Healthy Lips  

This page provides some practical lifestyle tips to help you maintain healthy lips. The tree common problems affecting the lips are chapping, cold sores and angular stomatitis:

Chapped lips refer to a common condition in which the lips become dry, cracked and sore. If marked, this can lead to bleeding and secondary infection^.  A number of other factors contribute to it’s incidence and severity of chapped lips including overexposure to the sun or cold wind, dehydration particularly associated with alcohol intake. The incidence and severity of chapped lips significantly increases to over 67% during and after chemotherapy. Other drugs which cause oral dryness including codeine, opiates, anti cholinergics and aromatase inhibitors.   Professor Thomas conducted and published a study which showed that people who regularly used natural based creams during chemotherapy had a better perceived benefit compared to petroleum based products. This study also observed that patients who had chapped lips where more likely to develop cold sores. (see full paper in Focus on Cancer medicine). 

Cold sores: A number of infective conditions can affect the lips including bacteria and fungi, but the most common in the community, by far, is the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Acute episodes are characterised by the presence of red, swollen areas on the mucous membrane or skin, with fluid-filled blisters which can be disfiguring and painful.  The HSV, once caught, lies dormant in the facial nerve ganglion.  Cold sore episodes occur when the HSV migrates down the nerve to the dermis in and around the lips.  Although strategies to prevent an acute episode have so far been unsuccessful topical or systemic anti-viral agents such as acyclovir, docosanol, penciclovir or valacyclovir, have been shown to shorten the length of the attack if used early in an episode.

The precise triggers for these acute episodes are not certain, but there are associations with iron deficiency, psychological stress and a history of aphthous ulcers. The research study, mentioned above, published  in the Journal Focus on Cancer Medicine, suggests that there is a link between chapped lips and cold sores, as 79-82% of patients with cold sores also suffered from chapped lips, as opposed to 18-21% who did not.  This study suggest that if you prevent chapping you may be able to prevent an episode of cold sores. 

Angular stomatitis: Is a  term which describes red, cracking and soreness at the the corner of the mouth. Unlike chapped lips and cold sores it can often be present for several months and does not tend to come and go. As well as cracked the area is often moist. If severe it can bleed. The most common cause of this is a fugal infection. Ask you GP for some anti-fungal lozenges or buy some anti-fungal cream over the counter and apply to the courner of the mouth for 10 days. After that it is important to protect and moisten the area with a good wax based lip cream such as natureMedical listed below

For chapped lips and cold sores we have received anecdotal reports from users of our nutritional testing service that after correcting an essential mineral and vitamin imbalance their frequency of cold sores have diminished. If your lips do not improve with regular moisturising with natureMedical cream we advise looking at measuring the levels of micro-nutrients in the diet to see if there is an excess or deficiency in the levels of essential nutrients which may effect the immunity.

What can you do to protect your lips:

• Moisturise your lips from the start of chemotherapy
• Use a natural oil based lip balm regularly (see natureMedical lip balm)
• Apply balms more liberally before flying or before drinking alcohol
• Avoid dehydration - drink enough throughout the day
• Before sun exposure apply a sun screen and a natural lip balm afterwards
• Protect the lips from the wind
• Ensure a good nutrition (if chapping or old sores persistent consider nmicro-utritional testing)
• Avoid licking the lips excessively
• Exercise regularly to help fight psychological distress
• Apply anti-virals (acyclovir, docosanol, penciclovir or valacyclovir) as soon as the tingling of cold sores starts
• If more than one cold sore develops during chemotherapy consider oral anti-virals early

Measure essential micro-nutrients

A deficiency or an excess of micro nutrients such as
 - Vitamins,
- Antioxidants
- Enzymes
- Essential minerals 
- Fatty acids
can lead to an increase risk of cancer and chronic illnesses. You can now measure you body's levels and empower yourself you correct your levels through diet or if necessary selected supplements
 ...read more / order

natureMedical lip remedy

From £1.99 a tube

What is natureMedical skin balm? A unique combination of natural waxes  selected to moisturise, soothe and protect the lips especially during the strain of chemotherapy The added essential herbal oils have been carefully selected for their ant-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. The ingredients are completely natural and organic.

Design:  A leading cancer doctor with a special interest in lifestyle and natural products.

Indications: Treating and preventing chapped lips. Also can be used for softening and moisturizing the nail beds. Soothing stubborn patches of very dry flaky skin. Can be used during chemotherapy or after exposure to wind and sun such as skiing or sailing.

Development: Patients receiving chemotherapy have a 67% chance of marked lips sores. Professor Thomas conducted a study which showed that people who used natural based creams had a better perceived benefit compared to petroleum based products. The study also observed that patients who had chapped lips where more likely to develop cold sores. (see full paper). He then worked with natureMedical and traditional therapists to find the perfect combination of natural waxes and oils to have the maximum softening and moisturizing anti-inflammatory and DNA stabilizing benefits.  It was tested only on healthy volunteers and has passed all European Unit cosmetics standards and safety checks (see full product license). EU compliant 76/768/EEC. 

Ingredients: All completely natural with absolutely no artificial chemicals, parabens, hydrocarbons or fragrances:

• Waxes and butters: Bees wax (Cera Alba), Extra virgin organic cold pressed Olive oil (Olea Europaea), Organic Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii), Cocoa seed butter (Theobroma Cacao).
• Essential oils: African sage: (Tarchonanthus Camphoratus Oil (Leleschwa), Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Oil , Lavandula Spica (Lavender) Flower Oil.
• Traces:  Linalool, Limonene Farnesol   

Buy natureMedical balm securely online via paypal using credit or debit card 
Supplied stylish tubes. Delivered within 5 days (Larger orders please contact us).....

Price options

2 Balm tubes £4.90 4 Balm tubes £8.90 8 Balm tubes £15.90

(If there are any issues with your order please email health-education@clara.co.uk)

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