Symptoms and Causes of Peeling Skin

To understand the reasons behind peeling skin one needs to understand the structure of the skin. The skin consists of three basic layers: the outer layer or epidermis, the middle layer or dermis and the inner layer referred to as hypodermis. Each of these layers provides a particular function and is in a continuous state of change. Every 28 days the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin, is completely replaced once. The 28 day change, in the outer cover of the skin, is influenced by various factors such as hydration, friction, sun exposure and various other environmental issues.

Peeling skin is therefore a temporary problem and is known to heal in a few days as the new skin surfaces. Though there are few exceptions such as: in case of infections or medications that cause the skin to peel or a hereditary disorder known as Peeling Skin Syndrome, all of which may require medical consultation to cure peeling skin. Some of the known causes leading to this skin disorder are: excessive perspiration, viral infections, or excessive sun exposure resulting in sunburn. Sunburn is one of the most common causes known that lead to peeling skin. As sunburn heats the top layers of the skin it begins to peel naturally. Therefore, peeling skin is rarely ever considered as a fatal or harmful disorder. One can regain natural skin in a couple of days or a quick visit to the general physician will ensure faster recovery.

Symptoms for Peeling Skin
Some known skin disorders that cause peeling skin symptoms
Peeling skin is a symptom in itself. Certain skin disorders also cause the skin to peel.

Here are some known skin disorders that lead to symptoms of peeling skin:

-Erythroderma, may cause thickening and flaking of the skin.
-Exfoliative dermatitis causes the skin to flake.
-Hand eczema, lead to rashes and itches on the hands due to increasing use of harsh soaps and detergents.
-Eczema causes chronic skin rash which progresses to skin inflammation and may lead to skin peeling
-Psoriasis surfaces on the skin by scaling and inflammation of the skin causing it to peel
-Ichthyosis is a rare disease caused mainly due to dryness, the resulting roughness leads to scaly fish-like skin
-Kawasaki disease, a disorder usually found among in infants and young children causes rash and swelling of the hands.
-Scarlet fever sometimes causes rashes over the upper body which spreads through the entire body.
-Vitamin A overdose shows symptoms of skin peeling.

Causes for Peeling Skin
Probable causes other than skin disorders that lead to peeling skin
Various skin disorders or medical conditions may lead to peeling skin as a symptom.
Here is a compilation of the most probable causes other than skin disorders that lead to peeling skin:

-Heavy perspiration due to tight gloves or boots
-Certain blisters contains fluid between the two layers of skin. When the blister breaks it leaves the skin open to be peeled.
-Rashes may cause skin peeling
-Dry skin and extreme cold weather can make the skin peel.
-Sunburn is a commonly known reason for skin peeling -Allergy to specific chemicals or irritation from chemicals can cause skin peeling.
-TEN (Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis) or blisters which cover the whole body, is a rare disease that causes the skin to peel.
-The Peeling Skin Syndrome or Skin Peeling Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes continuous skin peeling may also be a probable cause.