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What Causes Peeling Of Skin On The Hands And Feet?

Posted on Fri, 14 Aug 2015

Question: My hands and feet are peeling, it gets worse when I get in the pool. What could be causing this? I have dandruff as well.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Kindly upload an Image

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.

I have taken note fo your query and I understand your concern regarding peeling of skin from hands and feet.

I request to kindly upload an Image either in "Reports Section"

Or

You may mail me an image at YYYY@YYYY with the subject line as Attn:Dr.Kakkar.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

These are the foot images the hands are fine now

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I would suggest a KOH Scraping for fungal elements

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

I have reviewed the Images. I can see that there are patches of skin peeling/ scaling on sole.

This could be a fungal infection. It is a possibility. Another possibility is keratolysis exfoliativa.

I suggest that you get a KOH scraping done from a lab. They take a small amout of scale from the area of peeling skin and visualize under the microscope for fungal elements.
If KOH comes out positive for fungal elements I would suggest treatment with topical and Oral antifungals.

In keratolysis exfoliativa, there is focal peeling of the palms and soles.
Exfoliative keratolysis is more common during summers. It is more commonly seen in those who sweat a lot more from palms and soles.
Cause of exfoliative keratolysis is unknown. Keratolysis exfoliativa is thought to arise from keratinocytes/ corneocytes separating from each other prematurely, manifesting as peeling.
Treatment of keratolysis exfoliativa is with emolients/ moisturizer.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (6 hours later)

I also have dandruff that started a couple of months ago... After I came down with a weird viral illness. Went to the doctor got bloodwork CBC everything looked great and was normal. My hands had MINOR peeling but it has completely gone away. Might I add that the peeling on my feet JUST started after a trip to XXXXXXX last week where we were in and out of the jacuzzi and swimming pool quite often. So im thinking maybe i have an underlying condition that got worse due to the chlorine? I didn't have any foot issues prior to XXXXXXX and going in the jacuzzi.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Transient peeling can be part of recovery phase of viral illness

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

For dandruff I would suggest that you try a ketoconazole based shampoo e.g Nizoral Shampo, which is available OTC.
Lather it well into the scalp and allow it to act for 5-7 minutes before rinsing it off. Use it every alternate days.
Another possibility is that peeling from hands and feet can also be seen as part of recovery phase of viral illness that you recently had. That can be a reasonable explanation for transient peeling hands and feet. Swimming etc would have made it more obvious.
I suggest that you use a good moisturizer twice daily over the affected area i.e feet. You may also use a moderately potent topical steroid specifically for the peeling patches, over and above the moisturizer for faster resolution.

Regards

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar