How to Stop Peeling Skin On Your hands may peel because of things in the environment or skin problems. Some reasons can be treated at home, but others may need to be seen by a doctor.
People often get peeling skin on their hands from being in the same place for a long time. It could also be a sign of a deeper problem.
Why Are Your Hands Peeling
Peeling skin on your hands can be painful and look bad. But why does it take place? Many things in your surroundings and daily life can damage the skin on your hands by breaking down its natural barrier of protection. The top layer of skin starts to flake or peel when this barrier is broken. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as skin conditions or dryness, too much moisture, or things in the surroundings.
Peeling isn’t always just a matter of looks; it can sometimes be a sign of a bigger problem. Some medical problems, like eczema, psoriasis, or an allergic reaction, can cause your hands to peel. The skin can also get dry from habits like washing your hands too much or using strong chemicals, which remove the skin’s natural oils.
Figuring out why your skin is peeling is the first thing that you need to do to treat it and keep it from happening again. We’ll talk more about the most common reasons why hands peel, such as being too dry, having a skin disease, having too much moisture, and more.
Dryness:
Peeling hands are often caused by xerosis, which means dry skin. If your skin doesn’t have enough water, it gets dry and cracks or peels. This might happen more often in the winter, when the air is cold and dry, or if you live somewhere with low humidity.
Dry skin can get worse if you use harsh soaps, don’t use lotion, or wash your hands too often. This stops the skin from healing itself over time, which causes it to peel. Also, being dry can make your skin crack in small ways, which can be painful or open to getting infections.
Adding wetness to your skin care routine will help keep you from getting dry skin. Lotions with glycerin, ceramides, or she a butter can help keep your skin moist. Hot water can strip your hands of their natural oils, so don’t use it to wash them. Put on a thick, emollient-rich cream before bed and cover your hands with cotton gloves to keep the wetness in overnight if your skin is already dry and peeling.
Skin Conditions:
Some skin diseases, like eczema, psoriasis, and keratolysis exfoliativa, can make your hands peel. These skin problems damage the skin’s natural protection, leading to long-lasting redness, irritation, and peeling.
Eczema: Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, makes patches of skin red and swollen that peel or crack. Allergens, worry, or irritants like perfumes and detergents can make it happen.
Psoriasis: Skin that flakes or peels off because of psoriasis is thick and scaly in places. The hands are often affected by this autoimmune disease, which makes them quick to peel.
Keratolysis Exfoliativa: People with this disease have peeling palms that don’t hurt. Heat, sweat, or too much moisture can cause it.
Skin care products and medical treatments are often needed together to treat these diseases. Hydrocortisone creams that you can buy without a prescription can help reduce inflammation.
In serious cases, you may need to see a dermatologist for prescription treatments. To manage these conditions, it’s important to stay away from allergens, use hypoallergenic products, and moisturize regularly.
Excess Moisture:
Peeling skin can be caused by both too much and too little wetness. This often happens when your hands are wet, sweaty, or otherwise damp for a long time. Skin that is constantly wet becomes soft, which breaks down its protective layer and causes it to peel.
People who work in healthcare, cleaning, or food preparation may have this problem because they wear gloves for long periods of time or wash their hands a lot. When wetness gets trapped under gloves, it can make the skin too soft, which can cause it to peel.
It’s important to dry your hands well after washing them and to take breaks from wearing gloves when you can. Using an absorbent powder or putting cotton pads inside your gloves can help keep your hands dry. Use a light, non-greasy cream to moisturize to restore balance without making the skin feel heavier.
How to Prevent Peeling Hands
When it comes to peeling skin, it’s always better to avoid it than to fix it. If you do something, you can keep your hands from being painful and annoying when the skin on them is flaking or cracked.
Moisturize Regularly: Getting enough water is the first line of defense. Several times a day, especially after washing your hands, use a good hand cream or lotion. Hyaluronic acid, urea, or she a butter are all ingredients that can help your skin stay moist.
Avoid Harsh Products: To avoid irritation, switch to cleaning products and soaps that are light and don’t have any scents. Chemicals that are too harsh can remove the skin’s natural oils, which makes it more likely to peel.
Wear Gloves: When doing things like cleaning, washing food, or working outside, gloves protect your hands from irritants and rough conditions.
Hydrate Inside Out: To keep your face moist from the inside, drink a lot of water. Dehydration can make dry skin worse and cause it to peel.
How to Treat Peeling Hands
If your hands are already peeling, don’t worry. There are treatments that will help them get healthy again.
Apply Thick Moisturizers: Put on a thick hand cream or lotion, like petroleum jelly, to heal and soothe irritated skin. Putting these things on before bed and wearing cotton gloves can help your wound heal faster.
Use Hydrating Masks: Put on a thick hand cream or lotion, like petroleum jelly, to heal and soothe irritated skin. Putting these things on before bed and wearing cotton gloves can help your wound heal faster.
Topical Treatments: Hydrocortisone creams that you can buy over the counter can help reduce inflammation if your peeling is caused by itching or mild eczema.
Avoid Irritants: Don’t use any new items that could have caused the peeling. Hypoallergenic goods are a better choice.
If your hands don’t get better in a week or the peeling is very bad, you should see a doctor to get a personalized treatment plan.
Allergic Reaction
Peeling hands can be caused by allergies to skin care products, gloves, or chemicals. This happens when an ingredient makes your skin react badly, causing it to become red and flake off the top layer.
Fragrances, preservatives, and latex are all common issues. Along with peeling, other common symptoms are redness, swelling, and burning. If you think you might be allergic to the product, stop using it right away and switch to something that isn’t toxic. Antihistamines or creams that reduce inflammation can help control symptoms.
Climate
Things in the environment, like cold, dry air or hot, sticky weather, can hurt your hands. In the summer, the sun can burn and peel your skin, and in the winter, the weather dries out your skin. In the winter, wear gloves to protect your hands, and in the summer, put on sunscreen. Climate change can be lessened by keeping things consistently moist and putting up walls that keep them safe.
Over washing
One of the most common reasons skin peels is washing your hands too much. It’s important to keep clean, but washing your hands too much takes away the oils that make your skin soft and healthy. To clean your hands, use a mild soap and warm water.
Don’t rub them dry; instead, pat them dry. After every wash, use a lotion to bring back the moisture that was lost. Peeling hands is painful, but it’s not too bad. To get your skin healthy again, you need to know what causes the problem and use specific protection and treatment plans.
In conclusion
It can be annoying to have skin peel off of your hands, but you can get rid of it with the right care. By getting to the bottom of the problems and creating a personalized skin care routine, you can make your skin healthy and comfortable again. To stop problems from happening again, you need to be consistent and take the initiative.
FAQs
Why does my skin peel even when I moisturize?
Peeling that doesn’t go away could be a sign of an underlying disease like eczema or psoriasis. You might want to talk to a doctor.
Can stress cause peeling skin?
Stress can make skin problems worse by breaking down the skin’s natural layer, which makes it more likely to peel.
How long does it take to heal peeling skin?
Mild peeling can heal in a week if you take good care of it. Conditions that last a long time may need longer care.
Are there specific foods that improve skin health?
Yes, foods that are high in zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E can help your skin stay healthy.
Is peeling skin a sign of a serious condition?
Peeling that lasts for a long time or is very bad could be a sign of a deeper problem. If you’re not sure, talk to a doctor.
