Hands

I am a 38 yr old female and for the past 2 yrs the palm of my hands peel every three months and the last time it is going up my fingers it lasts for about 10days.  It is not let up this time. I have moved cross country in the past yr so it is not environment or medication.  It doesn't look like the picture of psoriasis.  It looks like a peel after you have had a sunburn some slow some little pieces.  it is not painful, but a little itchy.  Please help.  Thank you! M

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Peeling and flaking hands can be due to contact dermatitis and contact with harsh detergents, soaps and lotions. Sometimes cold, dry air can cause  peeling and dermatitis or fungal infections can also cause peeling.

Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. For mild-moderate symptoms a weak steroid may be used, whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid.

Symptoms can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin. During the day, hydrate and protect hands with a protective and moisturizing cream. At night, repair them with creams formulated from glycolic acid—a must for improving skin texture and tone. If still the symptoms do not improve then please get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist. Fungal infections and eczema have to be ruled out then. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Markiesmiles]

DR. Bhupiner

I am so grateful for your response.  Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I believe I can rule out any detergents, lotions or other cosmetics because this has been happening every 3 mths for about 2 yrs so I have been extremely careful about what my hands have been in contact with. Usually the peeling palms last a week to 10 days.  This time my hands and fingers and now my feet are peeling.  This would suggest it is internal. It has lasted this time for about 20 days.  I live in a smaller place now and to see a qualified dermatologist could take months.
Also I have been hydrating my hand with what the pharmicist reccomended, it didn't contain a steroid.
I could use any help.
Thany so much.