Case #10: What chapped lips may reveal about your body

By Dr. Kara Fitzgerald

Sarita [Name Changed], 24, came to see me after her chapped lips had become unbearable.

During winters, in particular, her lips became fissured. Sometimes, it was difficult for her to eat or smile.

Chapped lips weren’t a recent phenomenon - she had been experiencing this since her teens. In fact, around the time she got her first episode of chapped lips, she also had severe gas, bloating and abdominal pain.

I immediately suspected SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). This is a condition where bacteria start growing in the small intestine (instead of the large intestine), and start eating the nutrients originally intended for your body.

Simply said: a body with SIBO can become nutrient deficient because bacteria are eating a lot of the nutrients.

The result: low levels of B-vitamins and zinc, which are a leading cause of chapped lips.

I first confirmed that she had SIBO with a hydrogen breath test. Here’s a reference:

When bacterial ferment food, they release gases like hydrogen and methane. If levels of hydrogen and methane are high in your breath, it is an indication that you have bacterial overgrowth, and hence SIBO.

In this case, the method of action was clear:

1. Clear the SIBO

2. Strengthen Gut Health

3. Replenish B-Vitamins

Ideally, this protocol should have helped to reduce her digestive trouble and chapped lips.

90 day treatment plan

We started off with a FODMAP diet to starve the gut bacteria.

You can learn more about what bacteria eat in this detailed blog. 

We additionally introduced two herbal antimicrobials - enteric coated peppermint oil and berberine - to target and kill pathogenic strains of bacteria.

To prevent a SIBO relapse, we additionally worked on building a stronger stomach environment with a Betaine-HCL supplement and Zinc Carnosine.

You can learn why stomach acid is SO important to prevent a relapse here. 

I additionally prescribed:

1. Magnesium

2. Vitamins A and E

3. CoQ10

Sarita was already consuming a B-Complex with a good amount of B12, B9 and B2 - all essential for smooth, moist lips.

Follow Up

In a matter of months, Sarita’s digestive health had markedly improved.

She felt less bloated, less gassy and felt like she was digesting her meals better.

However, there was NO difference in her chapped lips.

I double checked:

1. She didn’t bite or lick her lips (some people do this without knowing)

2. She drank enough water

3. Her nutrient needs were met

This was quite confusing.

A little bit of research revealed that in many SIBO cases, there can be overgrowth of bacteria in different places of the body.

How? Overgrowth in one places compromises the immune system, and allows for overgrowth elsewhere. It’s systemic.

In Sarita’s case, I suspected there may be bacterial overgrowth on her lips too.

Her chapped lips may have been a bacterial problem, not a nutrient one.

To test this, I asked her to try a combination of 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and 500mg of berberine directly on her lips, multiple times a day.

Within a few weeks, it worked!

Here’s the picture she sent to me:

When it comes to digestive health, it’s vital to know what problem you are solving.

1. Is it an infection?

2. It is an allergy?

3. Is it a hormonal problem?

4. Or it is a combination?

Based on this, you’ll be able to give your clients (or yourself) the best chance of success.

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Note: This case has been reproduced [with names changed and added context] from drkarafitzgerald.com.