Health Tip: Protect Your Lips

(HealthDay News) -- The weather and other factors can cause painful, chapped lips that can peel and crack. Although beeswax and petroleum jelly can help chapped lips hurt less, it''s better to prevent than treat.

Here are some ways to keep your lips soft and healthy, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• Apply a protective lip balm before going outside -- particularly when the weather is very dry or cold.
• At home, make sure there is moisture in the air to keep your lips from drying out. Also be sure to drink plenty of water, especially during the cold winter months.
• Protect your lips with sunscreen when you''ll be outside in the sun.
• Even with sunscreen, try not to stay in the sun too long.

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: Oct. 11, 2006