- Acne treatments.
Anti-aging treatments like retinol creams and chemical peels.
Cancer treatments like radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Certain medications, vitamins and herbal supplements.
Peeling Skin
What is peeling skin?
Peeling skin happens when your body sheds some of your skin’s outer layer called the epidermis. The peeling or flaking process is your skin’s way of recovering or healing from some type of damage. The damage may be from environmental elements, skin conditions, allergies, infections or certain diseases and treatments. The medical term for peeling skin is desquamation.
What does peeling skin look like?
The part of peeling skin that you see is your epidermis. This is the outermost layer of your skin and also the thinnest layer. Even though your epidermis is thin, it plays an important role in protecting your body against bacteria and germs. It also makes new skin cells to replace the thousands of cells that die off every day.
Peeling skin may be:
- Flaky or scaly (dry skin).
- Irritated or inflamed.
- Itchy (pruritis).
What conditions can cause your skin to peel?
Peeling skin can be the result of:
Skin damage
Burns.
Skin irritation from friction.
Sunburns.
Genetic or inflammatory diseases
Kawasaki disease.
Peeling skin syndrome.
Infectious diseases
Group A streptococcal infections like scarlet fever.
Staph infections like impetigo.
Toxic shock syndrome.
Skin conditions
Allergic reactions, including contact dermatitis, skin rashes and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) and jock itch (tinea cruris).
Dry skin.
Edema (fluid retention and swelling).
Pemphigus.
Seborrheic dermatitis.
Skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis and erythrodermic psoriasis.
You should let peeling skin slough off naturally. The peeling is part of your skin’s natural healing process. Picking at or pulling off peeling skin can create an opening that lets in bacteria. This increases your risk of infection.
If you have peeling skin, these actions may help:
Apply fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizing cream or ointment (they’re thicker than lotions). Or apply aloe vera to soothe a sunburn.
Drink plenty of water to keep your skin well hydrated.
Seek help to quit smoking (nicotine damages your skin).
Shower (don’t bathe) in warm water (hot water is drying).
Take steps to protect yourself from sun damage.
Use a humidifier to put moisture into the air.
When should I call the doctor?
You should call your healthcare provider if you have unexplained peeling skin or develop signs of an infection like fever or chills.
References
- merican Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Association. Chemical Peels: Overview (https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/younger-looking/chemical-peels-overview). Accessed 4/15/2022.
- American Cancer Society (ACS). Radiation Therapy Side Effects (https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/radiation/effects-on-different-parts-of-body.html). Accessed 4/15/2022.
- Grosshandler JA, El-Charif M, Shamma HN. Lifelong Desquamation of the Hands and Feet (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/article-abstract/1861490). JAMA Dermatol. 2014 Jun;150(6):647–648. Accessed 4/15/2022.
- Has C. Peeling Skin Disorders: A Paradigm for Skin Desquamation (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X18320426). J Investigat Dermatol. 2018 Aug;138(8):1689-91. Accessed 4/15/2022.
- Merck Manual (Consumer Version). Psoriasis (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/skin-disorders/psoriasis-and-scaling-disorders/psoriasis). Accessed 4/15/2022.
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). Peeling Skin Syndrome (https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/peeling-skin-syndrome/). Accessed 4/15/2022.
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