article about lip balm addiction (LBA)

[angelthelson]

A recent study Dr. Brad Radu at the University of Alabama at Birmingham indicates lip balm can have harmful effects. See further info below. LBA will be monitoring this study closely and will bring you further updates.

Overuse of a balm or jelly creates a crust on the lips which traps bacteria and fungi creating a state of permanent inflammation. The lips become irritated and the temptation is to apply even more balm, which just exacerbates the problem. To avoid this condition, known as cheilitis, it's a good idea to leave off lip balms and jellies every now - rather than routinely applying them each morning - so you give your lips a chance to 'breathe' naturally.


what do you think ladies??

[kitsch_k]

this is scary..my lip balm is one of my essentials..i cant live without it!

[LizF]

Also, is it just me, or does lip balm make you really thirsty? I always get dry mouth when i wear lip balm.

[kitsch_k]

Originally Posted by LizF

Also, is it just me, or does lip balm make you really thirsty? I always get dry mouth when i wear lip balm.

i notice that too!! im fond of licking my lips (it's a bad habit) and wearing lip balm does make me thirsty.

[littlecat123]

I definitely think you can get addicted to lip balm -- its happened to me! My lips hurt without it! I don't know about the whole trapping bacteria thing though. I think your lips just get used to being moist and hurt when they dry out.

[carebear]

I believe this. I went through it before I checked it out. My lips didn't feel the same without balm. I now leave it off most of the day and now they feel better.

Same with my feet and lotion. My feet feel lame without lotion. I left it off for a week and they feel better without it now. I wonder if it's the same thing.

[xaphania]

That's interesting. I only tend to use lip balm once or twice a day, but my sister is constantly applying it.

I'll be sure to tell her about this though.

[britjojo]

I can potentially believe that there is a bacterial issue with some lip balms when over used, because the human mouth is a filthy place. But I think that is why so many contains anti bacterial agents.

I personally only ever use all natural lipbalms, and still it has a natural antibaterial in it.