Why do my hands peel when the seasons change? It’s not just a lack of vitamins!

Expert of this article: Han Hongyu, Associate Chief Physician, Department of Dermatology, Tangshan Nanhu Hospital

People who often do housework, office workers, and even many children, are prone to peeling fingers when the seasons change from spring to summer.

It not only affects the appearance, but also causes discomfort. The skin on the fingers repeatedly peels off, local dryness and cracks appear, and secondary skin infections occur, with symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain, and pus discharge.

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It may even recur regularly every year! The itching and pain bring a lot of inconvenience to life and work.

Let’s talk about the reasons for peeling fingers.

Why do some people's fingers always peel?

Peeling of the fingers can be caused by a variety of skin diseases such as:

Exfoliative keratolysis, dyshidrotic eczema, contact dermatitis, tinea manuum, certain bacteria, enterovirus infection, etc.; excessive cleaning destroys the skin barrier; children have bad living habits, such as biting their nails and sucking their fingers; picky eating and lack of vitamins.

It occurs more frequently or worsens in summer, and some people have a family history of it.

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The following diseases usually cause peeling of fingers:

One is exfoliative keratolysis, where the fingers repeatedly scaly and the epidermis peels off, and the normal epidermis is revealed after the scales fall off. A small number of people may experience slight itching, pain, dryness and discomfort. It is often accompanied by excessive sweating on the palms, which worsens when the emotions are tense and excited. It is more common in young people and in summer, and there is a family history.

The cause of this disease is not yet fully understood, and may be related to the following reasons:

1. Congenital abnormalities determined by autosomal recessive genes.

2. Excessive sweating on the palms increases the alkaline pH value of the skin and the activity of serine proteases, causing the keratin to fall off prematurely.

3. It is related to factors such as vitamin deficiency, insufficient protein intake, autonomic nervous dysfunction, tension, anxiety, and other neuropsychiatric and dietary factors.

4. Due to physical friction, the skin barrier is destroyed and part of the stratum corneum is peeled off.

5. Soaking your hands in water for a long time will cause the epidermis of the skin on your hands and feet to peel off.

6. Peeling of fingers occurs after taking medications such as rosiglitazone.

The second is dyshidrotic eczema, which is characterized by itchy deep blisters that appear symmetrically on the palms and sides of the fingers. After the blisters dry up, white collar-shaped peeling forms.

It often occurs in summer or gets worse in summer, and recurs regularly every year. There may be excessive sweating of the hands and feet.

Dyshidrosis is related to mental anxiety, excessive sweating of hands and feet, poor perspiration, tinea erythema caused by fungal infection, allergy to heavy metals such as nickel and cobalt at work, or atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, etc. Smoking, ultraviolet radiation, HIV infection, hot and humid climate or seasonal changes can all cause this disease.

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Third, other conditions such as contact dermatitis and certain infections can also cause peeling of fingers.

Irritant contact dermatitis usually affects the back of the hand and the spaces between the fingers, and there is a history of contact with irritants; tinea manuum is a fungal infection, with erythema, blisters and itching on one side of the fingers, followed by peeling; certain bacteria and enterovirus (hand, foot and mouth disease) infection can cause peeling of the fingers.

How to treat peeling fingers?

Strengthen hand skin care, go to the hospital's dermatology department in time, and receive regular treatment based on the cause of the disease.

Keratolysis exfoliativa

Exfoliative keratolysis is a self-limiting disease. If it does not cause obvious discomfort, it generally does not require treatment and can be treated with topical moisturizing skin cream. Patients with recurrent attacks and gradually worsening symptoms should receive drug treatment.

#Topical medication

Retinoic acid cream can promote the exfoliation of scales and keratin.

Salicylic acid ointment can be used for chapped fingers. If the condition worsens, glucocorticoid ointment can be applied topically, but it should not be used for a long time.

Mild moisturizers should be used for a long time: such as Vaseline ointment, allantoin, vitamin E emulsion, etc., which can relieve dryness, prevent chapped skin and protect the skin.

#Oral medication

Vitamin supplements, such as vitamins A, B, C, and E, have moisturizing and antioxidant properties, prevent dry skin and keratinization, repair damaged epidermis, and prevent epidermal exfoliation. For severe cases, small doses of glucocorticoids can be taken orally.

Dyshidrosis

Avoid contact with pathogenic or aggravating factors, treat skin inflammation, and reduce adverse stimulation. Pay attention to hand hygiene and avoid excessive sweating of hands and feet caused by emotional fluctuations. People with allergies should stay away from allergic substances. People who work in an environment with metals such as nickel and lead should temporarily leave the work environment.

#Topical medication

Apply glucocorticoid ointment and calcineurin inhibitors, but do not use them for a long time to avoid adverse reactions. If the local skin peels repeatedly, becomes dry and painful, you can continue to apply moisturizing skin care products.

#Oral medication

Sedatives such as oryzanol and bromide can help improve mental tension.

Antihistamines, such as cetirizine, can help relieve itching.

For glucocorticoids, oral prednisone and other drugs can be used in the acute phase and when the rash is severe, but do not use them for a long time.

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Ringworm

People with tinea manuum should go to the hospital for fungal testing. If the test is positive, antifungal drugs should be used.

If the peeling of fingers is not caused by disease, you need to change your bad living and eating habits, supplement vitamins, avoid contact with irritants, and use more hand cream. All medications must be guided by a regular dermatologist and follow the doctor's advice.

How to prevent peeling fingers?

Keep your hands dry and clean, avoid soaking your hands for a long time, and use non-irritating moisturizing skin care products after washing your hands with warm water.

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Reduce contact with alkaline detergents, such as dishwashing liquid, soap, perfumed soap, laundry detergent, etc.

Do not contact with allergenic substances such as chromium, nickel, etc. Wear gloves when contacting irritants.

Avoid prolonged physical friction, such as pulling, carrying, etc.

Avoid scratching or tearing the skin to prevent infection.

Avoid alcohol, spicy food, seafood, fish, shrimp and other allergy-prone foods, drink plenty of water, do not be picky about food, and ensure a balanced diet. Eat more foods containing vitamins and dietary fiber, such as corn, carrots, grains, soybeans, root vegetables, fruits and vegetables, etc.

Engage in appropriate physical exercise, maintain a good mood, maintain a regular lifestyle, avoid excessive mental stress and emotional fluctuations, and live in a quiet, clean and comfortable environment.

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