Persistent Dry Lips: Seeking Solutions After 8 Months
I'm a 22-year-old female, standing at 152cm tall and weighing 50kg. For the past two years, I've been taking 2mg of melatonin and have been managing a non-cancerous pituitary tumor that my doctors advised not to remove, as it’s safer to leave it be; I've had this condition for five years. Additionally, I’m a social vaper. This is my first post in this subreddit, and while my issue may seem trivial, it's quite bothersome to me. Eight months ago, I underwent wisdom tooth extraction. At that time, my dentist informed me to expect dry lips for about a week or two and provided me with petroleum jelly to use as a remedy. However, my lips never really recovered, and after I ran out of the petroleum jelly, I switched to a dermal cream, which I’ve been applying since. I haven’t experienced any burning or blistering, just persistent dryness. Initially, I tried to adapt to it, but now I find myself quite frustrated. Recently, I discussed my dry lips with my doctor, who suggested that I wait three months to get a thyroid test. I'm considering seeking a second opinion, but I'm hesitant since I'm worried that another doctor might recommend the same waiting period. I really don’t want to endure this discomfort for another three months!
Answers (1)
3/26/2025, 8:50:40 AM
OpenHealth AI
Main Points
Persistent dry lips for eight months can be bothersome, and while you’re waiting for further medical evaluations, there are practical steps you can take to alleviate discomfort. Areas to consider include hydration, potential irritants, and moisturizing techniques.
Explanation
Dry lips can be caused by various factors, including environmental conditions (like dry air), dehydration, dietary deficiencies (such as lack of certain vitamins), and personal habits such as vaping. Since you've had persistent dryness since your wisdom tooth extraction, it’s possible that the change in your mouth’s moisture balance or minor impacts from the procedure could have contributed.
Your current use of a dermal cream might not be effective if it's not specifically formulated for lips. Additionally, since you are a social vaper, it’s important to note that nicotine and other chemicals can further contribute to dryness.
Next Steps
- Hydration: Ensure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Consider increasing your fluid intake if you feel you may be dehydrated.
- Lip Balm: Switch to a lip balm that contains hydrating ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, or coconut oil. Avoid products with heavy fragrances or flavors which can irritate sensitive skin further.
- Avoid Irritants: Try to minimize your exposure to irritants which could worsen your dry lips. This includes both direct irritants like certain food or skincare products, as well as avoiding excessive vaping if possible.
- Humidify: Consider using a humidifier in your living environment, especially if you are in a dry climate or using heating during colder months.
- Dietary Check-In: Evaluate your diet to ensure you’re getting sufficient vitamins and nutrients, particularly vitamin B, which can impact skin health.
If symptoms persist after implementing these self-care strategies, consider seeking that second opinion sooner rather than waiting for the thyroid test. This way, you can express your concerns about the prolonged discomfort directly and discuss alternative tests or evaluations that could provide relief.
Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions, or need further guidance!
Related Questions
Is It Safe to Enjoy Alcohol After Taking DayQuil?
This morning, I had a dose of the Walgreens generic version of DayQuil, approximately between 10 and 11 AM. Considering I might want to have a few drinks later this evening, around 10 or 11 PM, I’m curious if that would be a safe choice. Perhaps I’m thinking of having about three drinks. If there are any concerns regarding this, I will reconsider my plans. As a healthy 22-year-old woman who has recently recovered from an illness, I took my final dosage of DayQuil this morning for precautionary reasons. Your input would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!
Experiencing Excessively Warm Palms?
I've had this issue since childhood. At random times throughout the day, I notice that my palms become very warm. They don’t feel like they’re burning, but they get uncomfortably humid, pink, and almost too hot, as if I’m overheating. Immersing them in cold water provides temporary relief, but the warm sensation tends to return after a day or two. At night, a similar problem affects my legs; even mild warmth prompts excessive sweating while I sleep. I find that forgoing a blanket helps alleviate the discomfort a bit, but, like with my hands, I’m on the lookout for a more effective remedy, especially since this has been increasingly troublesome. Just to give you some context, I’m a 28-year-old male in decent health. Could there be an underlying reason for these symptoms?
Is My Recurring Hand Eczema Linked to My Cockatiels?
Greetings! I have a query that I hope someone could help with. I’m a 25-year-old man, and I’ve been dealing with persistent hand eczema for quite some time. The affected region consistently appears on the back of my hand, particularly around my knuckles and extending toward my thumb. The rash manifests itself as small spots that range from red to a more salmon hue. Interestingly, I own some cockatiels, and during a period when I was away from them, my condition seemed to improve. However, since returning and observing them flapping around, which disturbs the sand in their cage, the eczema has reemerged. Could there be a connection between my birds and this localized skin issue? Or given that the same areas are consistently impacted, might this indicate a different underlying cause?
Discomfort in the Throat: Seeking Insight
Hello, I'm a 21-year-old assigned female at birth. I feel a bit foolish for being concerned about this; I often find myself overanalyzing my feelings and battling my anxiety. For the last several days—though my memory isn't the best, I believe it's been approximately four days to a week—I’ve been experiencing a peculiar sensation in my throat. It’s not painful, and there aren't any noticeable changes when I feel it or check in the mirror; my partner hasn't observed any differences either. The sensation feels somewhat like a mix of numbness and tingling. Interestingly, the discomfort diminishes when I lie down or support my head with a cushion or plush toy, and it also eases when I gently press on my throat. Is this something typical that people experience, or do you think it's worth consulting a doctor? I would feel a bit embarrassed to schedule an appointment for something I perceive as trivial, if that makes sense. • Medications: paroxetine (30mg daily) and alprazolam (between 0.25mg and 1mg daily) • Diagnoses: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), social anxiety Thank you for your understanding. Wishing you a wonderful day!
Is Frequent Ejaculation Harmful?
Age: 20 Height: 6'1" Weight: 180 lbs Fitness Level: Physically active and muscular Medications: None Recently, I had an encounter with a woman in her early 40s, whom I met online. During her work trip, we got together at her hotel from one afternoon until the following morning, and we ended up having intercourse a total of ten times. Each time, we used protection. The next day, after returning to my dorm, I felt fine initially—showered and attended my classes without any issues. However, by evening, I began to experience some discomfort in my testicles. The following morning, this discomfort escalated, radiating to the base of my shaft. Importantly, there are no signs of bruising, swelling, or any visible injuries. I noticed that during the last few orgasms, I ejected very little semen, which is unusual for me. This leads me to wonder: Is it possible that I could have inflicted some type of internal damage on my testicles? Given that we were engaged in doggy style for a majority of our sessions, could the repeated movements have caused any internal harm over that extended period? Today, while the soreness has dulled slightly, there’s still pain when I touch my testicles or when I sit. Should I consider consulting a healthcare professional about this situation?