Are you aware of the fact that almost all the part of your body is vulnerable to sun poisoning?
The main hot spots are your forehead, cheeks, shoulders and the most affected ones your lips.
But why only lips?
For the answer, first have a look at some of the facts related to one of the most sensitive parts of the body.
Your lips…..
- Lips are one of the most sensitive part of the body.
- They have numerous nerve endings.
- They do not have any defensive membrane for protection.
- Lips are devoid of sweat glands and hence do not sweat, thus dry faster.
- Just like fingerprints, lips are also unique.
- In comparison to rest part of the skin, lips are the only organ that has only 3-6 layers of cells.
- They lack natural protective oils.
- Lips turn thinner with age.
- They have almost no melanin like rest of the skin.
- Lips are susceptible to sun damage.
- Especially young lips that of children and teens, are more vulnerable to UV damage.
- They need daily UVA/UVB protection.
- They are the most common spot of skin cancer.
Sun Poisoning on Lips
The sun causes long lasting damage to the lips.
How?
Collagen, a protein that gives elasticity to the skin, gets damaged when exposed to the sun.
Too much sun exposure causes collagen protein to denature, it gets remodelled from its natural 3D state further causing the lips to wrinkle.
Thus fine lines start to develop around the face.
Prolonged exposure to the sun results in the development of a condition called as actinic cheilitis commonly called as “farmers lip” or “sailors lip”.
People with this problem face continuous dryness, cracking, pernicious lesions and extensive wrinkles.
Sun and its Burning Effects
Most of us are aware that UV rays decrease during the winter months.
Is it so?
Not really…
UV rays are present all the year round , only the levels of UVB decreases in winters, but the levels of UVA rays remains constant in the environment.
The burning effects of the sun rays multiplies when they get reflected from sand or water, at higher altitudes there is an increased risk because the air here is thinner and thus screens fewer sun rays.
Symptoms of Sun Poisoning on Lips
Even if you are not experiencing any symptoms, damage can occur. Absence of surface sunburns doesn’t imply that the underlying layers are not damaged.
A study has revealed that over 3,500 new cases of lip skin cancer are diagnosed every year and amongst them the major ones are squamous cell carcinoma cancers.
So can your lips be prevented from the allergic reactions of sun?
Yes, by identifying the symptoms present on lips.
Let’s discuss some of them in detail.
- Sun poisoning on lips starts with reddening, ache and aggravation.
- After a few hours you start seeing your lips turning rosy.
- You also find them warm to touch.
- Itching and drying starts after prolonged exposure.
- In some cases, inflammation also occurs.
- The blisters may increase in size depending on how serious is sun poisoning.
- As time passes, large blisters may also develop on the skin.
- It is followed by pus or watery liquid filled hives.
- In some cases, the inflammation also reaches the tongue and may cause it to swell.
- Due to inflammation, your lips may become fat and bigger than normal and you may also feel intense pain.
- And because of this, you may find difficulty in eating, swallowing, drinking, talking and even opening your mouth.
All the above symptoms mean that you and your lips are having an allergic reaction to sun.
So What To Do If You Get The Above Allergic Symptoms?
Fortunately there are many remedies available at home that are easy to use and economical too.
- Apply Aloe Vera.
- Apply cod liver oil.
- A paste of honey, turmeric, margosa leaves and basil leaves also does wonders.
- Rub cucumber.
But if your lips are prone to chapping, cracking and dryness you have to be extra careful for their protection.