoic acid content of fizzy drinks and toothpaste , probably because they are consuming them in greater quantities .
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Cold sores are caused when there is a reactivation of the herpes virus . Once you have contracted the virus it never leaves your body , and recurrent cold sores are usually a sign that your immune system has been laid low . It can also point to a poor diet . Any sore that lasts longer than 15 days should be checked by a doctor.
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Heart conditions and lug problems both affect the amount of oxygen being carried in the blood , and when this level drops significantly the lips take on a bluish tone , instead of a healthy deep pink . Pale pink lips are a common side-effect of anaemia .
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This is often what is known as 'Lick Eczema' . The skin on the lips contains fewer sebaceous glands than the rest of the skin and so is prone to dying out faster than other areas.
When children or adults lick their lips excessively they dry out the few oils there are , leaving the tissue and area around the mouth dry and vulnerable to infections . Try applying Vaseline to the area and give up the habit .
by LUCY ELKINS
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: N.shafiqa JR
: Piekahiekah@yahoo.com
