Peeling skin on the hands: pathology or temporary discomfort

Peeling on the hands is a signal that the skin is not hydrated enough. In diagnostics, this sign is called “xerosis.” The causes of dry and flaky hand skin are not always pathological. Often this only means that you need to change your household habits. If the discomfort does not go away for a long time, the symptoms increase, you need to contact a dermatologist for an examination.

Causes

The cause of eczema is the body’s reaction to a variety of factors: chemical, infectious, medicinal, physical.
This reaction can be genetically determined (up to 60% if both parents have eczema) and consists of a complex of inadequate reactions of the body’s immune, nervous and endocrine systems to antigens. Why hands? Our hands come into contact with a huge number of different substances and environments: microbes and fungi, various detergents and cleaners, antiseptics (even in soap), temperature effects, prolonged exposure to water, professional contact with various aggressive chemicals. It is not surprising that at some point the body can malfunction and react violently to a seemingly ordinary stimulus.

What causes dry hand skin

The reasons why hands become rough and dry can be divided into two groups: external and internal.

Internal factors include:

• disruption of the functionality of internal organs and systems;
• weakened immune system;
• hereditary predisposition to dry skin of the hands;
• hypovitaminosis or vitamin deficiency (insufficient amount of vitamins);
• changes in hormonal balance;
• an allergic reaction to something;
• stress reactions.

External factors that lead to dry skin:

• negative effects of detergents;
• low-quality or unsuitable cosmetics;
• improper hygiene;
• adverse weather conditions;
• deficiency of moisture and fats;
• frequent contact with hot water;
• harmful effects of ultraviolet rays.

If a moisture deficiency occurs, which is accompanied by roughness, cracking, tightness and wrinkling, it is recommended to thoroughly reconsider your lifestyle and find out what led to dehydrated hand skin.

Forecast

The prognosis for eczema is most often favorable.
If you start proper treatment in time, you can curb the disease and get rid of its consequences. With adequate therapy, itching and elements of the old rash disappear, a new rash does not appear. Eczema is a chronic disease, so it is worth adhering to preventive measures and maintaining a state of remission. However, the timing of relapse is still unpredictable. Doctors give the most favorable prognosis for acute eczema. Recovery may be worse if eczema develops in young children, the elderly, or people whose bodies are weakened by infection. To enhance drug treatment, a hypoallergenic diet, physical activity, walking and hardening will help.

Associated symptoms

Often, xerosis is a temporary phenomenon that is disturbing during the cold season. The intensity of the manifestation depends on the general condition of the body, age, and the presence of pathological causes. Additional symptoms may indicate that the condition is caused by a disease:

• redness that spreads to adjacent areas of the skin;
• feeling of tightness, discomfort;
• microcracks;
• wrinkled, dehydrated skin;
• increasing itching;
• the appearance of wounds and ulcers that are difficult to heal;
• roughening of the skin, thickening of the top layer.

Depending on the pathogenesis of the disease, the dermatologist will prescribe a comprehensive treatment regimen with procedures and medications.

Treatment of cracks in hands

A large number of people are concerned about the problem of cracking the skin of their hands. To date, many methods have been created to treat this problem.

First of all, it is recommended to take vitamins for cracks in the fingers - A and E. They are found in eggs, fish, walnuts, dairy products, cottage cheese, and the like. It is important to consume sufficient quantities of B vitamins and ascorbic acid. If, in addition to cracking of the skin, redness and itching occur, the use of fungicidal creams is indicated to kill fungal infections.

Hands are treated with cosmetic compositions with aloe vera, retinol and vitamin D. In case of severe and painful bleeding of cracks, it is recommended to apply special medical glue to the injured areas.

If the crack does not heal for a long time, it needs to be treated thoroughly. The surface of the hands is washed with warm water (pre-cleaned with soap), and then dried with a paper towel or naturally. A special ointment with antibacterial properties is applied to the injured area, and the treated area is covered with a bactericidal plaster.

Due to the drying out of the skin, the cracks begin to bleed, so it is necessary to constantly moisturize it. The main moisturizer (available in terms of ease of purchase and low cost) is petroleum jelly, which is mixed with lemon oil to give the mixture an antifungal effect. The composition can be applied daily at night, after which thin cotton gloves are put on your hands.

Interesting! A good cream with vitamins for cracked fingers should not contain alcohol. It is best to choose products with lanolin, coconut oil, jojoba oil, tea tree oil, shea butter and the like.

When choosing effective drugs to eliminate cracking of the epidermis, you should pay attention to high-quality pharmaceutical formulations:

• Bepanten;
• Rescuer;
• Solcoseryl, etc.

If eczema or psoriasis worsens, the patient needs to seek help from an experienced medical specialist in the field of dermatology or use formulations with hydrocortisone and alternative medications.

Clinical researches

Conducted clinical studies prove the high efficiency, safety and tolerability of the products. The products are suitable for daily care of adult and children's skin with mild to moderate forms of atopic dermatitis and during remission. As a result of therapy, a decrease in the activity of the inflammatory process, a decrease in dryness, itching and flaking was noted.

The brand's products are recommended by the Union of Pediatricians of Russia.

Sources:

1. Yukhtina N.V., Modern ideas about atopic dermatitis in children
2. Kamasheva G.R., Khakimova R.F. Valiullina S.A., Methods for assessing the severity of atopic dermatitis in young children, Dermatology journal, 2010
3. Kovyazina N.A., Fedosimova N.A., Illek Ya. Yu. Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis in young children, Vyatka Medical Bulletin, 2007

Features of seasonal care for dry skin

What to do and how to deal with very dry skin in winter and summer? Will basic care methods vary depending on the season? Yes - and now we will tell you how.

Care in autumn and winter

Dry hands in the autumn-winter period is one of the common problems in both women and men. The skin of your hands may peel, suffer from dryness and a feeling of tightness... The following measures will help combat the fact that your palms or fingers are peeling:

1. Use special hand products designed for use before going outside, and moisturizing and restorative products after returning home.
2. Try not to appear outside without gloves, protect your hands from temperature changes and sharp winds.
3. Do not forget to regularly moisturize your hands when in a room where heating devices are operating.

Care in spring and summer

If your hands peel in the warm season, it may also be a matter of incorrectly chosen care, or a possible lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet. Here's how you can try to fix this situation:

1. Try not only to moisturize the skin of your hands, but also to protect it from aggressive sun rays using cosmetics with SPF protection.
2. Remember to drink enough clean water to prevent general dehydration.
3. Watch your diet: eat more vegetables, fruits, fatty fish and other sources of skin-healthy nutrients.

Nutrition for vitamin deficiency of the hands

Proper, balanced nutrition is the key to the prevention and rapid treatment of vitamin deficiency. Since this form of the disease, such as vitamin deficiency of the hands, speaks primarily of a lack of vitamins of groups A, B and E in the body, doctors recommend consuming foods rich in these particular vitamins.

The diet must include:

• meat, fish, seafood, eggs;
• legumes, grains, fermented milk products (cottage cheese, cheese, fermented baked milk, yogurt, sour cream);
• fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts.

It is better to replace refined drinks with a high sugar content with juices, fruit drinks and compotes, preferably homemade, without preservatives.

Diseases that are accompanied by dry skin

If dry skin is caused by pathologies inside the body, you should consult a doctor.
Creams, ointments and baths will only provide a temporary effect. While the skin will only be helped by eliminating the pathology that caused moisture deficiency. The following can lead to dehydration of the hands: allergies, fungus, iron deficiency anemia, gastrointestinal pathologies, skin diseases, weakened immunity, diabetes mellitus and other reasons. Allergies
An allergic reaction can be caused by wearing inappropriate jewelry on your hands or eating foods. Only a dermatologist can help determine the type of allergen. You can get rid of dry skin caused by allergens by completely eliminating contact with them.

Fungal infection
Dry hand skin can be a consequence of the pathological effects of fungi.
Often the feet and nail plates are simultaneously affected. If you suspect a fungus of any nature, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist or mycologist. The doctor will help determine the type of disease and tell you how to get rid of it. Iron deficiency anemia
Dry hand skin is just one of the manifestations of this disease, however, it is not the most pleasant one.
Timely consultation with a doctor (hematologist or therapist) and a balanced diet can completely get rid of anemia and its manifestations. Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract
If the functions of any of the gastrointestinal organs are disrupted, the process of food absorption is disrupted.
Lack of vitamins and microelements adversely affects the skin. This becomes the main cause of dry epidermis. Skin diseases of various types
Psoriasis, dermatitis, keratosis, and eczema can lead to disruption of the hydrolipid balance. They not only cause dry hands, but also manifest as cracks, itching and redness in many areas of the skin. In this case, careful medical monitoring of the skin of the hands and other affected areas is required. Proper use of medications will help get rid of pathologies and their unpleasant manifestations.

Diabetes mellitus
With the development of diabetic neuropathy, sweating is impaired, which provokes the appearance of small cracks in the skin, dryness and a feeling of tightness.
Medicines prescribed by a doctor will help reduce the unpleasant manifestations of the pathology. Weakened immunity
Immune system dysfunction is not uncommon these days. Poor environmental conditions, overwork, poor nutrition and ignoring diseases - all this leads to weak immunity. In turn, manifestations on the skin in the form of dryness, cracks and redness serve as a signal about the need to monitor your own health. The skin on the hands and face suffers first, because they come into most contact with the environment.

Taking a multivitamin complex

Taking multivitamin complexes can provide quick help in the fight against vitamin deficiency. Today the market offers a huge number of high quality and effective products. These complexes are pure synthetic chemical compounds containing the necessary balanced set of vitamins and microelements. A specialist should recommend such drugs to each individual individually.

Daily regimen for vitamin deficiency

Compliance with the daily regimen for a disease such as vitamin deficiency, in any form, is of great importance. Getting enough sleep, walking in the fresh air, playing sports, sunbathing - all these factors will help prevent the disease or cope with it if it already exists.

Giving up bad habits will also help overcome vitamin deficiency, improve overall health, increase immunity and resistance to seasonal respiratory diseases.

The main causes of cracks in hands

The cause of pathological changes may be connective tissue disease, diabetes, iron deficiency anemia, and the like. Of the skin diseases that cause cracking of the epidermis, the most attention should be paid to eczema and psoriasis. With eczema, focal redness and peeling of the epidermis appear, which are accompanied by severe itching. With psoriasis, certain areas of the skin become thick and pink, and silvery scales are visible on the surface.

Cracking of the epidermis between the fingers can be caused by fungal infections. Often these diseases worry patients with excessive sweating of their hands. In this case, the epidermis peels off and itching is felt. If the fungus has infected the nails, their shade changes, a white mass accumulates under the nail plates, and the nail peels off from the bed.

Cracks on the fingers of the upper extremities can appear due to contact dermatitis associated with allergies to household chemicals. In childhood, atopic dermatitis with similar symptoms can occur.