How to Heal Peeling Skin

Peeling skin, also known as desquamation, occurs when the outer layer of your skin is shed as damage to your skin heals. It can be caused by external events, such as a burn, or internal causes, such as a reaction to medication or an autoimmune disease.

Some over-the-counter (OTC) and home remedies can help peeling skin, such as a gentle moisturizer or exfoliant or sleeping with a humidifier in your room. In some cases, peeling skin could also be a sign of an underlying health condition that requires treatment from a healthcare provider.

This article discusses how to get rid of peeling skin and what might be causing it. It also goes over the signs that you may have a condition that needs to be treated by a healthcare provider.

Causes of Skin Peeling

When the skin peels, it is usually a part of the healing process after it has been damaged. There are many different causes of this damage, including:

• Sunburns: This is the most common type of burn, and it's caused by exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tanning beds. 
• Skin irritation: Skin irritation can occur when the skin is chafed, or rubbed against other skin, clothing, or shoes for prolonged periods of time. 
• Chemical burns: Household cleaners and some beauty products can lead to chemical burns that can peel.
• Thermal burns: Thermal burns occur when the skin comes into direct contact with a hot liquid, a hot surface, or fire.
• Acne treatments: Some types of acne treatments, like those containing retinoids, can cause the skin to peel.
• Chemical peels: Chemical peels have retinol that helps treat scarring or wrinkles by inducing the upper layer of skin to peel off.
• Eczema: Otherwise known as atopic dermatitis, eczema can cause the skin to become red and peel. Another type of eczema called dyshidrotic eczema can cause blisters and scales on different parts of the body.
• Edema: Edema is swelling of the skin that can arise if a person has a blood clot or is suffering from heart failure. As the skin swelling decreases, the top layer of skin will peel.
• Radiation and chemotherapy: These cancer treatments can lead to skin peeling.
• Contact dermatitis: In some cases, being exposed to certain allergens or irritants, such as perfume or prolonged water exposure, can cause the skin to peel. Exposure to cold and dry air can also cause peeling.
• Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome: This infectious disease is caused by various strains of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and can cause the skin to peel.
• Toxic shock syndrome: Toxic shock syndrome is a life-threatening bacterial infection that occurs when specific pathogens get into the body and release toxins.
• Peeling skin syndrome: This condition is considered a genetic disorder and causes the skin to peel all over the body or only on the hands and feet.
• Viral infections: Different viral infections like measles and mono can cause a rash.

If your skin is peeling and you are unsure of the cause, see a healthcare provider in order to help rule out serious health conditions.

The health condition that is causing the skin to peel should be treated first before trying remedies that may do harm. For example, there are no available treatments for peeling skin syndrome and using home remedies may make the peeling even worse.

Home Remedies for Peeling Skin

Getting rid of raw or peeling skin depends on what is causing it. For example, if your skin is peeling after you get a sunburn, the best thing you can do is to leave it alone. If the injury is superficial and not serious, there are a few things you can do to help the skin heal.  

Don't try to pull the skin off yourself. Instead, let it fall off when it's ready. In the meantime, it's important to keep peeling skin out of the sun, since the layer underneath can be very sensitive.

Pat Skin Dry After Bathing

After you shower or bathe, pat your skin dry gently as opposed to rubbing it. Harsh rubbing with a towel can make peeling skin worse. It can also dry the skin further, causing it to become even more flaky.

You may also find it helpful to shower every other day instead of every day, and keep your showers short. This can help keep your skin from overdrying while it is healing.

Apply Moisturizer

As soon as you exit the bath or shower, the water on your skin begins to evaporate and your skin dries. Apply moisturizer right after bathing when the skin is still damp. This will help lock in the moisture and prevent your skin from drying out. Since dry skin can cause a damaged area to peel more, it’s important to stay moisturized.

Use a Soothing Cream

If your skin is raw and peeling, especially while recovering from a sunburn, try using a gentle, fragrance-free cream containing aloe. Oat-based products can also help soothe peeling skin. Products that contain cortisone may help reduce inflammation.

Use a Gentle Exfoliant

In some cases, a gentle exfoliant can help remove the dead skin cells that are flaking off. However, this should not be done to sunburned skin since it can make the burn worse and prolong the healing period.

Try a Humidifier

A humidifier can be a helpful home remedy for peeling skin. Overnight use of a humidifier can help keep your skin from drying out. A humidifier works by adding moisture back into the air, which can help relieve dryness of the skin.

Avoid Products That Dry Your Skin

Some products, especially soap, can dry your skin. While you are healing, it's important to avoid these products and anything that might be irritating to the skin, such as scented products, retinoids, or products that contain glycolic acid.

Summary

Peeling skin is a sign that your skin is healing after it's been damaged. The damage can be a result of external or internal factors. Peeling skin caused by external factors like sunburn will typically heal on its own without interventions, but peeling skin caused by an underlying condition needs to be looked at and treated by a doctor.