Skin Peeling During Summer Months
Skin Peeling in Summer
Peeling skin on your fingertips is usually not a cause for concern. This typical occurrence is frequently caused by irritants in the surroundings or other variables that can be controlled.
Fingertips Peeling might be caused by an underlying ailment in rare situations. Consult your doctor if your fingertips don't respond to home treatment or if your symptoms worsen. They can assist you to figure out what's causing your fingertips to peel and suggest treatment alternatives.
Environmental effects
External forces that you may or may not be able to control are known as environmental factors. An example of an environmental factor is the weather. While you can't control the weather, you can limit how much you expose yourself to it.
Continue reading to find out how environmental variables like these might damage your skin and what you can do to combat it.
Dry skin
Fingertips Peeling are frequently caused by dry skin. It's usually more common in the winter. If you bathe or shower in hot water, you may be more prone to dry skin. Dryness can be caused by harsh substances in soap or other products. Other signs and symptoms could include:
- itching
- cracking
- skin that is crimson or ashy
- skin that feels strained or tight
- Using a light soap and a hand moisturiser may be all that is required for treatment.
Handwashing on a regular basis
Fingertip peeling can occur as a result of excessive handwashing. Washing your hands with soap on a regular basis might wear away the lipid barrier on the surface of your skin. This can cause irritation and peeling by allowing the soap to penetrate deeper into the skin's more delicate layers.
Just remember to moisturise them once you've washed them
When there isn't any obvious filth on your hands, an alcohol-based hand sanitiser may be an alternative for cleaning them. If you believe your handwashing has become obsessive and is interfering with your everyday life, you should seek medical advice.
Using chemicals that are harsh
Certain chemicals in moisturisers, soaps, shampoos, and other beauty products might irritate the skin and cause peeling fingertips. Among the most common irritants are:
- fragrances
- antimicrobial creams
- formaldehyde and other preservatives
- isothiazolinones
- Cocamidopropyl betaine
It's possible that your body won't react to all of these compounds. To establish your body's reaction to a chemical, a patch test done by your doctor may be required. Looking for products designed for sensitive skin is the greatest way to avoid harsh ingredients. Fragrance and other irritants are usually absent from these items.
Sunburn
A sunburn can occur if you are exposed to the sun for an extended period of time. Sunburns make your skin feel hot and painful to the touch. The colour of your skin will most likely be red or pink. A few days after the sunburn, peeling skin is a common symptom.
Sunburns are unpleasant and might take several days or even a week to recover. You can treat the burn by providing cold compresses and moisturiser to the affected regions as it heals. An over-the-counter (OTC) pain treatment may also assist alleviate your discomfort. Sunburn can only be avoided by using and reapplying sunscreen on a regular basis.
Cold and hot weather reactions
Dry, cracked, and peeling skin can be caused by dry regions and cold winter temperatures. During the heat, fingertips peeling are also a possibility. This could be a result of excessive sweating or allergens present in bug sprays and sunscreen.
Finger-sucking
Sucking one's fingers or thumbs can create dry, peeling skin in children. Sucking one's thumb as an infant or toddler is not uncommon. Many youngsters spontaneously grow out of this behaviour, while others require a little extra help.
Speak to your child's paediatrician if they are sucking on their thumbs or fingers to the point where they are cracking or peeling. They can advise you on the next measures to take.
Medical conditions that cause the problem
Fingertips Peeling can sometimes indicate an underlying medical problem. Continue reading to find out what conditions are linked to peeling fingertips.
Vitamin A toxicity or vitamin deficiency
Certain vitamins might cause your skin to peel if you get too little or too much of them. Pellagra is a disorder caused by a dietary deficiency in vitamin B-3 (niacin). Dermatitis, diarrhoea, and even dementia are all possible side effects.
Pellagra is most commonly caused by a poor diet, although it can also be caused by other underlying disorders. The only option to restore your vitamin B-3 levels is to take niacin supplements. Consult your doctor to see if supplements are right for you and how much you should take. Overabsorption of vitamin A can result in inflamed skin and brittle fingernails.
Other signs and symptoms include:
- nausea
- dizziness
- headache
- fatigue
Consult your doctor if you're having any of these symptoms.
Eczema on the hands
- Hand eczema can also be caused by a generalised inflammation of the skin (atopic dermatitis). Eczema on the hands manifests as inflamed skin that may:
- peel
- reddish-brown
- crack
- Itch
- be gentle with your touch
Hand eczema can be caused by exposure to specific chemicals or substances, but your genes may also play a role. Hand eczema should be treated with moderate soaps and other cleaners, as well as avoiding hot water and moisturising often. If you know what triggers your eczema, avoid them or wear gloves anytime you must handle them. Consult your doctor if you've never had these symptoms previously. They will be able to make a diagnosis and advise you on what to do next.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis can manifest itself in the form of peeling on the fingertips. Psoriasis is a persistent skin disease that manifests itself as silvery plaques or other skin lesions. Psoriasis on the hands can be treated with a variety of medications, including tar, salicylic acid, corticosteroids, and calcipotriene.
If you've already been diagnosed with psoriasis, you should stick to your treatment plan. However, if you've never had symptoms like this before, you should consult a doctor. They can assess whether psoriasis is the cause of your symptoms and develop a treatment plan with you.
Exfoliative keratolysis
Exfoliative keratolysis is more common in the summer. Blisters may form as a result of this ailment, which may eventually peel off. As a result, your skin will seem red and feel dry and cracked. Irritating soaps and cleansers might exacerbate the problem.
While using a moisturiser can help, more advanced skin remedies may be required to completely alleviate your problems. To discover more about the alternatives available to you, speak with your doctor.
Kawasaki disease
Kawasaki disease is an uncommon disease that mostly affects kids under the age of five. It takes several weeks to develop, and there are three stages to the symptoms. The initial stage is marked by a high fever that lasts five days or longer. The middle stage of this illness is commonly marked by peeling fingertips. In the late stages, redness and swelling of the palms and soles of the feet are common.
Take Away
In rare cases, peeling fingers might be the result of an underlying illness. If your symptoms don't improve or if they don't respond to home therapy, see your doctor. They can help you determine what's causing your fingers to peel and provide treatment options.