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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Peeling skin in finger and toes, water exposure makes it worse
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Peeling skin in finger and toes, water exposure makes it worse
by jdouglas, Nov 16, 2006 12:00AM
The skin on my fingers and feet have been peeling for almost two months now. I first noticed the peeling around my fingertips. Then it spread to the side of my index fingers, then my toes, then the balls of my feet, and now I’m also getting a little bit of peeling on my palms.
The peeling is not uniform, but rather localized to a few trouble areas especially around the fingertips. Here, multiple layers of skin are constantly peeling and never seem to fully heal. The area looks like a contour map with lines inside lines.
Any contact with water makes the peeling much worse. After only a few minutes of showering, all the edges of the peeling skin turn white and my fingertips look raw. Sometimes large chunks of skin also peel off my the tips of my toes after showering. I also get small white spots on the sides of my fingers after showering. They look like blisters but contain no fluid and they will break in about a day and the skin starts peeling in that area. I like to swim, but after 20 minutes in the pool my fingers and toes look like swiss cheese. I’ve largely stopped swimming.
For the first month there was no sensation associated with the peeling. But in the past few days I’ve noticed a minor aching in my fingertips and toes, but the sensation is very fleeting and only occurs a few times a day. My fingers and toes have also become much more tender, and the skin breaks very easily under any harsh contact. For example, opening a can of soda is now rather painful and the metal latch leaves an imprint in my skin.
I went to a dermatologist and he said the peeling was likely a side effect of a viral infection. But to the best of my knowledge I have not gotten a virus, or strep throat or any other illness recently. I haven’t had new medications, no real stress except for this problem, and no major changes in my lifestyle. I was prescribed Keralac ointment and cortizone cream but they have not helped. I’ve also tried a number of common moisturizers and using them temporarily makes my skin look a lot better, but once the moisturizers dry off or I exposure my skin to water, everything looks as bad as ever.
I’m concerned because the peeling is slowly but surely getting worse. Any ideas? Also, when can I start swimming again?
The peeling is not uniform, but rather localized to a few trouble areas especially around the fingertips. Here, multiple layers of skin are constantly peeling and never seem to fully heal. The area looks like a contour map with lines inside lines.
Any contact with water makes the peeling much worse. After only a few minutes of showering, all the edges of the peeling skin turn white and my fingertips look raw. Sometimes large chunks of skin also peel off my the tips of my toes after showering. I also get small white spots on the sides of my fingers after showering. They look like blisters but contain no fluid and they will break in about a day and the skin starts peeling in that area. I like to swim, but after 20 minutes in the pool my fingers and toes look like swiss cheese. I’ve largely stopped swimming.
For the first month there was no sensation associated with the peeling. But in the past few days I’ve noticed a minor aching in my fingertips and toes, but the sensation is very fleeting and only occurs a few times a day. My fingers and toes have also become much more tender, and the skin breaks very easily under any harsh contact. For example, opening a can of soda is now rather painful and the metal latch leaves an imprint in my skin.
I went to a dermatologist and he said the peeling was likely a side effect of a viral infection. But to the best of my knowledge I have not gotten a virus, or strep throat or any other illness recently. I haven’t had new medications, no real stress except for this problem, and no major changes in my lifestyle. I was prescribed Keralac ointment and cortizone cream but they have not helped. I’ve also tried a number of common moisturizers and using them temporarily makes my skin look a lot better, but once the moisturizers dry off or I exposure my skin to water, everything looks as bad as ever.
I’m concerned because the peeling is slowly but surely getting worse. Any ideas? Also, when can I start swimming again?
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Nov 17, 2006 12:00AM
, Nov 17, 2006 12:00AM
Viral (and strep) infections can cause peeling like yours, but it wouldn't generally last this long. I think you have a condition called keratolysis exfoliativa. This long name just means "peeling of the top layer of skin." Cause: unknown. Significance: little, just mild annoyance. I have never found that any treatment makes much difference. I suggest you just keep the area moist with any lotion you like. Swimming is absolutely fine, whatever the skin looks like afterward. Eventually, it just foes away by itself but may come back, and I can't tell you when.
Please check with your doctor to confirm.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Please check with your doctor to confirm.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Thanks for the comments. One more quick question. How far will this peeling of skin eventually spread? Right now its on my fingers, toes, feet, and slightly in the palms.