peeling skin

[Trish300]

My hands have started peeling.  It starts with small white blisters that does not have any liquid inside.  The look like dry white small blisters.  When I peel them the skin easily comes off in small sheets.  There is no redness, no pain, no itching, just alot of peeling skin.  I had this condition last summer, but dissapeared in the winter, and has now shown up again even though it is not really hot yet.  It happens on my palsm and fingers but not on the back side of my hands.  Please help me and tell me what this condition is, even though there is no pain, it is very unsightly.

Trish

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination,confirmation of a diagnosis is tough,but it can be due to contact dermatitis.Other possibilities are dermatitis due to washing dishes without wearing gloves,contact with harsh detergents,soaps and lotions that contain perfume.Sometimes cold, dry air,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.She 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 (e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort) and use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin. During the day, hydrate and protect hands from sun damage and sunspots 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.

If still the symptoms do not improve then pls get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist. Fungal infections have to be ruled out then.

Hope it helps. Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.

[pinksheep0710]

Sounds to me like you have what I have which is Exfoliative Keratolysis.

There's a really helpful thread on here about various ways you can try and manage it although, unfortunately, there's probably no 'cure'. Basically try not to get your hands wet (as this will make it worse) and invest in a moisturiser with a high urea content (25% if possible). If you can see a dermalogist then get them to prescribe you Augmented Bethmethasone which is a potent steroid and tends to clear it up (don't use this for too long though).

Hope this helps - I recommend the other thread.