Peeling skin, also known as desquamation, happens when your skin's outer layer is removed while it recovers from trauma. It can be brought on by external factors like a burn or internal factors like a drug response or an autoimmune condition.
Treatment may be straightforward in certain circumstances, including over-the-counter (OTC) or home medicines. Peeling skin might also indicate an underlying health problem that needs to be addressed.
After the skin has been injured, it normally peels as part of the healing process. This damage can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
The most frequent form of burn, induced by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds, are the most prevalent.
When the skin is chafed or rubbed against other skin, clothes, or shoes for an extended length of time, it can cause irritation.
Chemical burns from household cleansers and some cosmetic items can peel.
Thermal burns are caused by skin coming into direct touch with a hot liquid, a hot surface, or a fire.
Acne treatments using retinoids, for example, might cause the skin to peel.
Chemical peels contain retinol, which helps to cure scars and wrinkles by causing the top layer of skin to peel away.
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes redness and peeling. Dyshidrotic eczema is a kind of eczema that causes blisters and scales on various regions of the body.
Edema is a type of skin swelling that can occur when a person has a blood clot or is experiencing heart failure. The top layer of skin will peel when the edema in the skin reduces.
Skin peeling can be caused by cancer therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy.
Contact dermatitis can occur when the skin is exposed to specific allergens or irritants, such as perfume or extended water contact. Peeling can also be caused by exposure to cold and dry air.
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is a bacterial infection caused by several strains of the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium that causes the skin to peel.
Toxic shock syndrome is a life-threatening bacterial illness that develops when particular organisms enter the body and produce toxins.
Peeling skin syndrome is a hereditary illness that causes the skin to peel all over the body or just on the hands and feet.
Rashes can be caused by a variety of viral illnesses, including measles and mono.
First, take care of the underlying issues.
If your skin is peeling and you're not sure what's causing it, consult a doctor to rule out any major health issues.
Before attempting to treat the underlying health issue that is causing the skin to peel, it is necessary to address the underlying health issue. There are no therapies for peeling skin syndrome, for example, and utilizing home cures may make the peeling worse.
The best way to get rid of peeling skin is to figure out what's causing it. If your skin is peeling after a sunburn, for example, the best thing you can do is let it alone. 5 There are a few things you may do to assist the skin recover if the damage is minor and not significant.
After bathing, pat skin dry.
Instead of rubbing your skin dry after a shower or bath, pat it lightly. This is because touching peeling skin with a towel might aggravate it. It might also cause the skin to become even more dry and flaky. 6
Keep yourself hydrated.
Staying hydrated will keep your skin moisturized, which will assist to minimize peeling.
When the skin isn't dry, it's less likely to peel even more as a result of the damage.
Use a moisturizer.
The water on your skin evaporates as soon as you depart the bath or shower, and your skin dries. This is why you should apply moisturizer as soon as you get out of the shower, when your skin is still damp. 6 This will assist to keep the moisture in your skin and prevent it from drying out. Because dry skin can make a damaged region peel even more, it's critical to keep it hydrated as much as possible.
Exfoliate with a Gentle Exfoliant
In certain circumstances, a light exfoliant might aid in the removal of flaky dead skin cells. This should not be done on scorched skin, as it will aggravate the burn and prolong the healing process.
Consider using a humidifier.
When minor skin peeling is caused by dry skin, a humidifier might aid. This is due to the fact that humidifiers give moisture to the air, which can help ease skin dryness.
2022's Top 6 Humidifiers for Dry Skin
Summary
Peeling skin indicates that your skin is recovering from harm. External or internal sources may have caused the injury. Peeling skin produced by external factors such as sunburn usually heals on its own, but peeling skin caused by an underlying problem should be examined and treated by a doctor.
Final words...
Peeling skin can be unattractive and annoying, but it's usually not an indication of anything dangerous. The good news is that sunburn-induced peeling skin will heal on its own.
Getting a fast diagnosis and treatment for peeling skin caused by an underlying health problem is critical for healing. Many of the illnesses that cause peeling skin also have additional symptoms. A healthcare professional will be able to determine the source of your discomfort and assist you in feeling better.
Skin peeling isn't necessarily harmful, although it may be. The following are symptoms that should cause you to consult your doctor:
