In some cases, symptoms may be severe enough to interfere with your daily activities, sometimes even causing insomnia. Immunomodulators medications that modify or change the function of your immune system may also be considered, according to this research from 2019. Is there a cream or ointment that you can prescribe? Is the skin on your hands dry, thick, and scaly? Accessed June 11, 2021. DermNet does not provide an online consultation service.If you have any concerns with your skin or its treatment, see a dermatologist for advice.
By Angelica Bottaro Petroleum jelly treats cracks by sealing and protecting your skin. Eczema (dermatitis) is an inflammatory skin disease that can cause uncomfortable rashes that may develop unexpectedly. Begin healing your thumb tips by sealing the cracks with a liquid bandage and moisturizing your hands several times a day, especially while they are still damp from handwashing. Moncrieff G, et al. Skin cracking and fissuring is common and may cause pain but no itching. Policy. To help prevent a hand rash, dermatologists offer these tips. CDC Identifies Children at High Risk for COVID-19, What Light, Regular, Super, and Other Tampon Absorbencies Mean, How Often to Change Tampons or Pads During Your Period, Cracked Fingertips: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment, Palmoplantar Psoriasis Affects the Hands and Feet, Adult-onset acral peeling skin syndrome in a non-identical twin: A case report in South Africa, Giant urticaria and acral peeling in a child with coronavirus disease 2019. (2020). Mary Choy, PharmD, is board-certified in geriatric pharmacotherapy and is an active leader in professional pharmacy associations. The next possibility would have been Keratolysis Exfoliatava, which is like seasonal moulting of the skin of the hands, but the fact that only one hand is affected and you have had symptoms for 9 months again rules this out. According to the AAD, people in certain occupations may be at increased risk of developing hand eczema. If we combine this information with your protected Wrinkles.

Our top picks for moisturizers for sensitive skin may help relieve symptoms, like dryness, inflammation, and acne. They should not be worn for long periods.

Skin peeling off your hands can be a symptom of exposure to chemicals or the environment or be a sign of an underlying health condition. Slight to severe flaking skin, which causes the ashy look that can affect dry brown and black skin, Skin that ranges from reddish on white skin to grayish on brown and black skin, You've tried self-care steps but your signs and symptoms persist, You develop dry, thick skin as a side effect of cancer treatment, Your condition makes you so uncomfortable that you're losing sleep or are distracted from your daily routines, You have open sores or infections from scratching, You have large areas of scaly or peeling skin, Are over 40, as the skin's ability to retain moisture diminishes with age, Live in cold, windy conditions or low-humidity climates, Have a job that requires you to immerse your hands in water, such as nursing or hairstyling, Use your hands to work with cement, clay or soil, Have certain diseases or conditions, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes or malnutrition. You can also rinse the area with clean water, but avoid rubbing or wiping the area. Other symptoms you might have with skin peeling on your hands include: Depending on the cause, skin peeling on your hands can be the main and only symptom. Dinulos JGH. Use these professionally produced online infographics, posters, and videos to help others find and prevent skin cancer. Why Does My Skin Peel When I Get Sunburned, and What Should I Do About It?. Thoroughly drying your hands and feet after bathing or swimming. DermNet does not provide an online consultation service. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/face-washing-101. Kirkland-Kyhn, et al.

It usually involves the backs of the hands and around the wrists. Treatments for peeling skin caused by underlying health conditions can include: Skin peeling on your hands that's from an underlying disorder requires treatment. The root of your scaly, cracked hands? Chronic intractable hand dermatitis may be treated with second-line agents such as azathioprine, methotrexate, ciclosporin, alitretinoin or phototherapy. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. You can search by location, condition, and procedure to find the dermatologist thats right for you. Effective treatments include at-home treatments, therapies and prescription medicines. Since dry skin can cause or worsen cracking, its important to keep your skin well Petroleum jelly. Dermatology Made Easybook.

Use a potent topical steroid on dermatitis on the backs of the hands and an ultrapotent topical steroid on palms. 2010;62(2):7587. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2006; 55:891-6.). What causes the skin on your hands to peel? Fingertip dermatitis can be isolated to one or several fingers. If you want to diminish a noticeable scar, know these 10 things before having laser treatment. Hand dermatitis often results from a combination of causes, including: Hand dermatitis is frequently caused or aggravated by work when it is known as occupational dermatitis. al.Contact dermatitis of the hands: Cross-sectional analyses of North American Contact Dermatitis Group Data, 1994-2004.J Am Acad Dermatol2007 Aug; 57:301-14. Using warm water instead of hot water when washing your hands. Home care may include: Your healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as topical corticosteroid creams or ointments that you rub directly on your skin. 2021 May;38(3):664-666. doi:10.1111/pde.14599, Hassan, S. Recurrent peeling of skin following post-streptococcal atypical kawasaki disease: A case report and literature review. You may respond well to an at-home skin care routine and OTC medications, or you may require prescription-strength corticosteroid creams or ointments, like clobetasol (Cormax). Updated byDr Karen Koch, Consultant Dermatologist, Donald Gordon Medical Clinic, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Other names for dyshidrotic eczema include dyshidrosis, acute palmoplantar eczema, vesiculobullous dermatitis and pompholyx. Cracked skin can appear on any part of the body, but it is especially noticeable on exposed areas, such as the hands. Before trying to treat hand eczema, its important to find the underlying cause(s) of your symptoms. And so we repeat: When your barrier weakens, it's easier for water to seep out, which can cause dryness, flaking, and discomfort. These blisters are typically one to two millimeters in diameter. But when it's not cared for, dry skin may lead to: Atopic dermatitis (eczema).

Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is the most common form of eczema, a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked. JAK inhibitors are helping patients with alopecia areata, eczema/atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and vitiligo. No, seriously: When it comes to triggers that contribute to dry skin, your paws often take the first offense. Patients will typically have signs of atopic dermatitis elsewhere such as in the flexures. Acid and Chemical Burns. Features : Non-greasy, fast-absorbing daily hand cream to help prevent and temporarily protect chafed, chapped, or cracked skin, especially to help relieve frequently-washed or over-worked hands. While waiting for medical attention, remove all clothing that the chemical has touched. After your blisters have dried out, they may become scaly and cracked. J Am Board Fam Med. Successful treatment of palmoplantar psoriasis with chemical peeling and gentian violet. Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema overview. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. 2009 - 2023 MindBodyGreen LLC. This can be genetic or environmental. More severe cases of dyshidrotic eczema may require prescription medications or other therapies. Topical therapy and topical corticosteroids. Best ointment: Aquaphor Healing Ointment. Nummular dermatitis Well-demarcated, erythematous, coin- or oval-shaped plaques and papules commonly on the dorsum of the hand and fingers. To treat skin peeling on the hands, you need to figure out what's causing it. The blisters may come together to form one large blister. Dyshidrotic eczema isnt contagious.

Last medically reviewed on April 7, 2022. Do you know which one? WebDyshidrotic eczema is a chronic (long-term) skin condition that causes small blisters and dry, itchy skin. These include but are not limited to: As a rule of thumb, any job that exposes your hands to chemicals or to frequent water immersion (such as frequent handwashing) can increase your risk of hand eczema. slather your hands in a nourishing oil or moisturizer, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3840548/, https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/transepidermal-water-loss, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3148293/. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), symptoms of hand eczema may include: The severity of these symptoms can vary in each case. Yes, the chapped skin can be uncomfortable, itchy, and sometimes painful, but it's also annoying to deal with, considering how much we use our hands on the regular. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. Topical skin care and the cosmetic patient. The cause of dry hands is a tough nut to crack, considering all the factors (environmental, lifestyle, and genetic) that can contribute to a scaly appearance. (2019). Depending on the cause, various complications can occur because of skin peeling on the hands. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may. Office of Patient Education. Chronic relapsing vesiculosquamous dermatitis is a common pattern of palmar and finger dermatitis, in which episodes of acute vesicular dermatitis are followed by chronic scaling and fissuring. They may also recommend oral antihistamine pills, including fexofenadine (Allegra) or cetirizine (Zyrtec), that you swallow with water. Mosby Elsevier, Spain, 2008:1084. Eczema Types: Dyshidrotic Eczema Overview. "These types of alcohols do major damage to the natural lipids and fatty acids on the surface of your skin, so they damage your skin barrier," board-certified dermatologist Whitney Bowe, M.D., says regarding sanitizers.

To help your hands heal, your dermatologist may also include a moisturizer, barrier repair cream, or cortisone cream in your treatment plan.. Some cases have even affected people of all ages, young children included. On the topic of transepidermal water loss, did you know it happens more during the winter? It may manifest as a discoid or vesicular pattern of eczema. Eczema, Psoriasis, Cutaneous Infections, Acne, and Other Common Skin Disorders.

It's especially important after washing your hands or taking a shower: A good cream can seal in that lingering water, restore your skin's lipids, and prevent transepidermal water loss2. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Cracked skin can appear on any part of the body, but it is especially noticeable on exposed areas, such as the hands. Filaggrin failure - from ichthyosis vulgaris to atopic eczema and beyond. Protein contact dermatitis, most often affecting, Minimise contact with irritants even water. Hand rashes can be frustrating, especially when the cause of your rash is unknown. Each condition may come with other symptoms on top of the peeling skin. Dyshidrotic eczema can affect anyone. When this is the case, it may be a symptom of atopic dermatitis (AD), which can run in families. Your provider may want to do these tests to figure out what is causing the skin on your hands to peel: The process of getting a diagnosis for skin peeling on your hands may take some time. Or if you often wash your hands with harsh, drying soaps, switch to a milder soap if possible and rinse well. Be sure to avoid anything that triggers dyshidrotic eczema, moisturize your skin, take your medicine and follow your healthcare providers recommendations. You also have a higher risk of developing hand eczema if you had atopic dermatitis (often called eczema) as a child. McCook JP. These can damage the outer stratum corneum, removing lipids and disturbing the skins barrier function. Calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus and pimecrolimus) have some evidence to show efficacy in hand eczema and can be used as a steroid-sparing agent [4].

However, the symptoms of eczema go beyond dry skin. "Hand eczema, or hand dermatitis, is characterized by redness, blistering, cracking, flaking, and itching of the palms and fingers," board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., tells us about the condition. Hand eczema can also be caused by an allergic reaction. Dry skin is usually harmless. It can smooth out deep wrinkles and lines, but the results arent permanent. 2016;175 Suppl 2:47. High WA, et al., eds. Azizzadeh B, et al., eds. Dawn Davis. Begin healing your thumb tips by sealing the cracks with a liquid bandage and moisturizing your hands several times a day, especially while they are still damp from handwashing. Dermatitis online course for health professionals, Occupational skin disorders in homemakers, Treatment of psychodermatological disorders, Occupational dermatitis among construction workers, Repeated exposure to low-grade irritants such as water, soaps, and detergents leads to chronic, Periodic flare-ups associated with certain tasks or places hours to days earlier. But you're more likely to develop the condition if you: Dry skin is usually harmless. Skin peeling on the hands is associated with several medical conditions, including: Not all conditions with skin peeling symptoms are severe, but some are. Its a chronic medical condition that may come and go throughout your life. Lined gloves or inner cotton gloves improve comfort. Thats why it can help to see a dermatologist. (https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/types/dyshidrotic-eczema), (https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic-disorders/dermatitis/hand-and-foot-dermatitis), (https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/dyshidrotic-eczema/), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. Agner T, et al. Because it often looks like dry skin, hand eczema can easily be mistaken for dry skin.

Kermott CA, et al., eds. Effects of Skin Contact With Chemicals.