Exfoliative Keratolysis

[Okie55]

I have suffered with Exfoliative Keratolysis on my hands and feet for 27 years now.
In fact it was only by going online recently that I finally learned the exact name of this condition. No doctor I saw ever put a name to it other than "It's some type of dematitis or exzema." As like many others, I went through all the standard treatments including topical steroids. The ONLY times it has completely cleared was when I would get a cortizone injection in my bad shoulder as well as the one time I was put on a Prednisone treatment for an eye infection. That's it. I live with it. But I would like to know if anyone has an idea as to what brings it on in the first place. Why, out of the blue, does it appear? I have no allergies nor exposures past or present to chemicals or the like. Any ideas? Any treatments that work?

Thanks!

[bottine_2]

I'm just curious if anyone has had any luck with either coconut oil or Shea butter, and using them before the peeling starts?

[handsman]

First of all I want to thank everyone for the insights. This thread was more useful than any doctor I've been to. Allow me to #1 share my story and #2 propose a solution to the problem.

MY STORY:
I have started having EK sometime around the age of 6. Some people here have described having EK breakouts once a year, every summer. In my case I had a breakout once a year, only on my palms, but strangely always in the winter. Am I the only one? This could indicate that the condition is not weather-related (to clarify, I live in the northern hemisphere so winters are indeed cold). I was tested me for allergies and it turned out I'm not allergic to many things, so that was probably not the issue. I was always picky about my food, so my mom insisted that it has to do with my diet. Yet, without significantly altering my diet, sometime (can't remember the exact year) around the age of 16 the breakouts gradually faded away to the point where my hands were completely fine all throughout the year, every year. Right up until this year (I am now 26). My EK suddenly came back about a month ago. Personally I believe it is somehow related to stress, as this was the same time when I was under of stress. I am now trying a bunch of different creams, among them a dexpanthenol cream (has anyone tried it before?). I will report if it makes any difference.

SOLUTION:
I am very worried my EK is back permanently. I do not want to spend another 10 or more years dealing with it. The worst thing about it is not the annoying sensitivity it causes, but the blow on one's self-confidence it deals.
I thus propose a solution: CROWD FUNDING OF EK RESEARCH
I don't know about the rest of you, but I would be willing to donate a large sum to help get to the bottom of this. There are a bunch of websites around the web dedicated to crowd funding of research. We just need to provide an expert or a team of experts who would be willing to do this research. Personally I don't know anyone like that, but I am hoping someone here will be able to step in contact with a professional or an institute and perhaps bring them to this forum.

[Selaine]

I also have vasamotor rhinitis and exfoliative keratolysis. I don't believe the EK is due to anything you come in contact with, but from within, some sort of auto-immune problem. The deep peeling can't possibly be just a skin surface problem. No answers after having it for 35 years though, sorry.

[Selaine]

I have had to have a steroid shot and a prednisone pack in Winter of 2013 and have just had to have another round of prednisone, finished in December 2014, for Bronchitis. Both times that I have taken the Prednisone. My feet have cleared up. The peeling came back ofcourse after a few months, so it seems a temporary fix, and not worth the side effects of Prednisone.

[Ben2015]

I am having this similar issue since 4 years ago. The first time it was really bad since it got secondary infection. After seeing the specialist, he has advised that there is the secondary infection and on top of it, there is actually allergy reaction to the ointment given by the family doctor. Things he suggest to avoid are following:
*Soap and perfume, this is related to the summer time sweat and acidic reaction.
*Stress is probably the trigger.
*Chemicals in general, such as the Head and Shoulder shampoo, which he mentioned it is too strong.

Clearly, things he suggested would cost a bit more, such as those organic allergy free perfume free option, in comparison to those artificial/chemical products like soap. But isnt this is true for every other healthier products nowaday? Cost a bit more? Glove would be a good and cost effective method to have your hands protected.

[Haribo_Kid]

I started taking Magnesium Citrate for a different reason (muscle cramps, recommended by nutritionist.) I have only had a few minor problems with my skin since (11 months), which have been related to not taking the Magnesium.