Peeling Skin on Hands

The dead skin of our body is replaced by fresh, new, soft skin after every few days. This is a continuous, on-going, natural process, which our skin is subjected to everyday. The peeling skin on hands is primarily caused due to this reason. But sometimes, the peeling, especially, on hands, might get out of control. In such a scenario, the cause could be something else. Let's find out the reasons behind peeling skin on hands, followed by its treatment.

Causes of Peeling Skin on Hands

• Skin infections can cause peeling skin on hands. Fungal infections on hands cause skin peeling too.
• Extremely cold weather conditions can cause the skin of the hands to dry out and peel. Sunburn can cause this condition too.
• Certain medicines like acne medications can produce side effects such as peeling skin on hands.
• Excessive sweating caused by wearing tight gloves can cause peeling skin on hands.
• Allergy to certain chemicals in harsh washing soaps or detergents or some beauty products, can cause this condition.
• A rare genetic disorder known as the peeling skin syndrome can cause continuous peeling of the skin on hands.
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a condition which causes blisters all over the body, including hands, and when these blisters break, they cause peeling skin on hands.
• An overdose of vitamin A can cause peeling skin on hands.
• Certain skin disorders such as erythroderma, exfoliative dermatitis, hand eczema, psoriasis, ichthyosis, kawasaki disease and scarlet fever can cause skin flaking and peeling.

Treatment for Peeling Skin on Hands

Treatment for peeling skin on hands will depend on the reason for its occurrence. For example, hand dermatitis is cured by topical medications or by taking oral steroids. For a bacterial infection, antibiotics are usually prescribed. For treating skin infections, anti-fungal medications are used. Besides these medications, there are certain home remedies too which can cure this condition. Here are a few peeling skin on hands home remedies.

Healthy Diet
A healthy diet with all the required vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fats, is very essential for providing proper nourishment to the skin. The main reason behind the occurrence of skin disorders is a deficient diet which fails to provide the required nutrition to the body. Peeling skin on hands could be result of a diet which is deficient in vitamin A, vitamin B, iron and iodine. Hence, maintaining a healthy diet, with all these necessary nutrients, is very important to get rid of skin disorders and also, to avoid them in the future. Foods rich in vitamin A are fish, eggs and carrots. Foods rich in vitamin B are eggs, milk, grains, cereals and cheese.

Skin Care
To avoid and cure peeling skin on hands, skin care is very important. To keep the skin moisturized, drink 2-3 liters of water everyday. Apply a good quality moisturizer on hands twice a day; once in the morning and just before sleeping at night. When taking a shower or washing hands, avoid using hot water as it can dry the skin, instead use lukewarm water. To save the skin from the drying effects of the sun, apply a sunscreen when going out in the sun. Avoid using harsh soaps and detergents, instead shift to herbal soaps and mild detergents. Iron rich foods are almonds, broccoli, beans, peas, rice and raisins. So, remember to include all of these in the diet.

Cucumber
Cucumber helps in keeping the skin on the hands moisturized and thus, treats both dryness and peeling of the skin on hands. Simply, grate a cucumber and put it all over the hands. Let the cucumber work on the hands for about twenty minutes and then wash it off. Repeat this every alternate day for dry skincare, and within a few weeks, the peeling of skin on hands will go off.

Massage
Massaging the hands with coconut oil or olive oil, helps in keeping them moisturized. Weekly massage can help cure peeling skin on hands. Applying honey on hands, keeping it on for about half an hour and then washing off the affected area, is another remedy for peeling skin on hands.

Fresh Mint
One of the most effective of all remedies for peeling skin, is the application of fresh mint juice on the hands everyday. Fresh mint juice is known to cure skin disorders such as dermatitis and eczema. Mint is a natural moisturizer and with its healing properties, it can cure peeling skin on hands.

These are a few home treatments which can heal and cure the peeling skin on hands. However, if the peeling of the skin continues for a very long time, even after all the necessary precautions and home treatments have been followed, it is recommended that you consult a dermatologist immediately.