I started using ACV topical about 3 weeks ago. About 2 weeks ago, I started taking 1 tablespoon, 2x a day internally. I do believe it is working to clear up my face (I had a hysterectomy a year ago and since then have had adult acne that I never had before). However, a week ago I developed horrible chapped lips. It is almost like they are sunburned. They hurt a lot. I have been putting jojoba oil on them along with a natural lip balm I have been using for about 6 months. A few times it feels like they are getting better (they start to peel a bit) only to wake up the next morning feeling painful and burning.
Everything I have seen online says ACV is actually good for chapped lips so I am not sure it is the ACV causing the issue. I actually think it is more likely a new multivitamin I started a few days prior to waking up to chapped lips. They contained 417% of the daily allowance of vitamin B12. After looking online, it appears that some people react to too much vitamin B12 and/or the source. I stopped taking them about 5 days ago but my lips are still painful (I am not taking any multivitamins right now - just vitex, vitamine e and calcium/magnesium/zinc).
Could the ACV internally be causing my painful lips? Or is it more likely the new multivitamins and it is just taking a while for the B12 to get out of my system and/or my lips to recover.
Thanks for any help! I want to keep up the ACV both internally and topically as I am seeing an improvement (regardless of the nasty taste - mixed with apple juice it is much better but there is just so much sugar in apple juice).
Sorry, but how can you think strong acids could be good for chapped lips? Of course it's causing it. Keep the ACV away and it will heal right up.
I was hoping for a non-sarcastic, not rude answer. Thank you for your (lack of) input. I do not put ACV *on* my lips. I only mentioned that when I googled ACV and chapped lips, many sites listed it as good for chapped lips.
If anyone has any helpful, insightful, based on experience answers, I would appreciate it. Thank you!
Yes, I diluted to about 1 parts ACV to 6 parts water. I also added some tea tree oil and green tea. I don't rub it on my lips and stay clear of that area in general.
I am wondering if I have a Candida issue due to the pH of my mouth changing. I use a straw when I drink the ACV/water mixture but it isn't totally bypassing my mouth. But at the same time, I am pretty sure I see no thrush issue *in* my mouth.
Thanks!
I am experiencing the same problem. I was taking apple cider vinegar pills (almost 2 weeks) to help clear my skin and now my lips are severely chapped and cracked. They've been this way for about three days. I never get chapped lips so I def know its from the ACV pills.
How did you heal your lips? This is so uncomfortable.
Cheilitis (fancy name for chronic chapped lips)
Cheilitis is a medical condition involving inflammation of the lip.
It is associated with many conditions, including megaloblastic anemia from vitamin B12 deficiency, iron deficiency anemia (which in severe cases can lead to Plummer-Vinson syndrome) and oral candidiasis. It can also be a symptom of allergies, such as allergy to Balsam of Peru.[1] Cheilitis can also be caused by taking the (retinoid) drug Isotretinoin (brand name Roaccutane) (BNF84).[2]
Other drugs reported to have induced chapped lips include:
- High doses of vitamin A
- Lithium
- Chemotherapeutic agents (busulfan and actinomycin)
- D-penicillamine
- Isoniazid
- Phenothiazine
A lot of anecdotal reports say that it is the candidasis or other yeast problem. This page has a lot of people claiming OTC Lotramin or Clotrimazole, which are antifungal creams, cleared it up.
I started using ACV a week ago. One tablespoon in a tall glass of warm water in the morning with a squeeze of lemon juice, simply for health reasons. A few days later I developed very dry chapped lips. So I googled my problem and it brought me to this forum. I'm convinced it's the ACV that has caused my dry lips. Whilst it's good for so many reasons it has a side effect for me. So do I use a straw? Or stop it immediately?
I'd like to share a success story about my acne. I developed adult acne when I was 37. Being of darker skin, it left terrible scars which I kept covering up with concealer and felt quite self conscious. A good friend recommended I see a skin specialist. This was my first time seeing a dermatologist so I had no idea what the outcome would be? He put me on a dose of Oratane for three months (I think). Oratane is made in New Zealand and is similar to Roacutane. He prescribed 3 tablets a day but that was too strong for me (causes a drying effect) so he reduced it to 1 tablet a day, which was perfect. Im happy to report that the treatment was a huge success and I NEVER got a single pimple ever again. Im now 46. Not sure if this would have the same effect on everyone, but it sure made a difference to me:)
Lucas paw paw ointment is great for dry chapped lips.
Tongue and mouth issues are almost always caused by one of three things: candida overgrowth, B-vitamin deficiencies, or amalgam fillings (which may explain why the ACV made it worse). If you have amalgam fillings, you may need to stop drinking the ACV, as highly acidic substances wear them down and increase their heavy metal vapors. Or, you could swish your mouth out very well with baking soda and water after you've had your ACV drink (even better if you drink a glass of water with a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda afterwards). For cracked, painful lips, you would want to look at your levels of b2, b6, and folic acid. Burning and soreness could further indicate a deficiency in b12 and niacin. Basically, you may want to add a quality B-Complex to your regimen. Best not to ever try supplementing B-vitamins in isolation. Also, to address the potential candida overgrowth, try adding a very high potency daily probiotic (at least 60 billion cultures). Or you could do a megadose (90 billion cultures) for ten days and then add lots of fermented foods like kraut and water kefir to your diet to maintain your flora.