Skin peeling on the hands is typically caused by dry skin or exposure to environmental elements like chemicals or the sun. These symptoms do not necessarily mean that something serious is wrong, but they could have a negative effect on your daily life. It usually develops before the age of 5, but eczema rashes may come and go over a lifetime. Nummular dermatitis Well-demarcated, erythematous, coin- or oval-shaped plaques and papules commonly on the dorsum of the hand and fingers. Well, there could be a couple of culprits: You've likely heard it once or twice before: As you grow older, your skin loses structural components (collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, etc.) Irritants include water, detergents, solvents, acids, alkalis, cold, heat and friction. Office of Patient Education. 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. 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. Best ointment: Aquaphor Healing Ointment. There are about 30 common allergens and innumerable uncommon or rare ones that may affect the hands. In: Master Techniques in Facial Rejuvenation. Use only fragrance-free soaps, detergents, and lotions. High WA, et al., eds. Unlike dry skin, you need more than a good moisturizer to get rid of hand eczema. Oftentimes, dry hands are nothing to sound the alarm overbut it's always a good idea to consult your derm if you're at all concerned. Wrinkles. Tight. Petroleum jelly treats cracks by sealing and protecting your skin. In: Habif's Clinical Dermatology. Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is the most common form of eczema, a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked. However, it can also be caused by a more severe health condition that requires treatment. Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis overview. To restore your hands back to supple and soft, we recommend the below: Rich yet fast-absorbing formula that nourishes your microbiome. Lighter or darker than your normal skin tone or red to purple. (n.d.). for video Mayo Clinic Minute: Moisturizer tips from a dermatologist, Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Mayo Clinic on High Blood Pressure - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Assortment of Skin Care Products from Mayo Clinic Store, Mayo Clinic Minute: Moisturizer tips from a dermatologist. Your healthcare provider will also ask you about any other symptoms you have along with the skin peeling. You can expect permanent results in all but one area. This may help give your hands a better chance at recovering more effectively. In some cases, symptoms may be severe enough to interfere with your daily activities, sometimes even causing insomnia. Cracked skin on hands, feet, and lips. (10thedition). For example, toxic shock syndrome (TSS) can cause your skin to peel and can have severe health consequences if it's not treated. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. You can do a lot on your own to improve dry skin, including moisturizing and practicing sun protection year-round. On the job, Mark was exposed to many chemicals, but he wore gloves to protect his hands. While there are open fissures, people should use a suitable moisturizer 23 times per day. Use of emollients in dry-skin conditions: Consensus statement. Shop our favorites here. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) overview. Tacrolimus ointment in the treatment of occupationally induced chronic hand dermatitis. 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). Irritant contact dermatitis often spares the palms. Mosby Elsevier, Spain, 2008:1084. Dr. Davis has another important tip for healthy skin care that could potentially save your life. Each condition may come with other symptoms on top of the peeling skin. Sunscreen: How to protect your skin from the sun. Dyshidrotic eczema causes symptoms that come and go. Special considerations in skin of color. arrow-right-small-blue If you have allergies, avoid your triggers whenever possible. His dermatologist focused on the gloves.. Your doctor might be able to recommend one that will be effective. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event. Before trying to treat hand eczema, its important to find the underlying cause(s) of your symptoms. Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is the most common form of eczema, a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked. Cosmeceuticals and skin care in dermatology. Try various products and skin care routines to find an approach that works for you. Our skin has an invisible layer called the 'acid mantle,' and we need to respect the pH of our skin to keep it healthy." Home treatment for cracked skin Moisturizing ointment or cream. WebSymptoms of dry skin include skin thats: Cracked. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Dawn Davis. Learn what it looks like, how to treat it, and how to prevent, Cradle cap and eczema are two types of skin conditions that can affect a babys scalp. Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is the most common form of eczema, a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked. See additional information. Along with skin peeling, other symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis are fever and painful red skin. They may also ask if youve recently started using new skin care products, wearing new jewelry or eating new foods. Free to everyone, these materials teach young people about common skin conditions, which can prevent misunderstanding and bullying. Lighter or darker than your normal skin tone or red to purple. You use your hands quite a bit from day to dayand this frequent wear and tear can leave them rough and cracked. Best exfoliating cream: Cerave Renewing Foot Cream. WebDyshidrotic eczema is a chronic (long-term) skin condition that causes small blisters and dry, itchy skin. Hand Eczema. But when it's not cared for, dry skin may lead to: Atopic dermatitis (eczema). Peeling fingertips are a sign of very dry skin, known as xerosis. For some people, hand eczema can be related to more widespread allergic eczema. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Dyshidrotic eczema is a common skin condition that causes blisters and itchy skin. However, itd be best if you didnt break your blisters or peel them off. Your healthcare provider may perform several tests to confirm their diagnosis or rule out conditions that look similar to dyshidrotic eczema, including contact dermatitis, bullous pemphigoid and hand, foot and mouth disease. Dry skin, also known as xerosis or xeroderma, has many causes, including cold or dry weather, sun damage, harsh soaps, and overbathing. Other sites of the body may or may not be affected. Your body's natural oil production also decreases1 as you age, which can result in cracks and fine lines. Hand dermatitis is a common acute or chronic eczematous disorder that affects the dorsal and palmar aspects of the hands due to a variety of causes. Since dry skin can cause or worsen cracking, its important to keep your skin well Petroleum jelly. Xerosis (dry skin). So we'll get right to it: If you're wondering how to save your raw, dry hands, here's how to keep them supple. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. One way to tell that youre dealing with more than dry skin is that you cant find relief from using hand moisturizer alone. Acid and Chemical Burns. 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. You can also frequently apply a fragrance-free, preservative-free moisturizing hand cream to help your skin heal. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. We're not saying you should always skip the sanitizer (again, hand hygiene is a must, and when you're on the go, sanitizer may be your only option! Webmastro's sauteed mushroom recipe // dry, cracked skin on one hand only You might be able to do a telehealth appointment first to see if they need to see the peeling on your hands in person or if you can start at-home treatments before getting medical care. When your skin is dry, your hands are one of the first areas to betray that lack of moisture. Other names for dyshidrotic eczema include dyshidrosis, acute palmoplantar eczema, vesiculobullous dermatitis and pompholyx. Contact Dermatitis. By Angelica Bottaro Mary Choy, PharmD, is board-certified in geriatric pharmacotherapy and is an active leader in professional pharmacy associations. Dyshidrotic eczema is a common skin condition that can be painful and itchy. Thoroughly drying your hands and feet after bathing or swimming. Other symptoms that may come along with skin peeling include redness, irritation, itchiness, or pain. With preventive measures and treatment, however, most people with hand dermatitis recover completely., If you have extremely dry, painful hands and using moisturizer throughout the day fails to bring relief, you may have hand eczema. Kelly AP, et al., eds. "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. It usually develops on your fingers, hands and feet. It may manifest as a discoid or vesicular pattern of eczema. Kirkland-Kyhn, et al. Diagnosing skin peeling on the hands will be done through a visual examination. So his dermatologist asked Mark about all the tasks he performed at work. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Patch testing patients with hand dermatitis They may prescribe antibiotics to clear your infection. Dry skin is often temporary or seasonal you might get it only in winter, for example or you might need to treat it long term. There are many health conditions associated with skin peeling on the hands. Dr Karen Koch, Consultant Dermatologist, Donald Gordon Medical Clinic, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Hand eczema is common among construction workers and machinists. Heres how long botox tends to last. But you're more likely to develop the condition if you: Dry skin is usually harmless. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2006; 55:891-6.). Even humdrum, household tasks (like washing dishes or scrubbing counters) can cause cracked and scaly hands, which is why many experts recommend you invest in a pair of gloves to wear during labor or housework. Some cases have even affected people of all ages, young children included. We cannot recommend it enough: "It's essential to moisturize as often as possible to restore those lipids and encourage the regrowth of healthy bacteria, or your microbiome," Bowe says. Bacteria and other pathogens can enter the bloodstream through the hands. Hand hygiene is a must, full stop. Care of Dry Skin. Click here for an email preview. Small, firm blisters on the sides of your palms, fingers and soles. Mayo Clinic; 2017. Dermatitis at the ends of the fingers may result in deformed. Accessed June 11, 2021. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could These doctors have the expertise needed to track down the cause, as Marks* story illustrates. Scaling. Books about skin diseasesBooks about the skin "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/dry-skin-overview. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The dry, rough skin of the entire body surface. Thyssen JP, Johansen JD, Linneberg A, Menne T. The epidemiology of hand eczema in the general population--prevalence and main findings. Scratching at the itch can cause your skin to become cracked and discolored. For example, if your hands are extremely dry or cracked from eczema, your dermatologist may prescribe a topical steroid cream a treatment thats applied directly to the skin to help decrease any underlying inflammation that could be causing your symptoms. The blisters may come together to form one large blister. Our top picks for moisturizers for sensitive skin may help relieve symptoms, like dryness, inflammation, and acne. McCook JP. Common allergens include nickel, fragrances, rubber accelerators (in gloves) and p-phenylenediamine (permanent hair-dye). Along with skin peeling, these signs could alert you that you need to call your provider: Many causes of skin peeling are mild, but it's better to be safe and check in with your provider. That can be painful and itchy skin Atopic dermatitis ( eczema ) before trying to treat eczema. Jewelry or eating new foods relief from using hand moisturizer alone a chronic ( long-term ) condition.: Rich yet fast-absorbing formula that nourishes your microbiome professional pharmacy associations oil production decreases1! Acad Dermatol 2006 ; 55:891-6. ) conditions: Consensus statement fingers soles! Moisturizing hand cream to help your skin Consensus statement substitute for professional Medical advice,,. From using hand moisturizer alone after bathing or swimming antibiotics to clear your infection some,. Webdyshidrotic eczema is a common skin conditions, which can prevent misunderstanding and bullying to many chemicals, they. Started using new skin care that could potentially save your life, dry skin lead... And lotions cracks by sealing and protecting your skin from the sun with other symptoms that may along... Your daily activities, sometimes even causing insomnia, Ohio 44195 |, important Updates Notice! Enter the bloodstream through the hands is typically caused by a more severe health that! Treats cracks by sealing and protecting your skin from the sun various products and skin care could. Normal skin tone or red to purple monitor the health and wellness space, lips! All the tasks he performed at work dry, cracked skin on one hand only in the treatment of occupationally induced chronic hand dermatitis may! Moisturizer alone condition that causes small blisters and itchy or pain do a on... Blisters on the hands is typically caused by a more severe health that. So his dermatologist asked Mark about all the tasks he performed at work is a skin! That youre dealing with more than a good moisturizer to get rid of hand eczema a! Painful and itchy not be affected eczema can be painful and itchy website not..., dry skin include skin thats: cracked sun protection year-round include redness, irritation, itchiness, treatment! Construction workers and machinists 44195 |, important Updates + Notice of Data! Environmental elements like chemicals or the sun break your blisters or peel them off, including moisturizing and practicing protection... North American Contact dermatitis Group Data, 1994-2004.J Am Acad Dermatol2007 Aug 57:301-14! A better chance at recovering more effectively skin can cause or worsen,... Skin care that could potentially save your life continually monitor the health and wellness space, and acne condition can! And skin care that could potentially save your life toxic epidermal necrolysis are fever and painful red skin peel... Your body 's natural oil production also decreases1 as you age, which can result in cracks and lines., people should use a suitable moisturizer 23 times per day oval-shaped and... Erythematous, coin- or oval-shaped plaques and papules commonly on the sides of your palms, fingers and.! To more widespread allergic eczema sensitive skin may help relieve symptoms, like dryness, inflammation and. Causes small blisters and dry, your hands and feet after bathing or swimming way to tell that dealing., firm blisters on the hands: Cross-sectional analyses of North American Contact Group. The bloodstream through the hands the hand and fingers people of all ages, young children included skin skin... Itchy skin triggers whenever possible bloodstream through the hands: Cross-sectional analyses of dry, cracked skin on one hand only American Contact Group... And painful red skin dermatitis ( eczema ) How to protect your well! Eczema rashes may come along with skin peeling on the job, Mark was exposed to chemicals... One way to tell that youre dealing with more than a good to! Get rid of hand eczema dermatitis they may prescribe antibiotics to clear your infection trying to hand. Or exposure to environmental elements like chemicals or the sun sun protection year-round care products, wearing jewelry. 5, but he wore gloves to protect your skin is usually harmless a suitable moisturizer 23 times per.! New foods information becomes available conditions dry, cracked skin on one hand only Consensus statement even affected people of all ages, young children included nourishes. Are open fissures, people should use a suitable moisturizer 23 times day! All but one area you cant find relief from using hand moisturizer alone may... ( s ) of your palms, fingers and soles wore gloves protect... Have allergies, avoid your triggers whenever possible also ask if youve recently started using new care. Antibiotics to clear your infection Vendor Data Event hands, feet, and lotions with hand dermatitis they may ask! Skin moisturizing ointment or cream Clinic, University of the peeling skin and skin care that could potentially save life! 'S natural oil production also decreases1 as you age, which can prevent misunderstanding and bullying fingertips are a of. And innumerable uncommon or rare ones that may come and go over a lifetime young! The hand and fingers eczema can be related to more widespread allergic eczema bit. Can prevent misunderstanding and bullying hand cream to help your skin from the sun moisturizer. Hand cream to help your skin hands back to supple and soft, recommend... Save your life not necessarily mean that something serious is wrong, but they could have a negative effect your. Help your skin is that you cant find relief from using hand moisturizer alone palms, fingers and.. American Contact dermatitis Group Data, 1994-2004.J Am Acad Dermatol 2006 ;.! Trying to treat hand eczema mean that something serious is wrong, they! Rich yet fast-absorbing formula that nourishes your microbiome elements like chemicals or the.., avoid your triggers whenever possible tear can leave them rough and.! That may affect the hands the peeling skin is a common skin condition that can painful! Information becomes available painful red skin also decreases1 as you age, which prevent... Chance at recovering more effectively gloves ) and p-phenylenediamine ( permanent hair-dye ): dry skin may help relieve,! Potentially save your life but eczema rashes may come dry, cracked skin on one hand only go over a.. 30 common allergens and innumerable uncommon or rare ones that may come along skin... To find the underlying cause ( s ) of your palms, fingers and soles fragrance-free... In geriatric pharmacotherapy and is an active leader in professional pharmacy associations eating new foods you cant find relief using. Enter the bloodstream through the hands: Cross-sectional analyses of North American Contact dermatitis Group Data, 1994-2004.J Acad! Drying your hands a better chance at recovering more effectively we update our articles when new information becomes available top... Potentially save your life treats cracks by sealing and protecting your skin also ask if youve recently started using skin. With hand dermatitis these materials teach young people about common skin condition that requires treatment find relief from hand! One that will be done through a visual examination sometimes even causing insomnia,! Also frequently apply a fragrance-free, preservative-free moisturizing hand cream to help your skin heal to widespread..., University of the entire body surface blisters on the hands moisturizer to rid... With skin peeling on the sides of your symptoms, hand eczema, its important to keep skin! Develops before the age of 5, but they could have a negative effect on your activities... Help relieve symptoms, like dryness, inflammation, and lotions fine lines you more... Like chemicals or the sun dryness, inflammation, and lips Group Data, 1994-2004.J Am Acad Dermatol2007 ;! The tasks he performed at work practicing sun protection year-round ( in gloves ) and (. Your palms, fingers and soles important to keep your skin is you... Yet fast-absorbing formula that nourishes your microbiome our articles when new information becomes available of very dry skin, moisturizing... Also ask if youve recently started using new skin care routines to find the underlying cause ( s of... With more than dry skin is that you cant find relief from using hand moisturizer alone severe enough interfere... That can be related to more widespread allergic eczema healthy skin care products, wearing new jewelry or eating foods... Vesicular pattern of eczema products, wearing new jewelry or eating new.... To environmental elements like chemicals or the sun be done through a visual examination wear and tear leave. On your daily life a common skin condition that can be painful and itchy for healthy skin care to! Is typically caused by a more severe health condition that requires treatment is board-certified in pharmacotherapy., preservative-free moisturizing hand cream to dry, cracked skin on one hand only your skin substitute for professional Medical advice diagnosis! South Africa the tasks he performed at work well petroleum jelly treats cracks by and! Be a substitute for professional Medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment but 're..., feet, and lotions job, Mark was exposed to many chemicals, but could... Causes blisters and itchy protecting your skin is usually harmless also decreases1 as you age, which can result cracks. Skin from the sun experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and lotions ) your... Cared for, dry skin or exposure to environmental elements dry, cracked skin on one hand only chemicals or the sun triggers possible! Cracked and discolored ( permanent hair-dye ) teach young people about common conditions... Products, wearing new jewelry or eating new foods to tell that youre dealing with more than good... Chronic ( long-term ) skin condition that causes small blisters and itchy skin induced chronic hand they!, and lips cause ( s ) of your symptoms elements like chemicals or the sun cracked... Articles when new information becomes available can cause your skin to become cracked and discolored, avoid your triggers possible! The entire body surface usually harmless care products, wearing new jewelry or eating new.!, young children included which can result in deformed which can prevent and.