Compulsively licking lips while climbing?

Every time I climb outdoors I get 'clown lips' (big red lines around my mouth) from absentmindedly licking my lips while climbing. It must be that I'm doing it while climbing because I don't get it when hiking, so it's not just the outdoors that does it. I guess I also get it snowboarding, so I assume the 'focused movement' is what does it, but IDK how to stop doing it since it's compulsive/not a conscious act. It's pretty inconvenient and a little embarrassing so any tips are welcome. 

It's been happening my entire climbing career (15+ years at this point) and today was the first day where I wondered: does anyone else have this issue? Have you managed to stop doing it? 

You could go the Kentuck way and use manure as lip balm.... hopefully that'll stop it.

A good friend of mine has this problem - he suspects its from climbing chalk? 

Have you tried chewing gum while you’re climbing?  

I know this is a little different than what you’re experiencing, but I started doing this, particularly on really hot days.  It helps me keep my mouth closed and breath through my nose.  This keeps my mouth from drying out as fast and prevents me from drinking all my water too soon.

Vic Davalos wrote:

Have you tried chewing gum while you’re climbing?  

I know this is a little different than what you’re experiencing, but I started doing this, particularly on really hot days.  It helps me keep my mouth closed and breath through my nose.  This keeps my mouth from drying out as fast and prevents me from drinking all my water too soon.

I'm gonna try this!

Micheal Jordon did this in his prime, embrace and go with it.  In a joking way, just do it.

I have this compulsion when my lips are dry- Aquaphor was a lifesaver. Apply it before you climb and maybe even keep a tube on ya. It locks in moisture in your skin and it feels really weird to lick so you won’t feel compelled to. Also don’t forget to sunblock your lips beforehand too. Lips are skin and they get sunburnt!

I compulsively bite my lips when I am really focusing while climbing.  I am actually afraid about falling and biting my lip off lol

Maybe focus on breathing?

You should wear a cone of shame. I’m not sure it will help, but you should.

Don't do it, or you'll end up looking like this guy! Make sure you store some SPF lip balm in an easily accessible spot in the gear you wear, and maybe choose a flavor you don't like so you subconsciously want to lick less. That and stay hydrated

I have this issue big time. Haven't bothered to try and actively stop doing it, but after enough long mutli-pitch days ending with me nearly crying from how messed up my lips got I just buy chapsticks in bulk and keep a few in all my packs/pockets at all times. 

I'll have to try the aquaphor suggestion - seems the most promising so far. 

I used to chew gum while climbing (probably did it for a good ~5 years or so) but a) it didn't prevent this and b) it _did_ prevent me from instinctively hydrating, leading to cramps, which is why I stopped.

lol wtf

Vic Davalos wrote:

Have you tried chewing gum while you’re climbing?  

Great way to bite your tongue off during a whip?

Put chalk around your lips

MattH wrote:

Every time I climb outdoors I get 'clown lips' (big red lines around my mouth) from absentmindedly licking my lips while climbing. It must be that I'm doing it while climbing because I don't get it when hiking, so it's not just the outdoors that does it. I guess I also get it snowboarding, so I assume the 'focused movement' is what does it, but IDK how to stop doing it since it's compulsive/not a conscious act. It's pretty inconvenient and a little embarrassing so any tips are welcome. 

It's been happening my entire climbing career (15+ years at this point) and today was the first day where I wondered: does anyone else have this issue? Have you managed to stop doing it? 

Have you considered discussing this with a psychologist or having ketamine treatment for OCD?

Marc801 C wrote:

Have you considered discussing this with a psychologist or having ketamine treatment for OCD?

I sure hope this is sarcasm. Give me some horse tranquilizers, doc, I've got chapped lips!

You are in good company.

I have nothing useful to add.

MattH wrote:

I sure hope this is sarcasm. Give me some horse tranquilizers, doc, I've got chapped lips!

Not at all - 100% serious. The thread title even says 'compulsively licking lips', to the point where the OP doesn't even know he's doing it. And while ketamine can be used as a 'horse tranquilizer', it has also been used on humans in surgical settings for many years. The doses used on larger animals greatly surpass the dosage that would be used on humans for mental health treatment.