There are many reasons that cause skin peeling. Sometimes skin peeling may be painful and sometimes it may not. Mostly, the skin peeling occurs on hands and feet but it can also occur on face too.
There are many ways or tips to prevent you from skin peeling. But I will tell you the top 5 practical ways to prevent skin from peeling. But before knowing the tips, you should know how and why skin peeling occurs?
What Is Skin Peeling?
“The damage to skin results in the loss of epidermis of skin is called skin peeling.”
How and why skin peeling occurs? (Causes)
Skin peeling may be caused by many reasons such as:
- Direct damage to skin: when you get a cut or a wound on skin your skin peels off during healing.
- Allergic reactions: Caused by chemicals on skin.
- Immune system disorders: When immune system mistakenly attacks skin, it causes skin to peel.
- Genetic diseases like peeling skin syndrome (PSSs).
- Dry skin.
- Coming in contact with hot liquid
- Sunburn or infection.
Skin peeling is also done during skin treatments like acne treatment. Skin peels its outermost layer to take out fresh layer of skin.
How skin peeling look like?
It is also very important to know how skin peeling look like?
When skin peeling happens, your skin looks like;
- Flaky or scaly.
- Peeled.
- Irritated skin.
- Itchy skin.
The outer layer of skin looks like the scales of fish when it gets peeled. Sometimes cracks also appear along with scales. The cracks and dull skin feels like wrinkles.
Effects of skin peeling:
Skin peeling may have both positive and negative side effects.
- Positive effect:
Skin peeling might be beneficial for skin and also a sign of disease of skin.
The positive effect of skin peeling is that it is a sign of healing of a damaged skin. When the outermost layer gets damaged or old, it peels and the new layer comes out.
- Negative effect:
On the other hand it might be a sign some skin disease. It may be caused by a genetic skin disease or skin infection. When you get sunburn, your body also peels at that time too. When your skin peels because of these conditions, it might be painful.
You will feel the burn and pain on your skin during this condition. That is the negative effect of skin peeling.
Tips to prevent skin from peeling:
There are many tips but I will describe the top 5 tips:
1 – Protect skin from dehydration:
Dehydration can cause the dryness in the skin which is the main cause of peeling of skin. When skin gets dry over a certain limit it peels off.
The lack of moisture inside the skin causes dryness of skin. The dehydration can be detected through the skin.
To prevent from dehydration;
- Drink plenty of water.
- You can use different oils like coconut oil and almond oil.
- Use Aloe Vera gel.
- Use rose water.
- Consume water rich foods.
2 – Don’t use products that cause dryness:
During skin peeling, you should not use the products which cause dryness. Try to use natural products which maintain moisture inside skin.
The product you use for dry skin may not have;
- Salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
- Fragrances.
- Preservations.
- Retinoids.
- Alcohols.
These products cause dryness in skin so you cannot use them during skin peeling.
You can use the products which make your skin nourished and moisturize like moisturizers etc. Aloe Vera is the best natural product to moisturize skin.
3 – Prevention from sunburn.
Sunburn is also the cause of peeling of skin. When you take sun bath for a long time, it burns your skin. The harmful rays of sun damage the epidermis of skin and it starts peeling off. Your skin gets red and itchy and you feel an extreme pain and stretch of the skin.
You should protect your skin from sunburn. If you get sunburn, you should take these steps:
- Cool your skin first.
- Take anti itching medicine.
- Use moisturizer.
- Take a pain killer.
- Treat your peeling skin gently.
This will help you when your skin peels because of sunburn.
4 – Stay away from chemicals:
Skin peeling is also caused when your skin come in contact in harmful liquids or chemicals. When a chemical comes in contact with your skin, it burn or damage your skin layer. Try not to use the beauty products which have harmful chemicals like toxins.
Toxins effects are;
- Premature aging.
- Wrinkles.
- Uneven color.
- Age spots.
Some chemical used for skin treatment while others that cause skin damage are called irritants.
These chemicals cause;
- Redness.
- Dryness.
- Cracks on skin.
Soaps, oils, etc, are the examples of irritants.
5 – Addition of moisture to air:
You should stay inside the environment having moisture in the air. This type of environment will protect your skin from drying. Moisture will stay on your skin by and will work as moisturizer. You can add moisture to air by these ways;
- By installing a humidifier at home.
- Bringing plants to your home.
- By boiling water.
- Bathing with door open.
- Cook food on the stove.
- Take advantages from vents.
These steps will add moisture to your environment.
Other Steps To Prevent From Skin Peeling.
Other steps to prevent skin from peeling are as follows:
- Limited Baths And Showers:
Take limited baths and showers. Make sure to use warm water for bathing.
- Covering Skin:
Cover up your skin with warm clothes when going out during winter. Don’t forget to wear gloves.
- Use ointment instead of lotion:
As ointment is are more effecting and soft than lotions, it’s better to use ointments.
- Use fragrance free products:
Don’t use the product having fragrances. These products will irritate your skin.
- Don’t wear rough clothes:
Wear silk clothes or those clothes which are easy to wear. Don’t use rough clothes.
- Keep yourself warm:
Sit in front of an open flame to keep your body warm. Stay away from cold environment during peeling of skin.
When to go to doctor for treatment of skin peeling?
Unfortunately, if you get your skin peeling because of any negative reason, you should treat your skin. You should go to a doctor to treat your skin. These are the signs when you should see a doctor.
- Allergic reactions:
When you see any of allergic reaction on your skin, you should go to doctor for treatment. Don’t wait for so long before getting it worse.
- When see red patches on skin:
When you see red and inflamed patches on your skin, you should go for a treatment. They are the sign of a disease known as peeling skin syndrome. In this disease, the big red and inflamed patches form on your skin and your skin starts peeling off.
- When see swollen or red skin:
When you see swollen or red skin, go for the treatment as soon as possible. This is the symptom of a disease called rosacea. It is a chronic skin disease.
It can break blood vessels under your skin.
- When see white or scaly skin:
It is the sign of a chronic skin disease called psoriasis. In this disease, white scaly patches produced on skin. Later on they become red and peel. The patches may be painful and cause sore.
Important Note For Treatment:
When you see any of these symptoms, don’t try any of home remedies. It is very dangerous for you. Immediately go to a dermatologist and start prescribed treatment. Use ointments or medicines with prescription. Learn to use creams right.
CONCLUSION:
Peeling of skin has two sides. The one describe the healing of skin and the other describes sign or symptom of a specific disease. But the main thing is prevention and protection. You should do preventive measures to protect your skin and not use any unnecessary products. The main goal is to take care of your skin.
FAQ’s
Is vaseline good for peeling skin?
Yes Vaseline is good for peeling skin. It fixes the skin cracks and help it in healing of skin.
How do you get rid of peeling skin naturally?
By applying natural products like aloe vera gel or coconut oil, you can get rid or peeling skin.
Is peeling harmful to skin?
Peeling of skin may be harmful. It can lead to bacterial or fungal infection or a sign of a disease.
Is peeling skin a vitamin deficiency?
It may be caused by the excess of vitamins or may deficiency of vitamins.