No matter the weather, we’ve all experienced days where our lips become extremely dry no matter what we do to try to hydrate them. But don't blow them off as nothing. Dry lips, especially severe or chronic dry lips, can be a sign of certain diseases such as Crohn’s Disease, Celiac Disease, and Sjögren’s Syndrome.

Each of these autoimmune diseases cause dehydration, thus causing dry lips. But what exactly are these medical conditions?

This painful, chronic, autoimmune disease causes abdominal pain, weight loss, and severe diarrhea. 

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s Disease is caused by the inflammation of the Gastrointestinal tract. This painful, chronic, autoimmune disease causes abdominal pain, weight loss, and severe diarrhea. Because this disease lowers your body’s ability to nourish your body, your lips can become dried and chapped.

Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder caused by the inflammation and damage of the small intestine. Inflammation is triggered by the consumption of gluten, found in wheat, barley, rye, and spelt products. Common signs and symptoms include diarrhea, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating, gas, weight loss, fatigue, anemia, constipation, cramps, and even a rash. Because the body struggles with nourishment, there is often a nutrient deficiency, which ultimately can lead to dry, cracked lips.

Sjögren’s Syndrome

Sjögren's Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that affects the glands that make saliva and tears, causing dry eyes and dry mouth. Affecting mostly older women, Sjögren's Syndrome can be developed from another autoimmune disease, such as lupus. Individuals with this syndrome may notice a painful burning in the eyes, but also an extremely dry mouth, skin, and nasal passages. You might also notice chronic fatigue syndrome. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you'll want Sjögren syndrome diagnosed.

There are two types of Sjögren syndrome: Primary Sjögren. This is the term used when Sjögren syndrome appears by itself, without any other disease or illness. About 50% of cases are primary. Secondary Sjögren. This is when Sjögren syndrome occurs along with other autoimmune disorders, such as scleroderma, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.

Today, many more doctors are more familiar with this chronic autoimmune disorder.

Sjögren’s Syndrome is often a complication from other autoimmune disorders such as: rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, and Raynaud phenomenon. Some think a virus or bacterial infection often triggers its symptoms.

Is Sjögren’s Syndrome serious?

Sjögren's Syndrome causes extreme dryness in addition to a multitude of other more serious complications. These conditions include chronic pain, intense fatigue, neuropathies causing numbness or tingling, and lymphoma, which further affects the immune system. In some cases, Sjögren's Syndrome can cause nervous system symptoms such as weakness and numbness, arthritis, kidney disease, and muscle inflammation.

Does Sjögren’s Cause Dry Lips?

Yes. Many people who have Sjogren's syndrome experience dry lips as a prominent symptom. The condition can affect any part of the body, but it most commonly affects the mouth and eyes. As with the other autoimmune disorders, the body is unable to properly nourish itself, causing dehydration. This leads to dry eyes, cracked lips, bronchial issues. Similar to the other chronic autoimmune disorders, the body is unable to properly nourish itself, causing dehydration. This leads to dry eyes, cracked lips, bronchial issues, and even neurological problems.

Sjögren's Dry Lips Are A Chief Complaint.

Sjögren syndrome symptoms are numerous. It's a frustrating chronic autoimmune disorder. Among the chief complaints that I hear about is Sjogren's Dry Lips. It is what you think it is, dry lips. It can be very uncomfortable and make wearing lipstick or gloss difficult.

In my line of work, I'm often asked about easing Sjögren syndrome symptoms with regards to dry lips, an area well within my scope of knowledge.

Fact is: it's difficult. Being that Sjogren's syndrome is chronic - so must the care for lips be.

This mouth symptom requires a relentless care regimen, and there are some products to actually help in relieving symptoms (mentioned below).

What Triggers Sjögren’s Syndrome?

Doctors are unsure why some individuals develop Sjögren’s Syndrome and others do not. It’s possible that specific genes cause people to be at a higher risk of this immune disorder. Additionally, this syndrome most affects women over the age of 40, who also have a rheumatic disease such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Because Sjögren’s Syndrome is a complication from another autoimmune disorder, another virus or bacterial infection often triggers its symptoms. These conditions include dental cavities, vision problems, and even yeast infections.

This syndrome most affects women over the age of 40, who also have a rheumatic disease such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

How Is Sjögren Syndrome Treated?

There is no cure for Sjögren’s Syndrome, however there is a Sjögren’s dry lips treatment. Dry eyes can be treated with artificial tears (eye drops) that reduces inflammation. Surprisingly, chewing gum, drinking water, or using medications that stimulate saliva can help lessen the distressing symptoms. In addition, regular dental care can help prevent tooth loss and cavities as a result of complications. Furthermore, there are medications that help to reduce joint pain and other systematic symptoms.

The key is to work with a rheumatologist to help you manage symptoms. Common eye and mouth symptoms can often be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) eye and mouth drops, lips can be handled with a lip balm designed for Sjögren's Syndrome, such as Rallye Balm.

What can I do about it?

Considering that each of these diseases attack the immune system and causes extremely dry skin and lips, it’s important to take into consideration the products to be used when affected. Once the delicate tissue of the lips is damaged, it’s pretty easy to cause more damage.

It is not recommended that someone with these three diseases utilize lip products that contain soy, gluten, corn, GMOs, menthol, camphor, phenol, petrolatum, petroleum, sulfates, aluminum, salts, scents or fragrances.

It has been noted that those with any of these three diseases should carefully monitor and apply antioxidants – anything that helps keep the body clean. So how does this relate back to Sjögren’s dry lips treatment?

What Products Can Help Manage The Dry Lips?

Rallye Balm by Red Apple Lipstick was made to help manage dry lips from conditions such as Sjögren Syndrome, and according to product reviews, it really works.

Red Apple Lipstick sells this product directly, so you'll have to order order it from their website. But the good news is they offer fast shipping, a family pack, and even auto-shipping.

Rallye Balm is a lip balm that’s really very different than other commercially sold balms. This lip balm was made specifically with the treatment of these three conditions in mind.

Rallye Balm is based on a mixture of materials that are intended to penetrate the skin. Certain waxes have too large of a molecule to really sink into the skin well, leading back to the airflow issue mentioned above. But other ingredients work their way into the skin nicely.

The reason I want them to penetrate the skin is because I want them to be the carrier and deployment method of the secret weapon... the Celiac Chap, Sjogren’s chap, Chron’s chapped-lip-busting-ingredient – Vitamin E – from a gluten free, soy free source of course.

The highly concentrated antioxidant keeps free radicals and oxidized cells at bay. This helps your body help itself.

With the free radicals and oxidized cells being removed from the affected tissue, the body doesn’t have to expend energy trying to remove them itself. It can therefore pay more attention to healing damaged skin – which it desperately wants to do.

The second secret weapon is castor seed oil - a super high quality, rich castor seed oil. This is known for its ability to repair damaged skin, soothe aches, sores, and pains.

And DRINK MORE WATER – always drink more water. Andrea reminds me often with a bottle of water. Hire your husband, wife, or roommate to be on water duty for you.