Do you have peeling hands? If yes, then you probably know that it can cause discomfort and might even affect the quality of your life. What remedies can help heal your skin? Find out here.
What Causes Skin To Peel Off?
Before we talk about the home remedies for flaking skin, let’s first discuss the possible causes. The following factors might contribute to the development of peeling hands:
Washing Your Hands Too Much
While frequent hand washing helps reduce the spread of harmful microbes, it might also remove the skin’s protective oils. When the oil is gone, the skin can no longer hold moisture, which might cause flaking.
Also, the habit of washing your hands often worsen existing peeling. Therefore, wash your hands only when necessary, moisturize afterward, and avoid drying your skin with rough tissue or cloth.
Climate
Weather conditions that are too dry or too cold can also dry out the skin, causing it to peel or crack.
Sunburn
The harmful effects of UV rays can cause the skin to burn, turn red, and become painful and tender before peeling. Although most sunburns clear up within a week, it can increase the risk of developing skin cancer in some people.
Biting or Sucking Already Peeling Fingers
Too much thumb sucking can lead to sores and peeling skin on the fingertips. And it doesn’t just happen with kids. Some adults, when stressed, also bite or suck their fingers.
Chemicals
Many people work in jobs that expose them to hazardous chemicals. This can dry the hands, lead to irritation, and cause peeling.
Some people are also at high risk of peeling hands when exposed to chemicals in cleaning products. Even personal care or hygiene products with harsh chemicals can irritate the skin enough to trigger peeling hands.
Other Health Conditions
Besides environmental factors, you can also experience peeling hands due to a number of dermatological conditions. In these instances, you need to know the exact cause to determine the right treatment. If you have ruled out environmental reasons for your hand peeling, you need to see a doctor to check for possible pathological factors.
How To Treat Peeling Hands at Home
When you have peeling hands, you can consider the following remedies:
1. Use honey as a moisturizer
Honey has moisturizing properties, so you can apply this ingredient on the affected area and leave it on for about half an hour. This is one of the most effective ways to deal with peeling hands.
2. Soak your peeling hands with oats
Put oats in a large bowl with warm water, then wait for the oats to soften. Soak your hands in the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes. If you have severe flaking, soaking your hands in softened oats daily might help.
3. Rub cucumber slices on affected area
Take a peeled cucumber and cut it into thick slices. Then, rub the cucumber slices on the affected area for about 10 to 15 minutes. After, rinse your hands with warm water, dry them completely, and apply a good moisturizer. Cucumber might help because of its cooling and hydrating properties since it’s 96% water.
4. Use coconut oil
Coconut oil can be a good solution to several dermatological problems, including peeling hands. This is because it has excellent moisturizing properties.
You can apply coconut oil on your flaking palms a few times a day or apply it overnight before rinsing it in the morning.
5. Be gentle on your skin
When wiping or washing your hands, don’t rub your skin harshly as this will make the flaking worse. Instead, pat your skin dry with a towel or rub your hands gently.
6. Use a cool compress
Place a cool, wet compress on your skin for 20-30 minutes to soothe irritation. DO NOT use ice as applying ice directly to the skin as it can cause further irritation.
7. Drink plenty of water
As a general rule, drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to help treat peeling hands. It also helps with overall hydration.
Reminders
Some commercial moisturizers will help you treat peeling hands at home. However, before using any product (or home remedy) to treat a skin condition, you should seek medical advice first.
If the skin on your hands still does not heal despite home treatment, set an appointment with your doctor.
Also, if your peeling hands occur with signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or fever, consult a doctor right away. The same is true if you notice worsening of your skin condition.
Learn more about Skin Health here.
