External Signs of Internal Problems

Chapped lips are very common in winter, but other changes to the lips could be a sign of problems bigger than the weather. If the corners of your lips are discolored or patchy, cracked or oozy, you may have a yeast infection. Cheilitis is a yeast infection that occurs mostly in those who wear dentures. Thrush, another type of yeast infection, can surface at any age, although it is more common in babies and the elderly. Thrush also occurs more often in patients with weakened immune systems, like those with HIV, AIDS or cancer. People with high blood sugar may get thrush because yeast grows well when there is excess sugar in body fluids. Antibiotics, which fight yeast-regulating bacteria, may skew the yeast balance in your system. Swollen or inflamed lips could indicate an allergic reaction.