Dry and cracked lips are certainly very annoying and make lip movements uncomfortable. Even sometimes chapped lips feel sore because it's easy to hurt. So, what if this happens to a newborn baby? Why is the baby's lips dry and cracked at birth? What are the signs that the baby's lips are dry and cracked?
Dry and cracked newborn lips, is it normal?
If you see a baby's lips dry and cracked at birth, basically this is not a dangerous sign. This is a common problem that occurs in most newborns.
Even most babies still look comfortable and drink breast milk well when experiencing this condition.
Even so, you should overcome chapped lips as soon as possible because the lips with that condition can have a bad impact when the baby is moving his lips. Sometimes, cracked lips can also cause serious infections.
Chapped lip problems in these babies can usually heal using natural treatment in just a few days.
However, if in addition to dry and cracked lips there are other signs and symptoms that accompany, for example, the baby looks in pain and dry and cracked lips do not heal for a long time, you need to consult a doctor.
Signs of dry baby lips
- Lips appear sore, red, or dry
- Lips feel dry when touched
- Cracks that appear on the surface of the lips can become deeper over time
- There are cracks that bleed
- The skin darkens around the lips
Why is the baby's lips cracked and dry at birth?
Release of the skin layer
Newborns usually release a few layers of skin after birth. This is done to adjust to the world outside the mother's womb. This is a normal process, and indeed will make the skin peel and look dry.
Baby skin sensitivity
Some babies have skin that is more sensitive than other babies. The sensitive skin of the baby's lips will then be very easily affected by cosmetic effects.
For example, cracked lips occur when someone kisses a baby using facial makeup so that it can trigger a rash and cause cracks on the lips. Fabrics, tissues, lotions and skincare or cosmetic creams can trigger a reaction on the lips of some babies.
Babies like to suck and lick their lips
Newborns have a very strong instinct to suck so they can continue to suck or lick their own lips. Yes, the baby may do it when he is not breastfeeding.
Well, this habit can cause dry lips because saliva on the lips evaporates and makes the surface of this skin become more dehydrated.
Babies are dehydrated
Newborns can also become dehydrated if they don't get enough milk. Plus if the weather feels hot. This can interfere with the moisture of the baby's lips.
These are the signs that a newborn is dehydrated:
- The fontanel or baby fontanel is concave
- Sunken eyes
- Crying without tears
- Cold hands and feet
- Heart beating fast
- Dry skin
- Babies look limp
If your baby's lips are dry and cracked and the signs above, your baby may become dehydrated.
Certain drugs
Chapped lips can also occur due to the use of certain drugs used by newborns. This is a side effect of the use of drugs that will disappear if the drug is stopped. Discuss with your doctor if these dry and cracked lips arise from the use of drugs to find the most appropriate solution.
Changes in the weather
Erratic weather can attract moisture from the skin and can make the baby's lips dry to crack. Hot, cold or windy weather can make your lips crack.
Kawasaki disease
Kawasaki disease is a disease that causes inflammation in blood vessels and prolonged fever. This fever can occur for 5 days or more in infants, and one characteristic is chapped lips, bright red followed by swollen hands and feet, and reddish color on the palm. Usually this disease appears at the age of 6 months - 2 years, rarely under 3 months.