Skin Peeling?

The thread about eczema made me think about this (although, to be honest, I've been thinking about this a lot lately ...).

The skin around my fingernails is peeling. Badly. It started a couple of days ago and shows no signs of stopping. The weird thing is, my skin isn't actually dry, and applying lotion -- even really good-quality lotion -- hasn't helped (it hasn't made it worse, either, which is good!). It's not particularly painful (although the new skin underneath the peeled skin is a bit tender and pink), but it looks really, really bad. It isn't getting hard or changing colour; it's just peeling away. And I don't think it's actually eczema, because it isn't itchy or irritated, and I can't think of any new products I've come into contact with lately that might cause an allergic reaction (besides which, my allergic reactions have never involved my skin before).

I don't know if it's worth going to see a doctor about this, because otherwise I'm perfectly healthy (and I'd have to miss work to see a doctor and I don't get paid sick days or vacation days, so I can't really afford it unless it's something serious). It's just really ugly and it's making me self-conscious -- it's not like I had the prettiest hands to begin with, but sheesh!

Any thoughts? Has this happened to you before? What caused it? How did you get rid of it?

When is the last time you had a manicure? did you let them cut your cuticles? Please go and see a dermatologist hon. You might have an infection in the skin there- and sometimes those sorts of infections can cause bad consequences (nails comming off/etc) so to be on the safe side, be proactive and go get it checked out just to be on the safe side.

Well, I've never actually had a manicure before. Or a pedicure. Alas. To be honest, though, it doesn't really look like an infection; it looks kind of like the skin is dry, but it's not. Or like I've had a kind of chemical burn (but I'm fairly sure I'd remember sticking my hands in a vat of acid ...).

I think I'd have to get a referral from my doctor to see a dermatologist, in which case this condition's likely to be gone long before I'm able to make an appointment (my doctor is very busy and has very strange hours ... like, she doesn't work Tuesdays or Thursdays, only works afternoons, that sort of thing -- I think she's on-call at the hospital the rest of the time). Hmmm ...

Originally Posted by Mirinae

Well, I've never actually had a manicure before.

Or a pedicure. Alas. To be honest, though, it doesn't really look like an infection; it looks kind of like the skin is dry, but it's not. Or like I've had a kind of chemical burn (but I'm fairly sure I'd remember sticking my hands in a vat of acid ...).

I think I'd have to get a referral from my doctor to see a dermatologist, in which case this condition's likely to be gone long before I'm able to make an appointment (my doctor is very busy and has very strange hours ... like, she doesn't work Tuesdays or Thursdays, only works afternoons, that sort of thing -- I think she's on-call at the hospital the rest of the time). Hmmm ...

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not sure what kind of insurance you have (i have blue cross blue shield) but there should be a master list of all the doctors your allowed to see in your area. i didn't have to have a referal for my dermatologist (but that's not to say you wouldn't need one). eithor way though, whatever you need to do for your health- do it hopefully the skin issue will resolve itself- but don't risk it in the case that it doesn't. it wouldn't hurt to have a doctor look at it...plus he might be able to give you some free samples /or a presciption to help with the peeling

My toes and fingers are peeling!!! Not under the nails, but like my thumb and first finger. And applying lotion, doesnt help! I wonder what is causing that....

err, mine do the same, i have no idea why
is almost like i am a snake and getting rid of the old skin

hi guys,

have you vigorously washed your hands with an exfoliater? like some one else mentioned getting a manicure can really help too - clear up the dead skin and start fresh. and about the infection - it hardly ever looks like an 'infection' on your nails. so if it doesn't clean itself up really soon, just get yourself to a doctor or dermatologist to get an ointment to put on it.....i can't remember what i had but it was some gross oily stuff that really really worked well. i let my skin go around my nails and my nails ended up growing all funny.....

Originally Posted by theimp98

err, mine do the same, i have no idea why
is almost like i am a snake and getting rid of the old skin

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Exactly!!! Thats what it reminds me of!!