Chapped outer lips?

Every once in a while my outer lips get chapped while wearing a full face mask. It is not the lips themselves but the half inch or so of skin that surrounds the lips. It gets red and painful.

Is this from the silicon or from the wetness in the humidified air?

Any recommendations to solve this issue?

It could be contact dermatitis, or even a sensitivity to chemicals used in manufacture.
Thorough cleaning and drying of the mask might be all you need.
Mask liners, like those from Pad-a-Cheek, might help.
Some of us use a thin coating of Lansinoh (made for nursing mothers) on the area that is irritated.
Do not use Vaseline near the silicone in your mask--some say it damages silicone.

Agreed that Lansinoh/Lanolin is helpful. During the day, moisturizer may be good. Are you mouth breathing? I do, and in addition to dry mouth I often get chapped lips and dry skin around my lips, like between my upper lip and nose. You might also want to experiment with more or less humidity to see if it makes a difference. Best wishes.

I've have this problem too. I use Blistex Medicated Lip Balm right before I mask up, basically slathering it all over my lips and around the outside edges. I make sure NOT to apply it where the mask hits. In the morning, I end up wiping it off with a tissue when I get up. It works for me.

Petroleum jelly is in most products and it breaks down the mask materials. Here is one without PJ:

http://www.burtsbees.com/Beeswax-Lip-Ba ... lt,sc.html

Lansinoh is a lanolin product with no petroleum jelly or so the ads state.
I couldn't find the MSDS that would verify the content.

JDS74 wrote:Lansinoh is a lanolin product with no petroleum jelly or so the ads state.
I couldn't find the MSDS that would verify the content.

It is food grade because it is nipple cream. Safe for babies to ingest.

Ah, chapped lips, the gift that keeps on giving from my PAP.

Seriously, chapped lips and the area around the lips was one of my biggest adjustment problems. When I posted about them I got a lot of useful tips and suggestions. It's an old thread, but one well worth going through for additional ideas. You can find it at:
viewtopic/t98052/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=59 ... 0&#p556830

I found that I had to protect the lips with both some kind of balm (usually Lanisoh, but often "chapstick de jour" where I'd checked the ingredient list looking for petroleum jelly-free lip balms. There are actually a fair number of them out there on the market. I also took to draping a cloth hanky across my mouth to protect it from the wind. And keeping myself well hydrated was also part of the solution.

Best of luck!

I have kind of a "ah, stupid" question regarding this subject.

I use Blistex and I'm sure it has petroleum jelly (I've never looked but am assuming). My silicone seal never TOUCHES it. My seal sits far enough outside my mouth.

Is this problem TOUCHING the silicone or just being near it? I've been going on as long as it doesn't touch the silicone, we're good.

Madalot wrote:I have kind of a "ah, stupid" question regarding this subject.

I use Blistex and I'm sure it has petroleum jelly (I've never looked but am assuming). My silicone seal never TOUCHES it. My seal sits far enough outside my mouth.

Is this problem TOUCHING the silicone or just being near it? I've been going on as long as it doesn't touch the silicone, we're good.

Touching is the issue. Wearing lip chap of any sort is ok for the mask

BlackSpinner wrote:

Madalot wrote:I have kind of a "ah, stupid" question regarding this subject.

I use Blistex and I'm sure it has petroleum jelly (I've never looked but am assuming). My silicone seal never TOUCHES it. My seal sits far enough outside my mouth.

Is this problem TOUCHING the silicone or just being near it? I've been going on as long as it doesn't touch the silicone, we're good.

Touching is the issue. Wearing lip chap of any sort is ok for the mask

Cool! This is what I thought, but it's nice to have it verified!

I had the same problem as the OP. I was waking up with horribly dry, red and cracked lips and area around my lips. I wait until after I kiss my hubby goodnight, then slather the crap out of my lips and edges with medicated blistex. Solved it beautifully for me!

Madalot wrote:I have kind of a "ah, stupid" question regarding this subject.

I use Blistex and I'm sure it has petroleum jelly (I've never looked but am assuming). My silicone seal never TOUCHES it. My seal sits far enough outside my mouth.

Is this problem TOUCHING the silicone or just being near it? I've been going on as long as it doesn't touch the silicone, we're good.

There is a chance the PJ could migrate to the mask. If the mask starts to discolor, this is an indication that the PJ is getting to it. From what I have read on this forum, most members change masks before PJ could cause any serious damage besides discoloration.

On the the other hand, there are plenty of PJ-free lip balms that are excellent and cheaper than Blistex products.

Carmex works fine for me. I apply a thin layer to my lips, a dab in the corners, and then yours truly becomes history for the night.

I use the Pad-A-Cheek for the Quattro FX and have seen no adverse effects of the Carmex on the fabric or the mask itself.

God bless! On Monday, remember the purpose of what Memorial Day is.