What is Peeling Skin?
Unintended damage to and loss of the upper layer of skin. Skin peeling can have causes other than underlying disease. Examples include sunburn, grassburn, prolonged time in the water, or prolonged skin contact with noxious liquids.
What are the causes of peeling skin?
Many different diseases, disorders, and conditions can lead to peeling skin. Peeling skin can be a sign of allergies, inflammation, infection, or skin damage. More serious causes include severe allergic reactions, drug reactions, and infections.
Allergic causes of peeling skin
Drug, animal, food, and other environmental allergens can lead to peeling skin including:
- Atopic dermatitis (eczema).
- Contact dermatitis (contact with allergens, such as perfumes, poison ivy, and soaps).
- Drug reactions.
Autoimmune or inflammatory causes of peeling skin
Autoimmune and inflammatory causes of peeling skin include:
- Kawasaki disease (inflammatory disease primarily affecting young children and infants)
- Psoriasis
Infectious causes of peeling skin
Peeling skin may arise from infectious diseases, such as:
- Scarlet fever
- Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
- Tinea infections (Athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm)
- Toxic-shock syndrome (late)
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Get A Second OpinionSerious or life-threatening causes of peeling skin
In some cases, peeling skin may be a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. These include:
- Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (a type of blood cancer that affects the skin)
- Skin cancer
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome (erythema multiforme major, a skin disorder caused by serious infection or an allergic reaction)
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis (severe reaction likely caused by a drug reaction)
- Toxic shock syndrome
Other causes of peeling skin
Various other causes of peeling skin include:
- Certain acne treatments, such as those containing retinol or benzoyl peroxide
- Chemical peels or use of facial creams containing retinol to reduce aging
- Harsh soaps and detergents can cause drying of the skin
- Peeling skin syndrome (a rare genetic disorder)
- Side effects of some drugs and vitamins
- Skin irritation or damage
- Some types of cancer treatments
- Sunburn
- Vitamin deficiencies or toxicities
Diagnosis of Peeling Skin
If you notice scaling skin, applying lotion might seem sufficient initially. It's common for skin to scale during dry, cold weather or after sun exposure. But if scaling persists, spreads, or worsens, consult your healthcare provider promptly.
During your appointment, your provider will inquire about your medical history and symptoms. Pinpointing when the peeling skin started can aid in diagnosis. Mentioning itching or any relief measures can also assist in identifying the issue.
Diagnosis relies on examining your skin's appearance, your exposure history to irritants or allergens, and accompanying symptoms.
Treatment & Home Remedies of Peeling Skin
Take a pain reliever
Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil) or aspirin (Bayer).
These medications work to reduce the inflammation and redness surrounding your sunburn. They can also reduce the pain associated with having a sunburn.
Use a soothing anti-inflammatory cream
Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil) or aspirin (Bayer).
These medications work to reduce the inflammation and redness surrounding your sunburn. They can also reduce the pain associated with having a sunburn.
- Apply a topical anti-inflammatory cream to your sunburn, such as aloe vera or cortisone cream.
- Or - as long as you aren't allergic to aspirin - crush up a few aspirin tablets into a fine powder and add just enough water until it forms a goopy paste. Apply this to the areas of your body affected by sunburn.
- Avoid petroleum-based or other oil-based creams as these may trap heat and make your sunburn and face peeling even worse.
- Try to moisturize right after you bathe, when your skin is still damp, to help seal in moisture.
Take a cool bath
- Take a cool (just below lukewarm) bath. This can help ease the pain of your sunburn and stop your skin from peeling further.
- Avoid showering if your skin is blistered in addition to peeling, as showering may pop your blisters and trigger more peeling.
- Do not use soaps or bath oils when you bathe. These can make your peeling worse.
Be gentle with your skin
Avoid rubbing your skin with a towel after you bathe. This can make peeling worse. Instead, pat your skin dry with a towel.
Make a cool compress
- Place a cool, wet compress on your skin for 20 to 30 minutes to soothe irritation and stop peeling.
- Be sure not to apply ice directly to your skin as that may cause further irritation.
Keep it covered
Protect your peeling skin from further damage by keeping it covered with clothing or a very thin layer of sunscreen with an SPF of 45 or higher.
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Book an AppointmentAloe vera and moisturizer
- Many people find that aloe vera is an effective moisturizer that helps to soothe irritated skin. It is particularly helpful after a sunburn when the skin is feeling hot and painful.
- Gently apply the lotion with the fingertips. Leave the lotion on top of the sunburn instead of rubbing it all the way into the skin. This will maximize moisturizing effects and minimize irritation.
- Sunburn can dry the skin, and drier skin makes the peeling more intense. Anyone who wishes to stop their skin from peeling after a sunburn should apply moisturizer.
- A study published in the International Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Chemistry recommends using an unscented moisturizer and applying as often as needed to protect the skin following a sunburn.
- Some moisturizers may contain ingredients that are not suitable for sunburn. People who are unsure should check with a pharmacist or doctor.
- Creams and lotions that contain aloe vera provide the benefits of both aloe vera and moisturizer.
Try these home remedies
There is not a great deal of scientific evidence to back up any home or natural remedies for sunburn. But most home or natural remedies are safe to try unless someone misuses them or is allergic. Try:
- applying menthol shaving cream to the skin
- adding baking soda to a cool bath
- putting honey on the skin
When to see a Doctor?
Peeling skin caused by dry skin or mild sunburn is likely to improve with over-the-counter lotions and usually doesn't require medical care.
If you have any doubt about the cause of peeling skin or if the condition is severe, call your doctor before trying over-the-counter lotions or home remedies.
