I have very dry cracked lips, which become red and look slightly swollen in the red areas. They also pulsate and feel very uncomfortable. It almost looks like the start of a cold sore, but I have never suffered from one before and I'm 58. My daughter is also suffering from the same symptoms, she has been given steroid cream which hasn't helped, she has also had all her cosemetics etc checked which are used on or near her lips for any allergy.