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Recurrent peeling of hands

For a number of years now I've experienced periodic peeling of my hands, roughly twice a year.  It usually seems to happen in late spring or autumn.  A number of times I've suffered through a peeling episode, only to visit someplace with a different climate and have the episode start all over again.  Other than this observation, I really have no evidence that it's climate or season-related, but there it is.

The episodes always follow the same pattern:  I'll notice that the skin on my palms and fingers (specifically, the skin with epidermal ridges) feels stiff and inflexible for a day or two, followed by a rather intense "fever" that is limited to my hands, similar to the hot skin associated with a sunburn.  I can grip a thermometer and send it as high as 40 degrees C. My hands get hot enough that other people can feel the heat they radiate, which is something of a family joke these days.

After a day or two of this, I begin to see small red splotches deep through the skin on my hands, as if they were under the skin rather than on the skin itself.  The spots are not painful, nor do they itch, though they present a very slight bump on the skin which is noticably more sensitive than the surrounding skin.  Sometimes they appear in clusters of twos and threes, but generally form single small red spots 1-3mm in diameter, spaced roughly every centimeter or so across all the skin with epidermal ridges.  The affected area is limited to my hands, and my feet are in no way affected.

Within a couple days, the skin over these locations forms an air pocket which peels painlessly.  This process continues for two weeks or more, until all the skin with epidermal ridges has peeled away, leaving smooth, extremely thin, tender pink skin with no texture, roughly equivalent to the skin you might find on your lips.  I have no discernable fingerprints during this period.  Over the course of the next month or two the new skin thickens, toughens, and the epidermal ridges again become evident, just in time for the process to repeat itself.  During and immediately after the peeling process I have to be very careful about handling rough objects as the new skin tears very easily, which has become a severe handicap at work during these episodes, since even holding a pencil can be painful.

I've had several doctors tell me in the past that it was possibly an allergy or chemical burn of some kind, but since the symptoms progress rapidy to the peeling stage from the initial symptoms (usually about a week), I've never been able to get to a doctor during the inital stages, and it's not exactly something you'd go to the emergency room for.  I cannot imagine what chemical I could have come into contact with for the last fifteen years and not draw a connection, so I've tended to rul the burn idea out.  If it were a seasonal allergy, then the source exists in North America, Europe, and both southwest and southeast Asia, since I've had multiple episodes in all these locations.  I therefore tend to find the allergy explanation somewhat wanting as well.

Generally what happens is that I'll call the doctor, I'll get an appointment a week away, and show up with peeling hands.  He'll nod his head, tell me he's not certain what it is, prescribe a tube of something white and strong-smelling, and I'll apply it as directed.  A month from then I'll be back for a follow-up, he'll nod and say it looks like its healing, and that will be it.  I'll be back with symptoms again in two or three months. The frustrating part is that I've stopped going to see the doctor over it because the symptoms are unchanging and it heals in the same amount of time regardless of whether I see a doctor, use his prescription, or otherwise. Lotions, moisturizers, hydrocortizones, antihistamines, and the like have no discernable effect on this.

I've reached a point where I'm sick of putting up with it and am considering going to a specialist.  I thought I'd give a public forum like this one a try and see if perhaps I could find some leads first before I did.

Does anyone have any experience with something like this?  I'm suffering through an episode as we speak, so even usggestions for mitigating it are welcome.
12 Responses
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Avatar universal
I have the same exact condition. Every spring and fall. This fall has been rough. The longest it's ever lasted. The only thing I don't get that you have are the red dots before the peeling.  My dermatologist  said nothing is wrong with us. Some people just shed skin.  Some once a year and some twice. Seasonal changes can trigger it. Just make sure to avoid hand sanitizers, cleaning products, and wash your hands less during the peeling and fever hands time.  I also think I discovered the solution in the midst of my misery this season. I cut a piece of my aloe plant and rubbed the aloe all over the palms of my hands. Then I took organic pure coconut oil (thanks to all of the people posting with coconut oil suggestions) and put it on top and rubbed it all in. Then your hand will feel a little sticky but try avoiding touching anything until its completely dry. It wont feel creepy once its  dry, I promise. Immediately  after that my hand appeared to be completely normal no matter how bad your hands got before doing it. I did this the day before I went to the dermatologist and he could barely see anything. I had to resort to showing him pictures from the day before, before I put on my concoction.  Use it daily until its completely gone. If you stop it will come back after a day or two and the peeling begins again. It's amazing how much it work. Try it next time you have it and make sure to use both. The magic only happens with both at the same time. Also for anyone who is being selective about the coconut oil, I tried cisco pure coconut oil that I found at the supermarket and it's the same exact thing as all the other ones out there.  Nature is always the best cure apparently.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I have the same thing with the same symptoms. Mine happens about 2 or 3 times a year. It's only been about 5 or 6 years ago when I first noticed it. So before it starts to peel your hands feel very tight and if feels like there wrapped up. Then it starts getting red spots but my hands burn and ich. Then they peel up into the skin texture you were talking about. I have not found a way to stop it so I'm not sure if I should suck it up and live with it, or find some answers.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My father, myself and two of my children (7 and 11 now) have dealt with this for the majority of our lives. Spring and Fall. I lived in Iowa for 28 years and now live in Arizona. Same time frame, same symptoms. I'm very interested in the suggestion of aloe and coconut oil. We use coconut oil for a lot of other things already, so we have plenty. I've just gotten used to it, but I feel bad for my kids. I'm sure they will be thrilled if it works!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh my goodness. I'm so glad I found this thread! I have the exact same occurrence on my hands a couple times a year. I have never been able to identify a cause or source of the condition. Just all of a sudden, I'll notice little sensitive red dots forming on my palms that are sensitive to touch. Then they eventually start peeling in a few days, along with the rest of my palms. This lasts usually a couple of weeks. The skin around the nail beds of my thumbs will also get dry. No balm or ointment or lotion will work.

I'm anxious to try the aloe and coconut oil solution. See if that helps. Thank you all for the information and sharing your stories!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks a lot all of you my dears.....
I am facing same as word to wrd as following sinse i was only in 6th class and now i cam to my 31 years of life. i had hear that my father had same too. Even my younger brother and sister also facing the same twise a year repeatedly.
For a number of years now I've experienced periodic peeling of my hands, roughly twice a year.  It usually seems to happen in late spring or autumn.  A number of times I've suffered through a peeling episode, only to visit someplace with a different climate and have the episode start all over again.  Other than this observation, I really have no evidence that it's climate or season-related, but there it is.

The episodes always follow the same pattern:  I'll notice that the skin on my palms and fingers (specifically, the skin with epidermal ridges) feels stiff and inflexible for a day or two, followed by a rather intense "fever" that is limited to my hands, similar to the hot skin associated with a sunburn.  I can grip a thermometer and send it as high as 40 degrees C. My hands get hot enough that other people can feel the heat they radiate, which is something of a family joke these days.

After a day or two of this, I begin to see small red splotches deep through the skin on my hands, as if they were under the skin rather than on the skin itself.  The spots are not painful, nor do they itch, though they present a very slight bump on the skin which is noticably more sensitive than the surrounding skin.  Sometimes they appear in clusters of twos and threes, but generally form single small red spots 1-3mm in diameter, spaced roughly every centimeter or so across all the skin with epidermal ridges.  The affected area is limited to my hands, and my feet are in no way affected.

Within a couple days, the skin over these locations forms an air pocket which peels painlessly.  This process continues for two weeks or more, until all the skin with epidermal ridges has peeled away, leaving smooth, extremely thin, tender pink skin with no texture, roughly equivalent to the skin you might find on your lips.  I have no discernable fingerprints during this period.  Over the course of the next month or two the new skin thickens, toughens, and the epidermal ridges again become evident, just in time for the process to repeat itself.  During and immediately after the peeling process I have to be very careful about handling rough objects as the new skin tears very easily, which has become a severe handicap at work during these episodes, since even holding a pencil can be painful.

I've had several doctors tell me in the past that it was possibly an allergy or chemical burn of some kind, but since the symptoms progress rapidy to the peeling stage from the initial symptoms (usually about a week), I've never been able to get to a doctor during the inital stages, and it's not exactly something you'd go to the emergency room for.  I cannot imagine what chemical I could have come into contact with for the last fifteen years and not draw a connection, so I've tended to rul the burn idea out.  If it were a seasonal allergy, then the source exists in North America, Europe, and both southwest and southeast Asia, since I've had multiple episodes in all these locations.  I therefore tend to find the allergy explanation somewhat wanting as well.

Generally what happens is that I'll call the doctor, I'll get an appointment a week away, and show up with peeling hands.  He'll nod his head, tell me he's not certain what it is, prescribe a tube of something white and strong-smelling, and I'll apply it as directed.  A month from then I'll be back for a follow-up, he'll nod and say it looks like its healing, and that will be it.  I'll be back with symptoms again in two or three months. The frustrating part is that I've stopped going to see the doctor over it because the symptoms are unchanging and it heals in the same amount of time regardless of whether I see a doctor, use his prescription, or otherwise. Lotions, moisturizers, hydrocortizones, antihistamines, and the like have no discernable effect on this.

I've reached a point where I'm sick of putting up with it and am considering going to a specialist.  I thought I'd give a public forum like this one a try and see if perhaps I could find some leads first before I did.

Does anyone have any experience with something like this?  I'm suffering through an episode as we speak, so even usggestions for mitigating it are welcome.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
Hi, I have exactly the same happening. It happens twice a year in sep/oct and the in mar/apr. I have ot found a solution yet and will try aloe vera and coconut oil now.
I have the same issue/symptoms.  I tried the Aloe and Coconut but had no effect. BUT I had this on left hand and feet my wife found a remedy for "toe nail fungus"  which was a 1 to 1 ratio of apple cider vinegar and water, (pure is best, not tap). soaked my feet 2 times per day for 3 weeks. fungus stopped and nails are growing more normally, but the best part was that the feet peeling has stopped> wahoo, I did not get the 3 dots nor did they peel!  I will try this on my hands and see of it helps.
Avatar universal
Thanks so much for posting this! I've had this happen 3 times on my hands and once on my feet I'm the past 7 years. It's painful, doesn't look great and even made me lose a finger nail last time I had it. Just like you, I haven't been able to get my hands in front of my doctor in time for him to see anything. I'm currently having an episode and although I've never had anything relevant come up in the past, I googled the symptoms and got this! Sorry I can't really contribute anything in the way of prevention or treatment; this whole thing is still a mystery to me.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It is called Exfoliative keratolysis, Im suffering since 2 decades it is still mystery and causes are unknown.

Exfoliative keratolysis is a common skin condition in which there is focal peeling of the palms and less often the soles. It is also known as ‘keratolysis exfoliativa’, dyshidrosis lamellosa sicca, and ‘focal palmar peeling’.

Clinical features
Exfoliative keratolysis is more common during the summer months in about 50% of affected individuals, and most often affects young adults. It may be more common in those with with sweaty palms, i.e. lcoalised hyperhidrosis.

The first sign is one or more superficial air-filled blisters on the fingers or palms. The blisters burst to leave expanding collarettes of scale and circular or oval, tender, peeled areas. These peeled areas lack a normal barrier function and may become red, dry and cracked. However, they are not generally itchy.

Sometimes on the ends of the fingers the split in the skin is deeper, in which case the skin feels hard and numb and takes longer to peel off.

What is the cause of exfoliative keratolysis?
The cause of exfoliative keratolysis is unknown. Microscopy reveals cleavage within the outside horny layer of skin, the stratum corneum. It is thought that for some reason the coneocytes separate from each other prematurely. No genetic abnormality has been detected to date.

The symptoms are aggravated by exposure to irritants including water, soap, detergents and solvents. Eventually normal skin forms, but frequently exfoliative keratolysis recurs within a few weeks.

Exfoliative keratolysis is not eczema, but some cases may lead to or be confused with pompholyx, an itchy form of eczema in which there are small fluid-filled blisters.

It can also be confused with psoriasis, in which there are scaly patches, localised epidermolysis bullosa, in which blistering occurs, or with tinea, but scrapings for fungal culture are negative.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Hi, I have exactly the same happening word-to-word! red dots, air filled blisters and then peeling. This is the first time I have seen some one write it and I am glad to see this. Do you know what is the solution?
Avatar universal
I have the same exact condition. Every spring and fall. This fall has been rough. The longest it's ever lasted. The only thing I don't get that you have are the red dots before the peeling.  My dermatologist  said nothing is wrong with us. Some people just shed skin.  Some once a year and some twice. Seasonal changes can trigger it. Just make sure to avoid hand sanitizers, cleaning products, and wash your hands less during the peeling and fever hands time.  I also think I discovered the solution in the midst of my misery this season. I cut a piece of my aloe plant and rubbed the aloe all over the palms of my hands. Then I took organic pure coconut oil (thanks to all of the people posting with coconut oil suggestions) and put it on top and rubbed it all in. Then your hand will feel a little sticky but try avoiding touching anything until its completely dry. It wont feel creepy once its  dry, I promise. Immediately  after that my hand appeared to be completely normal no matter how bad your hands got before doing it. I did this the day before I went to the dermatologist and he could barely see anything. I had to resort to showing him pictures from the day before, before I put on my concoction.  Use it daily until its completely gone. If you stop it will come back after a day or two and the peeling begins again. It's amazing how much it work. Try it next time you have it and make sure to use both. The magic only happens with both at the same time. Also for anyone who is being selective about the coconut oil, I tried cisco pure coconut oil that I found at the supermarket and it's the same exact thing as all the other ones out there.  Nature is always the best cure apparently.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
This really worked for me. Thank you!
Avatar universal
I have the exact same symptoms and occurrences as you. it is definitely not a chemical burn or an allergy. I am leaning more towards a genetic disorder or possibly palmar dyshidrosis. I have been dealing with this my entore life, since i was about 7 years old. Unfortunately, my 16 year old son has developed this and thats why the genetic link is very strong. The only commonality my son and I have os that we are both football players, and both wear gloves during the season. However, in my case, some years are worse that others, if I am lucky it wil only happen once a year, but sometimes up to 4 times a year. The symptoms were really bad in high school and calmes down in my 20s and 30s and not as severe. I have not found any sort of treatment, including steriods that work. All I do is use coconut oil and avoid contacting other people when my hands are peeling and rough as its embarassing.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
I think i have the same thing
Same exact symptoms. Worse in my 20s, 30s went a few years without it. Red dots, sometimes itchy. Almost whole palm of hands have to peel before it's over. Happens 2x a year when the seasons start to change. We are mutants apparently. No known cause that I know of. Weird and when I was younger embarrassing.
Avatar universal
just sayig   **NOT TIGER BALM*** not that any one wouldn't know the difference on sight but....precaution

                                               --peace
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, we have had friends and family members with something very similar.  Try a product called Bag Balm, which is safe for Humans as well as animals.  Put it on when you first start having the symptons.
It is sold at Drug stores for under $10.00
Best, Mary
Helpful - 0
563773 tn?1374246539
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
Various possibilities for peeling hands 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,dermatitis,eczema or fungal infections can also cause peeling.

During the day, hydrate and protect hands from sun damage with a protective and moisturizing cream. At night, repair them with creams formulated from glycolic acid—a must for improving skin texture and tone. For a more intensive nighttime treatment, apply cream and then cover hands with gloves or socks. I would also suggest you to avoid washing hands with soap repeatedly and use gloves while doing any household work.
Also apply a mild steroid cream like dermacort on the hands..

If the symptoms persist then consultation of a dermatologist will be the best.Eczema has to be ruled out.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I have the same normally happen june/july then again in September I have to apply cream and some greasy stuff to my hands and feet and where cotton gloves and foot socks the doctor seems to thing its seasonal dermititis and been suffering for that 7 years as soon as my skin especially near the thumb area I apply the cream as that the sign its coming back.
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