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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Skin Peeling In Fingers, Palm, Elbow And Knees Of A Child?

My 4 .2yr son fingers, palm, elbow , knees and even toes of foot have started peeling suddenly from last one week..and just before that his full body was covered with prickly heat boil which was itching badly.. why is it happening and whats the solution for this?
Mon, 3 Oct 2016
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello Dear. Some of the most common causes of peeling of skin and itching are

1. Allergies
2. Infections, including some types of staph and fungal infections
3. Certain acne treatments, such as those containing retinol or benzoyl peroxide
4. Chemical peels or use of facial creams containing retinol to reduce aging
5. Harsh soaps and detergents that can cause drying of the skin
6. Sunburn
7. Vitamin deficiencies or toxicities

Rare causes

1. Immune system disorders
2. Genetic disease etc

I will suggest you to first try any of the below mentioned home remedies for your child which might give you good results

1. Olive Oil

Olive oil has skin-nourishing fatty acids that work as an excellent moisturizer for dry skin. The oil coats the skin and locks in moisture. Plus, the vitamin E in olive oil helps the body fight free radicals that are often responsible for skin aging.

Slightly warm some extra-virgin olive oil in a microwave. Liberally rub the warm olive oil on the affected area and gently massage it so the oil penetrates deep inside the skin. Do this three times daily until your condition improves.
Mix two tablespoons of salt with enough olive oil to create a thick paste. Use this paste as a body scrub to exfoliate dead skin cells. Do this twice a week until your skin heals completely.

2. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has soothing and moisturizing properties that help get rid of peeling skin. It also reduces inflammation, irritation and itching.

a. Mix two tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel and a little vitamin E oil.
b. Apply the mixture on the affected skin.
c. Allow it to dry on its own, and then rinse it off with warm water.
d. Repeat two or three times daily for at least one week.

3. Oatmeal Bath

Oatmeal is very helpful in reducing the itching and irritation associated with peeling skin. Also, its soothing properties help the skin retain its natural moisture.

a. Stir one cup of oatmeal into a bath tub filled with warm water.
b. Soak in this soothing bath water for 30 minutes.
c. Rinse your body with clean water, and then pat dry with a soft towel.
d. Apply a gentle moisturizer on your body.
e. Follow this remedy daily before going to bed until you are satisfied with the result.

4. Milk
Milk is very beneficial for dealing with peeling skin. It works as a natural skin moisturizer, the protein in milk has a soothing effect and the lactic acid will reduce irritation as well as itching.

Soak a washcloth in ice-cold whole milk and wring out the excess milk. Put the washcloth on the affected area for 10 minutes. Then wash the skin with clean water. Repeat the process two or three times daily until your skin is healthy again.
Mix two tablespoons of whole milk and one tablespoon of honey. Apply this mixture on the affected skin and massage gently. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash it off with warm water. Do this twice daily for about one week.

5. Lemon and Sugar Scrub

Being a strong astringent, lemon has the ability to dissolve dead skin cells and help reduce peeling.

Also, its healing and soothing properties are good for your skin. When combined with sugar, it works as a great natural scrub for your skin.

Mix together one-half cup of sugar, juice from half a lemon, and one tablespoon each of honey and olive oil.
Apply this mixture on your skin and rub in circular motions for a few minutes.
Rinse it off with cold water.
Repeat this remedy once or twice a week until you get rid of your peeling skin.

6. Cucumber

Cucumber is a natural astringent and also contains plenty of water that helps keep the skin hydrated. Plus, its cooling effect helps alleviate irritation and itching. The vitamin C in cucumber will also reduce sunburn and facilitate skin repair.

Grate one cucumber and apply the paste on the affected skin. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water. Do this twice daily for one or two weeks to maintain adequate skin moisture.
Mix one peeled cucumber and two tablespoons of aloe vera gel in a blender to make a smooth paste. Apply this paste on the peeling skin. Leave it on for 10 minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water. Do this once daily until the problem is resolved

Diet for skin peeling


There is a direct link between your diet and the health of your skin. A healthy balanced diet translates into skin that is smooth, supple and nourished. In case peeling skin is affecting you due to sunburn or any other reason, there are several changes you can make to your daily diet to help speed up the recovery process. These include:

1. Ensure that your diet consists of a healthy mix of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. A diet that is poor in nutritional value could lead to rashes and make your skin more susceptible to other disorders.
One of the causes of peeling skin may be vitamin or mineral deficiency.

2. Increase your intake of foods rich in vitamins A, B, and C as well as those items high in iron and iodine. For example, butter, fish, and eggs are great sources of vitamin A. Whole grains, cheese, and milk are chock full of vitamin B and citrus fruits and certain vegetables are rich in vitamin C. Iron-rich foods include nuts, lentils, cereals and meat. You can also take these in form of capsules or supplements but only do so under the supervision of your doctor as an excess of any vitamin or mineral could have adverse effects as well.

3. Drink at least two liters of water a day as well as fresh fruit and vegetable juices and other low-calorie drinks. This keeps the skin moisturized from within. Fruit juices also help build immunity and prevent allergic reactions.
Cucumber is an important addition to any diet for healthy skin. Eat raw cucumber or add it to a salad. You could also apply slices of raw cucumber to the affected areas of peeling skin for fast relief from pain.

4. Limit your intake for fiber-rich foods as these encourage the body to eliminate waste. Too much elimination could dehydrate the body and cause peeling skin.

Suggestion for Peeling Skin
Some other suggestions for peeling skin include:

1. Avoid cutting any skin that is flaking and peeling
2. Keep your skin moisturized at all times especially during cold weather.
3. Soaking in a warm bath with oatmeal added to it is an excellent way to soothe sunburn and peeling skin
4. Keep hydrated. Drink a minimum of 8 to 10 glasses of water a day and replenish on lost fluids when out in the sun and perspiring.
5. Always use a sunscreen when exposed to the sun and stay out of the sun during the peak hours of 11 to 2am.
6. Stop using soaps and shampoos that are harsh. Gentle baby or herbal soaps should be used instead.
7. Stop picking at peeling skin or scratching excessively. This can cause irreparable damage and scarring to the skin.
8. Try to not take baths that are too warm or hot as this can strip the skin of natural emollients.
9. Keep your bedroom cool and take a painkiller if the inflammation of sunburn is causing too much pain

Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you.
All the best
With warm regards
Dr Sanjay Kini
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What Causes Skin Peeling In Fingers, Palm, Elbow And Knees Of A Child?

Hello Dear. Some of the most common causes of peeling of skin and itching are 1. Allergies 2. Infections, including some types of staph and fungal infections 3. Certain acne treatments, such as those containing retinol or benzoyl peroxide 4. Chemical peels or use of facial creams containing retinol to reduce aging 5. Harsh soaps and detergents that can cause drying of the skin 6. Sunburn 7. Vitamin deficiencies or toxicities Rare causes 1. Immune system disorders 2. Genetic disease etc I will suggest you to first try any of the below mentioned home remedies for your child which might give you good results 1. Olive Oil Olive oil has skin-nourishing fatty acids that work as an excellent moisturizer for dry skin. The oil coats the skin and locks in moisture. Plus, the vitamin E in olive oil helps the body fight free radicals that are often responsible for skin aging. Slightly warm some extra-virgin olive oil in a microwave. Liberally rub the warm olive oil on the affected area and gently massage it so the oil penetrates deep inside the skin. Do this three times daily until your condition improves. Mix two tablespoons of salt with enough olive oil to create a thick paste. Use this paste as a body scrub to exfoliate dead skin cells. Do this twice a week until your skin heals completely. 2. Aloe Vera Aloe vera has soothing and moisturizing properties that help get rid of peeling skin. It also reduces inflammation, irritation and itching. a. Mix two tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel and a little vitamin E oil. b. Apply the mixture on the affected skin. c. Allow it to dry on its own, and then rinse it off with warm water. d. Repeat two or three times daily for at least one week. 3. Oatmeal Bath Oatmeal is very helpful in reducing the itching and irritation associated with peeling skin. Also, its soothing properties help the skin retain its natural moisture. a. Stir one cup of oatmeal into a bath tub filled with warm water. b. Soak in this soothing bath water for 30 minutes. c. Rinse your body with clean water, and then pat dry with a soft towel. d. Apply a gentle moisturizer on your body. e. Follow this remedy daily before going to bed until you are satisfied with the result. 4. Milk Milk is very beneficial for dealing with peeling skin. It works as a natural skin moisturizer, the protein in milk has a soothing effect and the lactic acid will reduce irritation as well as itching. Soak a washcloth in ice-cold whole milk and wring out the excess milk. Put the washcloth on the affected area for 10 minutes. Then wash the skin with clean water. Repeat the process two or three times daily until your skin is healthy again. Mix two tablespoons of whole milk and one tablespoon of honey. Apply this mixture on the affected skin and massage gently. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash it off with warm water. Do this twice daily for about one week. 5. Lemon and Sugar Scrub Being a strong astringent, lemon has the ability to dissolve dead skin cells and help reduce peeling. Also, its healing and soothing properties are good for your skin. When combined with sugar, it works as a great natural scrub for your skin. Mix together one-half cup of sugar, juice from half a lemon, and one tablespoon each of honey and olive oil. Apply this mixture on your skin and rub in circular motions for a few minutes. Rinse it off with cold water. Repeat this remedy once or twice a week until you get rid of your peeling skin. 6. Cucumber Cucumber is a natural astringent and also contains plenty of water that helps keep the skin hydrated. Plus, its cooling effect helps alleviate irritation and itching. The vitamin C in cucumber will also reduce sunburn and facilitate skin repair. Grate one cucumber and apply the paste on the affected skin. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water. Do this twice daily for one or two weeks to maintain adequate skin moisture. Mix one peeled cucumber and two tablespoons of aloe vera gel in a blender to make a smooth paste. Apply this paste on the peeling skin. Leave it on for 10 minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water. Do this once daily until the problem is resolved Diet for skin peeling There is a direct link between your diet and the health of your skin. A healthy balanced diet translates into skin that is smooth, supple and nourished. In case peeling skin is affecting you due to sunburn or any other reason, there are several changes you can make to your daily diet to help speed up the recovery process. These include: 1. Ensure that your diet consists of a healthy mix of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. A diet that is poor in nutritional value could lead to rashes and make your skin more susceptible to other disorders. One of the causes of peeling skin may be vitamin or mineral deficiency. 2. Increase your intake of foods rich in vitamins A, B, and C as well as those items high in iron and iodine. For example, butter, fish, and eggs are great sources of vitamin A. Whole grains, cheese, and milk are chock full of vitamin B and citrus fruits and certain vegetables are rich in vitamin C. Iron-rich foods include nuts, lentils, cereals and meat. You can also take these in form of capsules or supplements but only do so under the supervision of your doctor as an excess of any vitamin or mineral could have adverse effects as well. 3. Drink at least two liters of water a day as well as fresh fruit and vegetable juices and other low-calorie drinks. This keeps the skin moisturized from within. Fruit juices also help build immunity and prevent allergic reactions. Cucumber is an important addition to any diet for healthy skin. Eat raw cucumber or add it to a salad. You could also apply slices of raw cucumber to the affected areas of peeling skin for fast relief from pain. 4. Limit your intake for fiber-rich foods as these encourage the body to eliminate waste. Too much elimination could dehydrate the body and cause peeling skin. Suggestion for Peeling Skin Some other suggestions for peeling skin include: 1. Avoid cutting any skin that is flaking and peeling 2. Keep your skin moisturized at all times especially during cold weather. 3. Soaking in a warm bath with oatmeal added to it is an excellent way to soothe sunburn and peeling skin 4. Keep hydrated. Drink a minimum of 8 to 10 glasses of water a day and replenish on lost fluids when out in the sun and perspiring. 5. Always use a sunscreen when exposed to the sun and stay out of the sun during the peak hours of 11 to 2am. 6. Stop using soaps and shampoos that are harsh. Gentle baby or herbal soaps should be used instead. 7. Stop picking at peeling skin or scratching excessively. This can cause irreparable damage and scarring to the skin. 8. Try to not take baths that are too warm or hot as this can strip the skin of natural emollients. 9. Keep your bedroom cool and take a painkiller if the inflammation of sunburn is causing too much pain Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you. All the best With warm regards Dr Sanjay Kini