Peeling hands can be caused by dry weather, cleaning chemicals or immune system disorders such as psoriasis and eczema. Therefore, you need to understand the cause of your hand skin condition to be able to handle it effectively. This will help improve the condition of peeling hands and maintain smooth, healthy skin.
1. 8+ common reasons why your hands peel
Peeling skin on hands causes many disadvantages and difficulties in daily life. Moreover, this problem also greatly affects your health. So what is the cause of peeling skin on hands today?
1.1. Washing hands too much
Washing your hands is a great way to stay clean, but doing so will strip away the natural oils on your skin. This can cause your skin to peel if you wash your hands too often. Using harsh soaps, combined with water that is too hot, and not moisturizing after washing your hands can weaken your skin and cause problems. Additionally, frequent use of hand sanitizers can dry out your skin and cause it to peel. This is because these products contain alcohol in their formulas, which can strip the skin of moisture if used too often.
Solution for peeling hand skin care:
- Wash your hands for about 20 seconds with warm water and mild soap.
- Dry hands with a clean towel, but do not pat dry completely.
- While skin is still damp, apply moisturizer and massage evenly over entire hands.
- If you frequently use hand sanitizer, apply a moisturizer or ointment immediately after using hand sanitizer.
1.2. Due to fungal infection of the skin on the hands
Some common skin infections, such as ringworm, are also considered one of the causes of peeling hands . Ringworm usually starts on the palms of the hands and can spread to the back of the hands and fingertips. This causes rash-like sores and peeling skin. This is a fungal infection that needs to be treated promptly.
Solution to improve peeling skin on hands:
- Dermatologists recommend using antifungal topical medications to treat the infection. This will improve the infection and reduce peeling of the skin on your hands. Follow your doctor’s instructions and use the medication regularly for best results. This will keep your hands healthy and prevent peeling from recurring.
1.3. Vitamin B3 deficiency or vitamin A toxicity
A lack or overuse of a vitamin in your daily diet can lead to peeling fingertips . For example, a lack of vitamin B3 can cause dermatitis and peeling. Conversely, too much vitamin A can irritate the skin on your hands. If it is more severe, it can cause cracked nails.
Solution to this problem:
- Balance your daily vitamin intake. Make sure you get enough vitamin B3 to maintain healthy skin, and avoid consuming too much vitamin A. By adjusting your diet, you can keep your hands soft and smooth and help prevent peeling effectively.
1.4. Due to contact with chemicals
Chemicals used daily in life such as kitchen cleaners, laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, etc. often contain a large amount of strong detergents. Therefore, frequent contact with these chemicals can damage the structure of skin cells. This can easily lead to peeling of the skin on the hands.
Solution to improve peeling skin on hands :
- Wear gloves when working with cleaning chemicals and choose products with gentle ingredients. Also, moisturize your hands regularly to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. This will help prevent peeling and keep your hands soft and smooth.
1.5. Weather effects
Climate can be considered one of the major causes of hand skin. During the winter months, the humidity in the air decreases, causing the skin on the palms to become dry, cracked and flaky. Conversely, in hot weather, sweaty hands can cause irritation and peeling of the skin.
Solution to fix peeling skin on hands :
- Apply moisturizer after bathing.
- Avoid using soaps that contain fragrances or alcohol.
- Apply hand lotion after every hand washing.
- Apply hand oil before going to bed.
1.6. Due to sunburn
Another common cause of peeling hands is sunburn. When you spend too much time in the sun, your skin is vulnerable to UV rays, which can lead to sunburn. This can happen to any area of skin that is exposed to the sun, including your hands. As your sunburn heals, your body sheds the damaged skin, causing it to peel off and create new skin.
To improve sunburned skin, you can try the following:
- Take a cool shower to relieve the burning sensation of sunburn.
- Apply moisturizer, especially after bathing, to soothe and relieve dry skin.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.
- Cover sunburned areas carefully during recovery and to prevent sun damage.
1.7. Due to hand dermatitis
Hand dermatitis (or hand eczema) is a common cause of flaky skin. According to dermatologists, this condition can be hereditary or caused by exposure to irritants such as tree sap, nickel, and latex gloves. Allergies to artificial fragrances in cosmetics and soaps can also contribute to hand dermatitis. When dermatitis occurs, the skin on the hands will appear red, swollen, and have blisters, which will cause the skin to peel.
Solution to fix peeling skin on hands :
- Avoid contact with irritants.
- Use a mild soap suitable for sensitive skin.
- Apply hand lotion after washing your hands.
- Use medications to treat dermatitis, including topical steroid creams.
2. 7 common ways to treat peeling skin on hands
In addition to the causes and remedies for peeling hands presented above. L’Occitane will introduce to you some other natural methods that you can apply to your hands. Below are all safe and benign methods for the skin.
2.1. Using honey
Honey is a natural humectant, creating a protective layer on the surface that prevents water from escaping from the skin cells. To treat peeling hands, you can apply honey to the affected areas, leave it for about 30 minutes, then rinse it off gently. Repeat this process three times a day to help soften your hands and reduce peeling effectively. Using honey is not only a natural method but also very safe and effective for your skin.
2.2. Use oats
Oatmeal is a great natural ingredient to moisturize and care for flaky hands. To use oatmeal, add oatmeal to a large bowl of warm water and wait for the oatmeal to soften. Then, soak your hands in this mixture for 10 to 15 minutes. The oatmeal will provide moisture and nourish the skin of your hands very well.
2.3. Using betel leaves
Betel leaves are a great solution for peeling skin on hands with pus, blisters and yellow discharge. To use, wash the betel leaves, crush them and squeeze out the juice. Apply this juice to the affected skin area three times a day, after about 60 minutes, rinse with clean water. Doing this regularly for 3-4 weeks will help minimize peeling and tiny blisters. Combining it with applying moisturizer every night will help your hands become smoother and much healthier.
2.4. Skin care with cucumber
Cucumbers are also very effective for skin care. Cut a cucumber into thick slices and rub them gently on the peeling skin of your hands for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, wash your hands with warm water and massage with a moisturizer or vitamin E oil. This method helps soothe and provide necessary moisture to the skin, keeping your hands soft and healthy.
2.5. Bathing properly
To protect your skin from dryness and flaking, avoid bathing in water that is too hot because high temperatures will reduce the natural protective oils of the skin, making the skin drier. Warm water is the best choice, helping to maintain the skin’s natural moisture. Take a bath for just enough time, not too long, and remember to be gentle when scrubbing, avoid rubbing hard to avoid damaging the skin. Proper skin care when bathing will help your skin stay soft and healthy.
2.6. Use L’Occitane hand cream
Shea Butter Hand Cream with 20% Shea Butter from Burkina Faso, handcrafted by local women using traditional methods, preserving the nutrients. This product instantly soothes and moisturizes hands, protects against dryness and strengthens the skin’s natural moisture barrier. The rich, creamy texture absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling, leaving it soft and comfortable.
- Featured Ingredients: Shea Butter, Glycerin
- Reference price : 960,000 VND/ 150ML
2.7. Eat a balanced diet
To maintain overall health, it is important to supplement vitamins through daily diet. Vitamin B3 can be provided from foods such as pork, chicken, beef, anchovies, herring, salmon, peanuts, potatoes, and brown rice. Vitamin B7 is abundant in carrots, tomatoes, cereals, almonds, sea fish, poultry, eggs, milk, mushrooms, and broccoli.
Don’t forget to add foods rich in vitamin C to your diet, such as cabbage, green vegetables, beans, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, oranges, tangerines, pineapple, mango, guava, and strawberries, to boost your immune system. Vitamin A is also important and is found in egg yolks, cod liver oil, and yellow, red, or dark green vegetables and fruits. Getting enough of these vitamins will help you maintain good health and a healthy body.