Skin Peeling
Peeling skin is an indication that your skin is recovering from trauma of some kind. Skin peeling is a result of sunburns, allergies, and skin conditions. Peeling skin can also be a side effect of cancer, acne, and aging treatments. Infection might result from picking at peeling skin. A dermatologist can identify the underlying issue and recommend the best course of action.
What Skin That is Peeling Look Like?
Your epidermis is the area of peeling skin that you can see. The thinnest and outermost layer of your skin is this one. Even though it is thin, your epidermis is an essential component of your body’s defense against bacteria and pathogens. Additionally, it prod skin cells to replace the countless ones that die off each day.
Peeling can be a symptom of almost any skin disorder that causes inflammation, according to Natalie Carlton, MD, a dermatologist. It is common for skin to feel like sand paper for thirty days after experiencing a reaction or rash since it takes the skin’s protective layer a full month to heal.
The next time you feel flaky, it’s easy to panic and pile on the moisturizer, but try to figure out what’s making you peel first because that will determine the best course of action for therapy. A simple change in lifestyle can sometimes be the best course of action, but other times you may need a doctor’s advice because you have a more serious medical or dermatological disease.
Causes
The following are a few medical illnesses or drug problems that might cause skin peeling:
Eczema
This illness affects over 31 million people in the United States. A frequent symptom is skin peeling. Eczema cannot be cured, but it can be controlled.
Edema
This swelling develops as a result of extra fluid becoming trapped in particular body parts, such as your hands, arms, and feet. It could be brought on by prescription drugs, a pregnancy, a cardiac condition, renal illness, or liver disease. Your skin will peel when the edema’s swelling subsides.
Radiation
Radiation therapy for conditions like cancer occasionally results in the radiation-exposed area becoming black, dry, flaky, and itchy. Peeling may occur after coming into contact with an allergen on another person’s skin. “This is frequently brought on by irritants like perfumes” – Dr. Kelli A. Hutchens
Yellow fever
You contract this little infection from another individual. You may develop rashes on your elbow, groin, and underarm from scarlet fever. Your skin will start to flake as this rash fades. This peeling may continue for a few weeks.
Scalded skin condition caused by staphylococci (SSS). SSS typically affects youngsters under the age of five. Large blisters, rashes, and significant amounts of skin peeling are frequently the results. Syndrome of toxic shock. You can develop toxic shock syndrome, an uncommon but dangerous disorder, if specific germs enter your body.
What to Avoid
Even though it may be alluring, Dr. Curcio advises against trying to exfoliate a peeling sunburn in an effort to get rid of the dead skin. Avoid vigorous exfoliation and don’t pull at peeling skin, she advises. “Instead, let it naturally shed from your body. Peeling often stops seven days after a mild to moderate burn has healed.
Finally, it’s crucial to use good sun protection techniques while a peeling burn is mending. Your skin is more vulnerable to more UV harm after getting a sunburn, according to Dr. Curcio. “When outdoors, wear protective clothing that protects your skin.
You can prevent more sun damage while your skin recovers by seeking shade and avoiding peak solar hours (10 AM to 4 PM), in addition to covering oneself with clothing. A mild to moderate burn should recover in about seven days if you take good care of it and stay out of the sun for additional time.
However, avoiding sunburn in the first place is, you guessed it, the greatest approach to stay out of all this trouble. The largest preventable risk factor for sunburn and all skin malignancies, according to Dr. Curcio, is exposure to UV rays. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
How To Stop Your skin From Peeling
You can experiment with changing your skincare regimen to rehydrate and heal your skin to help it stop peeling, depending on the underlying condition that’s causing it. However, if it’s brought on by one of the health problems listed above, you should first treat those issues medically before addressing the symptom of peeling skin.
Here are some actions you may take to aid in your skin’s healing after it has begun to peel.
After a Bath, Pat the Skin Dry
When drying off after a shower or bath, you might unconsciously rub vigorously. However, this could result in unnecessary abrasion and irritation, which can harm your skin and cause it to peel. When you don’t use lotion right away after getting dry after bathing, it might also excessively dry out the skin that has been scrubbed.
Remain Hydrated
Your body, which is primarily made up of water, provides the moisture for your skin, not out of thin air. It’s vital for your skin and general health to stay hydrated by drinking adequate water each day.
Put moisturizer On
Applying a good, non-comedogenic moisturizer to dry skin is the most universal treatment. A premium moisturizer like our Soothe Dermal Repair Balm can help those with sensitive skin even more.
Use a Small Exfoliant Now and Again
As long as the skin is not also tender and irritated, such as after a sunburn, a light exfoliation can assist speed up the process when your skin is flaking and peeling. Nevertheless, be careful to exfoliate a peeling region as gently as you can, and avoid doing so every day. Usually, all you require to swiftly regain your smooth texture is a weekly exfoliation.
Use Humidifier
Simply put, some parts of the country and some residences are drier than others, which can naturally lead to skin dehydration and peeling. If you think your skin is peeling because of the dry air, provide moisture by using a humidifier in your living quarters.
Sun Protection For Skin
Sun exposure is important for preventing numerous skin disorders, including peeling skin, in addition to premature skin aging. Always using sunscreen when going outside is the greatest practice for people who want to have smooth, attractive skin, as regular unprotected exposure to damaging UV rays destroys your skin cells whether you notice it right away or not.