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Peeling hands

My 4 year old son had peeling on his feet that lasted about a week. A few days later his hands started, then his toes started again. The second episode has been going on for ten days straight now. I have taken him to the Doctor twice now. The first time they didn't diagnosis him with anything, he just said to keep lotion on them. The second time they said that they think he is just getting over a virus and that is what caused the peeling. I think they don't know what they are talking about. Now they are telling me to see how it looks in another week. His hands are turning more pink and in a week, they will probably be painful for him. Any ideas?
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563773 tn?1374246539
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,

Various possibilities for peeling hands and feet are trauma and allergic or irritant contact dermatitis like washing dishes without wearing gloves,contact with harsh detergents,soaps and lotions that contain perfume can cause hands and fingertips to become irritated and peel.Sometimes cold, dry air can cause  peeling and dermatitis or fungal infections can also cause peeling. In your mother’s case I feel that it can be due to eczema or contact dermatitis.

Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites.You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. For mild-moderate symptoms a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide).

Symptoms can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin. If still the symptoms do not improve then pls get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist. Fungal and viral infections have to be ruled out then.

Hope it helps. Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.

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Avatar universal
Hope you have not given him herbal medicines recently?Pink disease is a rarity caused by mercurials which is mentioned here just as an information.Mostly a viral reaction.
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