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How Do I Treat Peeling Hands?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Peeling hands can be the result of dryness, exposure to toxins, or an underlying medical problem. The best treatment depends on the cause, and it is important for patients to receive a medical evaluation if the peeling is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms like rashes. Some basic treatments for peeling skin can be a good start for a patient who is not sure about whether peeling is a cause for medical concern.

Patients with peeling hands should evaluate their environment for possible causes. The peeling may be the result of not wearing gloves around hazards or could be caused by severe dry skin. Moisturizing hand soap to keep the hands clean without stripping oils from the skin is a good idea, as is patting the hands dry thoroughly after washing. If water stays on the skin, it can promote the development of dry skin. Deep, intensive skin moisturizers may limit dryness and prevent peeling; it can be helpful to wear these to bed to give them several hours to work without interruption.

Moisturizing hands after washing can minimize dryness.
Moisturizing hands after washing can minimize dryness.

It is advisable to watch for warning signs like intense itching, tight skin, redness, bumps, and cracks that ooze white, clear, or red fluids. These can indicate that the peeling is not just a surface problem, and it may become worse if the patient does not receive appropriate treatments. Patients may also want to consider causes like sun exposure. Sometimes the hands do not appear burned, but they are sun-damaged, and they may start to peel within a few days of spending a prolonged period of time in the sun.

Using lotion can help with peeling hands.
Using lotion can help with peeling hands.

If measures like changing soaps, reducing exposure to toxins, and moisturizing are not effective, peeling hands may be the result of a medical problem. The patient should see a dermatologist to discuss the issue. The dermatologist can examine the hands, take scrapings, and assess other symptoms to determine the cause. He may recommend medications and topical creams to address both the peeling and the issue that is causing it.

Vaseline is a therapeutic treatment for peeling hands.
Vaseline is a therapeutic treatment for peeling hands.

When patients prepare for a visit to the doctor for peeling hands, they should compile as much information as possible. Any new medications should be noted, as skin peeling can be a side effect of some drugs, and patients should also mention any changes in their diet, living environment, or workspace. A change of career, for example, might explain the peeling hands; sometimes the answer is as simple as the soap in the bathroom at a new job.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

bear78

@burcidi-- A corticosteroid cream from the pharmacy can help with the peeling until you can see a doctor.

bluedolphin

@burcidi-- Have you seen a dermatologist? You should see one if these problems continue.

I experienced the same exact thing last month. I had skin peeling on my hands and feet. First I thought that I was having an allergic reaction to food, I had been eating a lot of eggs lately, so I stopped eating that. But the peeling didn't go away.

Then I thought about all the products I use. I switched to organic hand soap, detergent and body wash. After a few days, the peeling disappeared.

The weird part is that I had been using those products for years without problems. But our bodies are like that. It can develop allergies to things very suddenly. I think you might be having a similar allergic reaction and should consider all the products you're using.

burcidi

The skin on my palms has been very dry for the past week. It also started to peel yesterday. I didn't have any of these problems until a week ago. I keep applying a natural moisturizer with shea butter. The lotion has helped some but the peeling is still there.

What else can I do?

Why are my hands peeling? I don't understand why this is happening right now.

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    • Moisturizing hands after washing can minimize dryness.
      By: Lasse Kristensen
      Moisturizing hands after washing can minimize dryness.
    • Using lotion can help with peeling hands.
      By: Martinan
      Using lotion can help with peeling hands.
    • Vaseline is a therapeutic treatment for peeling hands.
      By: Graça Victoria
      Vaseline is a therapeutic treatment for peeling hands.
    • Red fluid coming from cracks on the hands could be a sign of a more serious problem.
      By: Tiler84
      Red fluid coming from cracks on the hands could be a sign of a more serious problem.
    • Peeling hands may require treatment by a dermatologist.
      By: michaeljung
      Peeling hands may require treatment by a dermatologist.
    • Redness and bumps that appear on the hands may indicate that the peeling is not just a surface problem.
      By: marilyn barbone
      Redness and bumps that appear on the hands may indicate that the peeling is not just a surface problem.
    • Warm, melted wax may be used to soothe dry, peeling hands.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Warm, melted wax may be used to soothe dry, peeling hands.
    • Moisturizing hand cream may help soothe peeling hands.
      By: Picture-Factory
      Moisturizing hand cream may help soothe peeling hands.
    • Peeling hands may occur as a result of sun exposure.
      By: Cicak Kobeng
      Peeling hands may occur as a result of sun exposure.