Changes in normal skin condition can be influenced by various factors, such as sun exposure, friction, hydration, and environmental exposure etc. Peeling skin is usually a temporary condition, and is not fatal. Barring infections or other similar skin disorders, a new layer of pink healthy skin will be regained naturally within a couple of days.
Causes of Peeling Skin
Peeling skin may be caused by many factors. Sunburn is the most common cause, where the heat caused by this exposure causes the top layer of the skin to peel naturally. Some other common factors include –
- Excessive perspiration
- Viral or bacterial infections
- Certain medications
- Excessive sun exposure
- Blisters of any sort
- Vitamin A overdose (often shows symptoms of skin peeling)
- Hereditary disorder, also known as ‘Peeling skin syndrome’
There are also many skin disorders that can cause your skin to peel. Some of these skin disorders include –
- Exfoliative dermatitis, which can result in the skin flaking.
- Hand eczema usualy causes rashes, flakes, and general itchiness on the hands.
- Eczema, or a chronic skin rash, may lead to skin peeling.
- Erythroderma, which is a medical term relating to thickening and flaking of the skin.
- Ichthyosis, is a rare disease (normally caused by dryness) resulting in scaly fish-like peeling skin.
- Scarlet fever, is a disease that causes rashes, which in turn could peel.
- Psoriasis is a medical condition causing scaling and inflammation (of the skin), thus resulting in skin peeling.
- Kawasaki disease, is a disorder among infants (and young children) which causes a rash and swelling of the hands. This may also lead to peeling of the skin on the hands.
- Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis is a complicated sounding medical term for a very rare disease, which causes the body to be covered in blisters. When these blisters pop then the skin will peel.
Home made for Peeling Skin
Peeling skin treatment can take many different forms.
Cucumber: Grate a cucumber and apply to the affected area for 30 minutes. This will assist with rejuvenating the dry parched skin. It is very effective for a bad sunburn of the face, and can also be used on other overexposed areas with the same result (just a lot more cucumber will be needed).
Honey: Mix some honey, olive oil, tumeric and sandalwood into a paste and then apply to the affected area. This is an effective home remedy for dry and parched skin.
Mint: The juice of fresh mint on the affected areas can also help prevent dryness. This juice is very effective for other skin conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis.
Dietary Considerations for Peeling Skin: Diet plays an important role in nurturing healthy skin. It is therefore very important to follow a well-balanced and nutritional diet regime for your every day life. A deficiency in any of the following can lead to skin problems –
- Vitamin A
- Iron
- Iodine
- Vitamin B
- Additionally, Vitamin C and protein also helps to prevent infections and promote healing of the skin. It is important to increase your intake of all of the above nutrients and vitamins during this time.
Do not be tempted to pull off the peeling skin (especially after a sunburn). In the case of blisters, it is advisable to gently cut off the layer that is loose. Cut as close to its base as possible. Always Keep the skin supple and as clean as possible by using nourishing creams and a gentle soap.
Remember to visit your doctor if this peeling of your skin does not react positively to any care given. This is to ensure that the reason for the peeling skin is correctly diagnosed.