The skin on the fingertips can peel or crack, which can be both uncomfortable and concerning. Skin peeling on the fingertips is not uncommon, as most instances of peeling skin occur on the hands, feet, or lips.
While skin peeling is usually not a cause for serious concern, it can be associated with several medical conditions, so a prompt diagnosis is important.
Skin peeling on the fingertips can also be accompanied by other skin problems, such as a rash, itchiness, or dryness. In this article, we look at 10 common causes of skin peeling on the fingertips and when it might be necessary to see a doctor. Environmental causes of peeling skin are external rather than internal problems. This category can include the weather and finger-sucking in children. Dry skin is a common condition and can make the skin peel and crack. Dry skin is often caused by frequent hand-washing with soap.
Once these oils are gone, the skin can no longer hold in moisture, causing dry skin or soap dermatitis. People experiencing skin peeling on their fingertips because of frequent hand-washing are advised to wash their hands only when necessary, moisturize afterward, and avoid drying the skin with rough paper towels.
Very dry weather conditions can also dry out the skin, causing it to peel or crack. This can happen in dry winter weather, especially if someone does not wear warm gloves when spending time outdoors.
Sunburn causes damage to the skin via ultraviolet UV rays. The skin can become red, warm, sore, and tender before it starts to peel or flake. A person with sunburn should stay out of the sun and use lotions such as aloe vera to keep their skin moisturized while it is healing.
Finger or thumb-sucking in children is relatively common but can lead to painful sores and peeling skin on the fingertips. While most children grow out of this habit, they may require encouragement and monitoring at first. Similar to nail-biting, some adults may also suck or chew the fingers when stressed or out of habit. Around 13 million people in the United States have jobs that may expose their skin to harmful chemicals.
This includes jobs in agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. Many cleaning products, soaps, and solvents also have chemicals in them that can make the skin dry or irritated. Someone who is regularly exposed to chemicals should be sure to wear protective clothing and wash and moisturize their hands regularly. A range of underlying medical conditions can cause the skin on the fingertips to peel, including:. Hand eczema is a common condition that affects around 10 percent of the U.
It is also known as hand dermatitis. This disease usually occurs in children below the age of 5. It causes inflammation of the blood vessels that may contribute to heart disease in young children. It is segregated into three stages. The first is characterized by high fever that lasts for a few days. Redness and skin inflammation may be noticed too[ 6 ]. A combination of natural remedies and prescription medication can help you deal with the peeling skin on your fingertips. Moisturizing and hydrating agents can help in soothing, reducing and also eliminating a dry skin condition.
These include. Honey is a natural humectant [ 7 ]. It attracts moisture from the environment onto the surface of your skin. It may help you to fix the peeling your fingertips are experiencing. To use this, dab a few drops of honey onto the affected area with a cotton all. Leave for 30 minutes and gently rinse with cold water. Repeat the process thrice everyday for best results.
Petroleum jelly helps to seal-in moisture on your skin. Apply it to the skin around your nails to make them softer. However, as it may make your skin greasy, remember to wash your hands before you indulge in any activities. Use an essential oil to hydrate your fingertips and the peeling skin around your nails. This will also leave them smelling great! Moisturize your skin and finger tips using jojoba oil, sesame oil, myrrh oil or lavender. To use this, mix a few drops of your essential oil in a carrier oil and heat up till lukewarm.
Apply to your fingertips and leave on for about half an hour. Rinse off with cold water. A hot wax treatment can also soothe your peeling skin. This involves the usage of various creams and oils that soothe your skin and prevent it from feeling irritated.
This is usually done if you have a skin disorder like eczema or psoriasis. Your doctor may prescribe a heavy cream or ointment to reduce dryness and seal-in moisture. Some of them also contain anti-inflammatory properties that provide relief from pain. If you notice any bleeding, your doctor may also prescribe an antibiotic cream to prevent infection. Antibiotics may be given by your doctor if the peeling of your finger tips is associated with bacterial infections.
If an allergen is the cause, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines. These work by reducing the production of histamines [ 8 ], which are chemicals made by the immune system. Particular foods or products may trigger immune system responses that produce these chemicals.
This leads to redness, pain, inflammation or peeling. Antihistamines are usually prescribed if you have a skin disorder like eczema [ 9 ]. Your doctor may prescribe first or second generation antihistamines like Allegra fexofenadine , Benadryl diphenhydramine etc. Your cuticles may dry up during cold weather. Make it a point to apply moisturizer regularly and if feasible, carry a small bottle with you everywhere you go.
If you happen to live in extremely cold weather, wear gloves when you step out. Hot water may dry your skin. Constantly washing your hands already plays quite a major role in drying your fingertips. In addition to that, using hot water may contribute to a broken skin barrier. Avoid taking very hot showers. Using lukewarm water and patting your hands dry, rather than rubbing them with a rough towel can help.
Use a product that is moisturizing and avoid using soaps and hand washes that are drying. These tend to dry up your skin and cause your cuticles to peel. Choose a hydrating product that suits your skin type. Food items that are rich in Vitamins B3 and B7 should be taken regularly, in the case of a deficiency [ 10 ].
Consume foods rich in other vitamins and minerals like greens, fruits and other such edibles. Also remember to stay hydrated by drinking more water.
Washing your hands is a good practice, but overwashing them can result in irritated and peeling skin. Overwashing includes:. To avoid the irritation of overwashing, avoid these practices. Moisturize after washing with a fragrance-free moisturizing cream or even plain petroleum jelly. Shop for fragrance-free moisturizing cream online. Irritation that brings on red, itchy bumps and peeling can result from direct contact between the skin on your hand and an allergen a substance that causes an allergic reaction.
This is called allergic contact dermatitis. To stop the allergic reaction , you must identify and then avoid the allergen. For example. Typically affecting young, active adults, exfoliative keratolysis is a skin condition characterized by peeling skin on the palms of the hands and sometimes the soles of the feet.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder in which skin cells multiply faster than normal. This results in red plaques, often with scaling and peeling. If you think you have psoriasis on your hands, see your doctor or dermatologist. They might recommend:. If the skin peeling on your hands is the result of a controllable environmental element such as over exposure to the sun or overwashing your hands, you can probably take care of it at home by. If the skin on your hands is peeling, it might be the result of regular exposure to elements in your environment, such as.
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