Chapped lips, cold sores and chemotherapy
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Chapped lips, cold sores and chemotherapy |
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Home | Cancer treatments | Lifestyle | Self help | Site map | Contact us |
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Chapped lips refer to a common condition in which the lips
become dry, cracked and sore. If marked, this can lead to bleeding and secondary
infection. A number of other factors
contribute to it’s
incidence and severity of chapped lips including overexposure to the sun or cold wind,
dehydration particularly associated with alcohol intake. The incidence and
severity of chapped lips significantly increases to over 67% during and after chemotherapy.
Other drugs which cause oral dryness including codeine, opiates, anti
cholinergics and aromatase inhibitors.
Professor Thomas conducted and published a study which showed that people who
regularly used natural based creams during chemotherapy had a better
perceived benefit compared to petroleum based products. This study also observed that patients who had chapped lips
where more likely to develop cold sores. (see full paper
in Focus on Cancer medicine).
Cold sores: A number of infective conditions can affect the lips including bacteria and fungi, but the most common in the community, by far, is the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Acute episodes are characterised by the presence of red, swollen areas on the mucous membrane or skin, with fluid-filled blisters which can be disfiguring and painful. The HSV, once caught, lies dormant in the facial nerve ganglion. Cold sore episodes occur when the HSV migrates down the nerve to the dermis in and around the lips. Although strategies to prevent an acute episode have so far been unsuccessful topical or systemic anti-viral agents such as acyclovir, docosanol, penciclovir or valacyclovir, have been shown to shorten the length of the attack if used early in an episode.
The precise triggers for these acute episodes are not certain, but there are associations with iron deficiency, psychological stress and a history of aphthous ulcers. The research study, mentioned above, published in the Journal Focus on Cancer Medicine, suggests hat there is a link between chapped lips and cold sores, as 79-82% of patients with cold sores also suffered from chapped lips, as opposed to 18-21% who did not. Many advise looking at measuring the levels of micro-nutrients in the diet if cold sores are common to see if there is an excess or deficiency in the levelsof essential nutrients which may effect the immunity.
What can you do to protect your lips:
natureMedical
lip remedy
From £1.99 a tube
What is natureMedical skin balm? A unique combination of natural waxes selected to moisturise, soothe and protect the lips especially during the strain of chemotherapy. The added essential herbal oils have been carefully selected for their ant-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. The ingredients are completely natural and organic.
Indications: Treating and preventing chapped lips. Also can be used for softening and moisturizing the nail beds. Soothing stubborn patches of very dry flaky skin. Can be used during chemotherapy or after exposure to wind and sun such as skiing or sailing.
Development and design: This completely natural oil has been designed and manufactured in the UK by a team of Oncologist, patients, UK natural cosmetics chemist and traditional therapists to find the perfect combination of natural waxes and oils to have the maximum softening and moisturizing anti-inflammatory and DNA stabilizing benefits.
Instead of petrol and other hydrocarbons, as used by the vast majority of commercial hand creams, the waxes and oil base are made entirely from organic natural oils derived from plants. Furthermore, only the absolute top quality ingredients have been used. For example, instead of simple olive oil it uses organic, extra virgin, cold pressed olive oil. Instead of regular shea butter is uses the vastly more expensive unrefined raw, organic variety.
The type and concentration of rare essential oils have been carefully selected for their anti-inflammatory (natural salicylate) as well anti-microbial properties which preserve the oil and help prevent secondary infection on the skin. Other oils attempting this effect tend to use tea tree oil but this tends to be irritating to the skin and can cause further drying. Instead natureMedical uses Leleschwa oil which is less drying yet a much stronger antiseptic.
It was tested only on healthy volunteers and has passed all European Unit cosmetics standards and safety checks (see full product license). EU compliant 76/768/EEC.
As a result of these high quality ingredients there is a high manufacturing cost (that is why you will not see this on the shelves). However, by cutting out marketing and shop mark ups by ordering direct from the manufacturers online, the price to the consumer is kept as low as possible.
Ingredients: All completely natural with absolutely no artificial chemicals, parabens, hydrocarbons or fragrances:
Buy
natureMedical balm
securely online via paypal using credit or debit card
Supplied stylish tubes. Delivered within 5 days (For wholesale or larger orders please contact us)
(If there are any issues with your order please email health-education@clara.co.uk)
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