MANY of us suffer from chronic chapped lips.
Not only is the condition painful, but it’s almost impossible to ignore.
Sharing lip balms can increase your risk of STIs, infertility and cancer
So when a friend asks to borrow your chapstick, why would you not oblige?
According to one doctor, the seemingly kind act can increase your risk of several health issues.
Consultant gynaecologist Mr Dirk Brinkmann from Spire Hospital, said sharing the beauty product lead to people catching STIs.
“If someone has oral herpes and uses lip balm soon after oral sex, the lip balm may carry the infection,” he said.
The warning comes infections surged 25 per cent to 392,453 in England last year, according to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data.
Most STIs are fairly easy to treat with a course of antibiotics.
But people who don’t notice the symptoms, or get tested, can be left with a whole host of serious problems.
Mr Dirk said: “If left untreated, an STI can increase your chances of catching another STI, including HIV.
“Untreated STIs can cause a range of complications and long-term health problems, including permanent infertility, as well as an increased risk of gynecological cancer.”
Oral sex has been linked to several forms of cancer, including vulva, vagina, penis, anal, head and throat.
This is because of the human papillomavirus (HPV) – also known as herpes – which is spread through any form of skin-to-skin contact, including kissing and sex.
There are about 200 different strains of the disease, most of which are harmless.
But two strains – HPV16 and HPV18 – are responsible for most HPV-related cancers.
Ambiguous symptoms
Due to the range of symptoms caused by STIs, they can often be mistaken for other conditions.
“In women, more severe period symptoms are often dismissed but can be a sign of an STI, such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea,” the expert said.
While early HIV infection can be mistaken for the flu as symptoms include headaches, fever, chills, weakness and a sore throat.
He added: “Chlamydia and gonorrhoea can be mistaken for an upset stomach as they can quickly spread to your pelvic and abdominal areas, causing abdominal pain.
“They can also cause arthritis-like joint pain and eye infections.
“Body rashes and hives can be mistaken for an allergic reaction despite also being caused by infection with HIV or syphilis.”
Mr Dirk urged people with symptoms to get seen at a sexual health clinic or by a doctor.
“This may include urine tests, blood tests and swab tests, where cells are collected from your genitals, mouth, skin, throat and/or bottom using a swab.
“You can also have a physical examination.”
How can you catch an STI?
SEXUALLY transmitted infections are usually passed on through unprotected sex or genital contact.
This includes vaginal, oral and anal sex.
They can spread in blood, semen or vaginal and other bodily fluids.
But infections can be transmitted non-sexually, such as from mums to their babies during pregnancy or childbirth, through blood transfusions and shared needles, and skin-to-skin contact.
STIs include chlamydia, genital warts, genital herpes, gonorrhoea, HIV, pubic lice and syphilis.
There are a range of signs and symptoms, including sores, discharge and pain during sex, but there are often none.
Always see a doctor if you think you may have been exposed.
Source: NHS