Causes And Treatment Of Peeling Skin On The Fingertips

 The skin on the fingertips may peel or crack in some cases, annoyingly. Peeling of the skin of the fingertips is not as uncommon as cases of peeling skin on the hands, feet or lips. While skin peeling is not usually a cause for serious concern, it can be associated with several medical conditions, so a prompt diagnosis is important. It can also accompany other skin problems such as peeling skin on the fingertips, rash, itching or dryness. Information on the common cause of peeling skin on the fingertips and when to see a doctor is given below:



Causes of Skin Peeling on Fingertips

Skin peeling on the fingertips can be caused by environmental factors or underlying conditions. These resources are as follows:

environment

Environmental causes of skin peeling are more external than internal problems. This category may include the weather and thumb sucking in children. We can list some of the external causes as follows:
1. Washing hands frequently: Washing  hands frequently with soap can cause the fingertips to peel and crack. Dry skin is a common condition and can cause the skin to peel and crack. Dry skin can be caused by frequent washing with soap. Frequent hand washing is important to reduce the spread of harmful bacteria, but soapUsing it also causes damage to the protective oils of the skin. When these oils are lost, the skin can no longer hold moisture, causing dry skin or soap dermatitis. People who experience peeling skin on their fingertips due to frequent hand washing are advised to wash their hands only when necessary, then moisten them and avoid drying the skin with hard towels.

2. Climate:  Very dry weather conditions can dry out the skin, causing it to peel or crack. In these dry winter months, peeling skin can be seen on the fingertips, especially if gloves are not used when spending time outside.
3. Sunburn:  The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage the skin. The skin may become red, warm, sore, and tender before peeling or flaking. While most sunburns are mild and heal within a week, they can also increase a person's risk of developing skin cancer. A person with sunburn should stay out of the sun and use lotions such as an alcohol-free moisturizer, such as aloe vera, to keep their skin hydrated while it heals.
4. Thumb sucking:  Thumb or thumb sucking is relatively common in children, butcan cause painful sores and peeling on the fingertips. Although most children grow out of this habit, it may require encouragement and monitoring at first. Similar to nail biting, some adults may also suck or chew fingers when stressed or out of habit.
5. Chemicals:  Many workers have jobs that can expose their skin to harmful chemicals. This often includes jobs in agriculture , construction and manufacturing. Many cleaning products, soaps, and solvents also have chemicals that can dry or irritate the skin. Anyone who is exposed to chemicals on a regular basis should make sure to wear protective clothing, wash their hands regularly and moisturize them.

Basic Terms

A number of underlying medical conditions can cause the skin on the fingertips to peel. Some of these medical conditions can be listed as follows:
1. Hand eczema:  Hand eczema is a common condition affecting approximately 10 percent of the population. It is also known as hand dermatitis. Hand eczema or hand dermatitis can cause peeling skin on the fingertips. Eczema on the hands can be caused by genetics or by coming into contact with an allergen or irritant. People working in certain industries are more likely to be affected. Some of these industries are as follows:
• Cleaning
• Food service
• Healthcare
• Hairdressing
• Mechanics

2. Exfoliative keratolysis: Exfoliating keratolysis  is a common skin condition that causes peeling. It's also more likely to happen in the summer and often affects young adults. Superficial air-filled blisters may appear on the fingertips and then burst, leaving areas of peeling. These areas may later become red, dry, and cracked, but are not usually itchy. While the exact cause is unknown, exfoliative keratolysis may be worsened by exposure to irritants such as soap, detergents, and solvents. A person can benefit from using mild, chemical-free soaps and avoid some cleaning products.
3. Psoriasis: Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, inflamed patches of skin. It is more common on the outside of the fingers, elbows, knees, scalp and can occur anywhere on the body. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells and is not contagious. A person with psoriasis may experience psoriasis flare-ups as the condition worsens. Scars can be triggered by many external factors such as injuries, diet, humidity and stress. There is no treatment to relieve psoriasis symptoms, which includes special creams or ointments applied to the skin, topical corticosteroids, and phototherapy.
4. Allergic contact dermatitis: Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when a person touches something they are allergic to. For example, if someone has a nickel allergy, their skin may become irritated, cracked, or peeling when they touch it. Also, some poisonous plants such as poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac have the same effect.
5. Kawasaki disease:  Kawasaki disease is a rare condition that mostly affects children under the age of 5. The most obvious symptom is a high fever lasting more than 5 days, it can also cause peeling of the skin on the fingertips. Kawasaki disease must be treated in hospital and can have serious consequences, so prompt diagnosis is vital. Heart complications occur in about 5 percent of cases, and 1 percent of cases are fatal.

When to Go to the Doctor?

Most cases of peeling skin on the fingertips are mild, easily treated at home with a moisturizer and avoiding irritants. However, some conditions are caused by underlying medical conditions that need to be diagnosed by a doctor. In the event that a person experiences this skin condition, some information should be reported to the doctor, this information is as follows:

Signs of Infection

• Peeling of the skin on the fingertip that lasts for more than 2 weeks
• Continued peeling of skin that has not healed from conservative treatments
• Symptoms that worsen over time
A person may have other allergies that they are not aware of, but a doctor will usually be able to diagnose them with a patch test.

Prevention

There are some simple tips and lifestyle changes that a person can follow to prevent peeling of the skin or cracking of the fingertips. Some of these simple tips and lifestyle changes are as follows:
• Using warm water instead of hot water
• Wearing gloves when washing dishes or using cleaning products
• Wearing gloves when outside in cold weather
• Using moisturizer after fingertips come into contact with water For
dry skin, eczema and psoriasis There are many products that people with hand conditions can purchase, but it is recommended that a healthcare professional be consulted on first purchase to ensure the product is suitable.

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