Peeling Skin Remedies And Treatment:Peeling Skin On Hands? Is It Vitamin Deficiency?

Most of us have at some point of time suffered from dry, itchy and peeling skin, especially on our hands, fingers and lips. In most cases, however, these are temporary problems that are rarely fatal, and can be reversed with proper diet and treatment, along with a few home remedies.

To understand why our skin peels, we need to understand the structure and working of the skin. The skin consists of three layers – the epidermis which is the outer layer, the dermis or the middle layer and the hypodermis or the inner layer. Each of these three layers has a specific function, and is continually changing. The epidermis, which is especially influenced by various factors such as friction, exposure to sun, hydration and other environmental factors, is completely replaced by a new layer every 28 days.

Every few days, all the skin on our body – hands, feet, arms, face and lips – is replaced by new fresh and soft skin. This gradual, natural and on-going process is hardly noticeable, but sometimes it may get out of control, leading to peeling skin on lips, nails, feet, and especially on the hands, which is the area of the body that is most exposed.

Causes: There are many causes for dry peeling skin.

Extreme cold weather can lead to dry skin and especially peeling skin on hands and fingers in adults and children. Sunburn an also cause lead to peeling skin on fingers and hands.

Hand, foot and mouth diseases such as blisters or fungus on hands can cause you to get peeling skin on hands and feet rash. These skin disorders also include hand eczema (which can cause itchy hands and peeling arms), exfoliative dermatitis, psoriasis (which causes inflammation and scaling), erythroderma, ichthyosis (caused mainly by dryness and leading to fish-like scaly skin) and Kawasaki disease (a rare disease occurring mainly in babies and young children, causing rashes, swelling and peeling hand and feet fingers). Scarlet fever may also be another cause of peeling hands in children, because it causes rashes and dry skin.

Sometimes a few medications, especially medicines for acne, have a side effect which leads to dry flaky skin, leading to the skin peeling on hands.
Excessive sweating and wearing tight gloves or shoes may cause peeling hands and feet.
Another cause for continuous hand skin peeling could be a rare genetic disorder that is known as Peeling Skin Syndrome.
Excessive hand washing, especially with harsh soap, or an allergy to harsh chemicals in washing detergents or beauty products, can also lead to peeling hands.
If you have peeling hands and feet, thyroid could be the culprit. A mal-functioning thyroid can cause dry, itchy and flaky skin.
A rare skin disorder called TEN (Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis) causes the skin to break out in blisters, followed by peeling skin on hands.
While Vitamin deficiency, such as Vitamin B deficiency can cause dry skin, an overdose of Vitamin A has also been known to cause dry peeling hands.
Trauma to fingertips, caused by jobs such as typists, is another cause of peeling fingertips. Teachers, who use chalk to write on blackboards, may also suffer from peeling skin on fingers.

Remedies

Skin remedies and treatment of peeling skin can be done at home using a few simple steps, and also by making some changes in one’s diet and lifestyle. If the problem is too severe, you may have to consult a medical specialist who will prescribe oral medicines and skin ointments to reverse the condition. But, as with any disorders, it is best to start treatment at the earliest, to ensure quicker recovery.

Healthy Diet: One of the most important changes is to follow a healthy, nutritional and balanced diet, which has all the required minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, fats and fatty acids, since any deficiency can lead to a skin disorder or make it worse. Ensure that you eat balanced meals which have all the Vitamins – A, B, C, D and E – along with minerals such as iron and iodine. These replenish the skin, accelerate healing and prevent further infections.

These will all be found in lentils, pulses, cereals and whole grains, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables like carrot, beans, broccoli, tomatoes, green peppers, spinach, peas, cauliflower, pumpkin and cabbage. Citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges are especially recommended for healthy skin. Dairyproducts such as milk, cheese, cream and butter also aid in healthy, glowing skin. Include eggs, fish liver oils, lean meat and poultry, as well as raisins and nuts. Seeds such as pumpkin seeds contain oil and are helpful in preventing dry, flaky and peeling skin.
Include plenty of water (10 to 12 glasses a day) to re-hydrate your skin.

Home remedies: A mixture made of olive oil, honey, turmeric and sandalwood paste is very soothing and effective for rejuvenating parched dry skin. Rubbing some warm almond oil every night on peeling nails can strengthen them. For peeling lips, you can use a mix of honey and olive oil. Petroleum jellyis also very effective for dry lips and flaking hands. Use it at least twice a day.

Cucumber also has soothing and healing properties. Grate some cucumber and apply to the affected areas, especially on the face and hands. Leave for 15 to 20 minutes, and wash off with cold or warm water. Do this every day before a bath. You may then apply some cream or moisturizer on the area. This will prevent dryness and peeling skin.

Fresh mint is also recommended for preventing dryness and is a good remedy for dermatitis and eczema. Crush the leaves and apply the juice, leaving it on for about 10 minutes before washing off.

Some Don’t’s: Avoid harsh soaps and chemicals, and if there is no choice but to use them, apply some cream, lotion or oil on your hands immediately after it.

Avoid hot water baths as they dry the skin. Avoid going out in the hot afternoon sun. Do not pick, cut or scratch the peeling skin or try to pull it off, as it may cause further infection.

Peeling Skin On Hands - Vitamin Deficiency

The outer layer of the skin exfoliates naturally and this continuous process of shedding dead skin happens every twenty eight days. The skin that is shed peels off on account of a number of reasons – on account of friction, exposure to sunlight and perhaps even dry weather conditions. In addition to the natural process of peeling however, certain viral infections or allergies may also cause the skin to peel. If skin peeling also results in bleeding and infection, you may need to consult a dermatologist regarding your condition. However, there are certain ways to care for peeling skin at home. Firstly, certain dietary regulations are essential in caring for your skin. Consume essential nutrients to help revitalize your skin and reduce peeling. Certain vitamin deficiencies may also lead to skin peeling and it is essential therefore, to increase your consumption of Vitamins A, B, and C. Iron and iodine, proteins, minerals, and essential fatty acids are essential in the treatment of peeling skin. Butter, carrots, cream, and eggs are a good source of Vitamin A. Cheese, meat, liver, and cereal is a rich source of Vitamin B. Increase your consumption of almonds, broccoli, raisins, rice, baked beans, peas, and kidney beans- these are an essential source of iron. Drink a lot of water as this will help keep your skin hydrated and will help control peeling.

While caring for peeling skin at home, it is important not to try and peel the skin off by yourself. You can perhaps snip the ends of skin that is dead and has peeled off from the hand or foot, but avoid peeling the skin that is still attached. Moisturize your hands and feet to avoid aggravating the dryness of your skin. An oatmeal bath is an effective way to naturally exfoliate your skin. Soak in an oatmeal bath for at least twenty minutes daily to help exfoliate your skin and control peeling. Use a sunscreen before stepping out into the sun to avoid exposing your skin to harmful UV rays that cause skin to peel.