Peeling Hands!

[Billop]

Every year (for about 4 years) once the humidy drops (about 3 months per year) the skin on my hands peel off, it begins with my finger tips then spreads to my palms, the skin becomes very thin and often cracks and somtimes bleeds. it is a very painful experience that i realyl don't want to continue, my hands are begginning to peel now as the humidy has dropped!
i've tried many different cream non of which work, ireally am at a loss in what to do. is anyone experiencing the same same problem?

The following links are to photo's of my hands beginning to peel

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r287/billop_2007/Hands/IMG_4798.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r287/billop_2007/Hands/IMG_4799.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r287/billop_2007/Hands/IMG_4796.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r287/billop_2007/Hands/IMG_4797.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r287/billop_2007/Hands/IMG_4736.jpg

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It looks like exfoliative keratolysis. The first sign is one or more superficial air-filled blisters on the fingers or palms. The blisters burst to leave tender, circular areas. The symptoms are aggravated by exposure to irritants including water, soap, detergents and solvents. Treatment includes protection from irritants, emollients hand creams and phototherapy in severe cases.
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. For a more intensive nighttime treatment, apply cream and then cover hands with gloves or socks. Your body heat helps the cream sink deeper into the skin. I would also suggest you to avoid washing hands with soap repeatedly and use gloves while doing any household work.
If the symptoms persist then please get an evaluation done from a dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[DTJB]

It could be Exfoliative Keratolysis but you need to see your doc to get diagnosed and find out what it is for sure.  I just figured out that I probably have it as my fingers and hands recently began peeling too.  Google it and you will see several websites with good info.  You can also Google "peeling skin on fingers" and it will lead you to many websites as well as a great discussion about this topic on this forum with many people giving their advice and support.  Good luck and keep in touch!