What your lips can indicate about your health

Lips can offer a range of warning signs that there is something wrong with your health.

Wellness expert Hair Simran told OhMyMag signs you should watch out for:

Wrinkles on your upper lips
Aside from natural ageing, these can also grow due to physical stress or unhealthy habits such as smoking.

Chapped or dry lips
A dry mouth is a sign that you are dehydrated, particularly if the conditions are warm. If they start to sting this could be an allergic reaction.

Bumps or blisters
Cold sores or blisters often appear in the winter and usually heal on their own. If you are prone to getting them, avoid sunlight as this can irritate the area more.

Cracks at the sides of your mouth
If you lick your lips a lot, you can end up getting an infection. Cracks in the creases at the edges of your lips can be ripe breeding grounds for bacteria. It's useful to always have a good lip balm to hand.

Discolouration
If you've noticed that your lips have become discoloured, this could be an indication of liver problems.

If your lips turn bluish, this could be a sign of a lack of oxygen.

If your lips start to become paler you could have anaemia, vitamin deficiencies or low blood sugar levels.

If you notice any of these, go to your GP and take the necessary tests.

Black spots
Black spots on your lips can be the result of too much sun. It may also be caused by a vitamin B-12 deficiency or hyperpigmentation.

Swollen lips
Our lips often swell when struck, but also when they come into contact with any product to which you are allergic.

Sore red rings around your lips
If you have inflammation around your lips, you could have eczema which can be treated with moisturiser.