Chapped lips often occur in adults. However, when you find chapped lips in newborns, maybe you will wonder, is this condition a dangerous thing? To find out the answer, let's look at this article.
Chapped lips can occur in newborns. This condition can make him cranky and uncomfortable because breastfeeding and sleeping will be disturbed.
The causes of chapped lips in newborns vary, ranging from those that are classified as normal to those that should be wary of.
Causes of Chapped Lips in Newborns
Chapped lips in newborns can occur because the baby often licks or sucks his lips. This happens because saliva contains digestive enzymes that can actually make lips dry. Even so, this is quite normal and you don't need to worry.
To treat chapped lips in newborns, you can do simple treatments, such as regularly cleaning your little one's lips, giving lip balm, and applying breast milk to his lips.
If chapped lips are accompanied by other symptoms, for example, your baby's body looks pale, there are no tears when crying, he rarely urinates, and his urine looks darker in color, he could be dehydrated.
Dehydration in babies can occur due to not getting enough breast milk or formula, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and temperatures that are too hot or cold. To overcome this, breastfeed your little one more than usual. In addition, adjust the room temperature so that it is not too hot and cold.
Beware of Chapped Lips in These Babies
In addition to the 2 causes above, chapped lips in a newborn can be a sign he has Kawasaki disease.
In addition to chapped lips, this health problem is characterized by fever for more than 3 days, red eyes and tongue, swollen palms and feet, rash appears, more fussy than usual, and looks very weak.
Do not delay taking your little one to the doctor if you experience chapped lips accompanied by these symptoms. Because, if left alone, Kawasaki disease can cause permanent heart damage that threatens the baby's life.
Mother, that's the cause of chapped lips in newborns that needs to be understood. It is important for mothers to remember that chapped lips in newborns are normal and harmless if they only occur temporarily and are not accompanied by other symptoms. So, don't panic yet, OK?
However, if your child's chapped lips are accompanied by worrying symptoms, take him to the doctor immediately. The doctor will conduct an examination and provide appropriate treatment according to the cause.
