Winter time - What do to about our lips.

[Starlette]

Winter is here again and so is the dry lips season. I've been meaning to ask for a long time. Since I can't use petroleum jelly at night. What can I use to keep my lips from chapping and I'm thinking especially at night? I'm especially concerned since I am now using a FFM. Last winter my lips cracked and bled almost up to spring and would like to avoid that from happening again. I thought about using chap stick at night but didn't know if I could near any mask.

Thanks.
Starlette

[Pugsy]

I use a little of the Lansinoh on my winter lips when they dry out.
Chapstick does contain a little petroleum product but I don't think a little on the lips will get on the mask enough to really hurt anything. I wouldn't be afraid to use it if I used a FFM.

[chunkyfrog]

I second the Lansinoh.
It feels kind of sticky when I put it on; but a bit later; the softest lips ever.
Now I feel a little bit naughty. . .

[Janknitz]

I use chapstick. I'm not kissing the mask cushion all night.

[robysue]

Starlette,

Chapped lips and chapped nares have been the Energizer Bunny of all my on-going problems with CPAP. I never really got a genuine respite from them once spring and summer came this year. I posted about this problem last January. There were a lot of replies with quality suggestions. You can read the whole thread at: Chapped lips and chapped nares

For me, making sure I'm well hydrated at all times, a custom-made petroleum free chapstick at night, and tons of chapstick du jour along with shea butter manages to keep the problem under control most of the time.

[ThirdOutOfFive]

I love the Aveno lip balm. Better than any other I've ever tried. I also use some of the Ayr saline gel on the corners of my mouth when they are dry and cracked. Ayr keeps the skin soft -- it heals faster that way.

[Muse-Inc]

Baqger cocoa butter lip balms...I like the orange and cocoa best. Lasts all night and not slimy feeling like most. I also use on my cuticles, keeps 'em quite nice.

[Goofproof]

Refrain from kissing, outside pipes when it's below freezing. Jim

[ems]

I recently used the Lansinoh on my nares. I rubbed the remaining on my cuticles. I was amazed at the difference in my cuticles the next day. Thinking of using it on my toes as well. A little goes a loooong way, so be careful when you first start using it. I wear lipstick all the time to prevent dry, chapped lips. Thinking of using the "L" on my lips at nite.

[cflame1]

burts bees

[Starlette]

Thank you all for your suggestions. After reading this post, I'm sure I'll find something that will work for me.
RE: Hydration. Yes, you are correct. It wasn't till last year's physical did I find out just how hydrated my body was all these years.
Since, I'm drinking more water.

Thank you all.
Starlette

@Goofproof: To date, I've never kissed a pipe. However, I've been know to get a large glass of water and throw it in the air just to watch it instantly crystalize

[ems]

Starlette... how did the doctor know you were dehydrated?? Test? Guess? I think I am also, which is why I'm curious.

[sleepysmurf]

carmex is my freind.

[bayourest]

burts bees or any other kind of petroleum free lip balm. If you have a health food store nearby they will surely have some selections of lip balms and salves. saline gel has saved my nose in the winter too.
Re: dehydration: I found out I was dehydrated when I had to have blood drawn and they couldnt get any....The nurse kept asking me if I had been drinking enough water. i felt fine and have never had this happen before. I have heard it said that when you notice that you are thirsty you are ALREADY dehydrated but ???

[Starlette]

@ems - blood draw. the test results showed elevated enzyme of BUN/Creatinine Ratio (not sure if that is related to liver or kidney). I was asked to drink lots of water for two weeks then come back for another blood draw. I did and everything was fine.
I haven't stopped there. Now I try to drink 50oz of water every day to keep my organs lubricated and running well.

Starlette