There are many causes of cracked, split lips.
The person suffering from dry lips goes through a lot of pain and discomfort.
Lips, being one of the delicate regions of the body, have a thin and fragile layer of skin that can be affected by dryness and chapping very easily.
A person with this condition tends to experience tenderness, redness, dryness and swelling of the lips.
The skin of the lips also distends as well as breaks.
It is very difficult for a person suffering from this to smile or grin.
Many people have a problem drinking anything that is citric.
Even opening the mouth to take a bite of food can cause the lesions to split and painfully ulcerate.
There are numerous causes for the occurrence of this.
Many times it is due to changes in the climate that may lead to a thing called Angular Cheilitis.
Especially due to harsh, cold winters or over exposure to the dry heat of the sun, Angular Cheilitis can develop.
A person who has a weak immune system also has a larger tendency to suffer from this.
Excessive smoking leads to dryness of the lips which in turn leads to the condition.
Many cosmetic products such as soaps, shampoos and even lipsticks for women contain harsh chemicals that may cause the dryness.
People suffering from deficiency of minerals and vitamins such as vitamin A, B and iron along with protein malnutrition may also lead to chaffing.
A lack of riboflavin that is vitamin B2 tends to cause mouth lesions.
Excessive dehydration is a condition that is characterized by the lack of water in the body, may also lead to dryness.
Excessive drinking of coffee or alcohol leads to dehydration which in turn causes these symptoms.