Cheilitis simplex (run-of-the-mill chapped lips) can usually be healed with at-home remedies like drinking more water and using nonirritating lip balms. But if your chapped lips are severe or don’t heal within a few weeks, you may need to see a doctor who can make an official diagnosis and recommend targeted therapies.
To diagnose chapped lips, your doctor will ask about your symptoms, take a careful medical history, and do a clinical examination. They may also need to do allergy testing or take a swab of your lips to check for infection. In some cases, a biopsy may be necessary to examine the tissue closely and confirm the diagnosis, as with actinic cheilitis.
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