Flaky Skin on Hands: How to Get Rid of It?

Dry, flaky skin on hands can be very bothersome at times, especially if you are experiencing intense itching, irritation, and redness along with the flaking. If you are experiencing flaky hands, the first thing you would do is start searching the internet to find ways to get rid of them.

However, it is important to understand that while most of the time flaking skin on hands is caused by dryness, sometimes it can also be a result of certain underlying skin conditions. Read this blog to discover what might be causing your flaky skin and how to manage it effectively.

What Causes Dry Flaky Skin on Hands?

Your face and hands are the parts of the body that are most exposed to the environmental triggers, irritants, and allergens that can irritate the skin and damage it. This is why when you experience flaky or dry skin, you are more likely to experience it on the hands.

Here are a few of the most common reasons why you might be experiencing skin flaking on your hands.

Sun Damage

Sunburn or damage is one of the most common reasons for flaky skin. When your hands are overexposed to the harmful UV rays, you may start experiencing redness, dryness, irritation, and sometimes even a burning sensation on your skin.

You may not notice that your skin is flaking off immediately; however, after a few hours or days, you may notice that the damaged skin on your hands has started to flake off. This is because the skin is trying to repair itself, just like it does after an injury, and is shedding off the damaged layer.

Dehydration

You may have noticed that your skin starts to feel dry and rough when you are dehydrated. In severe cases, you may also experience dry, flaky skin on back of hands that may hurt. Dehydration is basically when your skin lacks the essential water in your body.

During those times, the body starts providing the remaining water to the essential organs such as the lungs and heart, and stops supplying it to the skin. This could contribute to the skin becoming excessively dry and rough.

Extreme Weather Conditions

Extreme heat and cold can be very dangerous for the skin. For example, during the winter season, the humidity in the air decreases, which can strip away natural oil from the skin and cause dry, flaky, cracked skin on the hands.

During extreme hot weather, your skin begins to experience excessive Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL).  This is when the essential water on the outermost layer of the skin starts evaporating, which causes the skin on your hands to become dry and flaky.

Overwashing

Even though washing your hands is a good habit, overwashing can strip away the natural oils from the skin, leaving it dry and flaky. This scenario is more common in people who have an occupation that requires frequent hand washing.

Harsh Chemicals

Most of us don’t consider it, but the harsh chemicals in skincare products, especially the soap, hand wash, hand sanitizers, and hand creams you are using, can strip away natural oils from the skin and cause dry, flaky, itchy skin on hands​.

In some people, it can also lead to an allergic reaction that can cause red rashes on the skin. Some of the most common chemicals that can irritate the skin on your hands are:

• Fragrances
• Parabens
• Sulfates
• Phthalates
• Artificial dyes
• Alcohol 

To prevent flaky skin on hands, try using skincare products that are free from these harsh chemicals, like Happy Cappy products. They are specially developed for sensitive skin and are safe to use on people of all ages.

Certain Medications

Sometimes the dry peeling skin on hands is caused by the use of certain medications. The flaking, dryness, and irritation that you may experience on your hands or other parts of the body are usually the side effects of using these medications. Some of the most common medications that can trigger skin flaking are:

• Diuretics
• Statins
• Antihistamines
• Retinoids
• Chemotherapy
• Antidepressants
• Opioids 

If you suspect that your hands are becoming dry and flaky due to a medication, then discontinue its use and consult a dermatologist. They may recommend an alternative.

Underlying Medical Conditions

Sometimes, flaking skin is caused by common environmental factors, while at other times, it can also be a symptom of an underlying skin condition that requires proper care and treatment. Some of these issues are:

• Eczema

Hand eczema or hand dermatitis is a common skin condition that can cause red, itchy, flaky skin on hands. According to the National Eczema Association, contact dermatitis and dyshidrotic eczema are two of the most common types of eczema that affect the hands. 

Hand eczema can not only cause flaky skin, but it can also cause other symptoms such as cracked skin, red rashes, intense itching, and in severe cases, painful peeling skin.

Usually, the triggers that cause hand eczema are the harsh chemicals in hand products. This is why, to prevent the condition from worsening, it is essential to avoid triggers and keep your hands moisturized with a hand moisturizer for eczema as much as possible.

• Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder. This condition is believed to be caused by genetics, which causes thick, white, flaky, scaly patches on the skin. In this condition, the immune system in your body mistakenly considers the healthy skin cells as dangerous to your body and starts attacking them.

As a reaction, the skin starts producing new skin cells at a much faster rate. These cells clump together and often take the form of patches and white, flaky skin on hands.

• Exfoliative Keratolysis

It is another skin condition that is more common among active, young adults. It can cause peeling skin on the palms and soles of the feet. The exact cause for this condition is not known, but it is believed to be triggered by factors such as age, excessive sweating, and a moist environment.

Keeping your hands moisturized using a hypoallergenic moisturizer and avoiding irritants such as detergents and products with harsh chemicals can help make the condition better.

• Infections

Different infections can cause flaky skin on your hands. The flaking is usually the response of your immune system when it is trying to protect your skin against infections. Some of the most common infections are:

1. Tinea manuum
2. Fungal infection
3. Scarlet fever
4. Impetigo

If you suspect that your flaky skin on hands is caused by an infection, then immediately consult a dermatologist. Some of these infections may be contagious and can spread to others through contact.

• Acral Peeling Skin Syndrome (APSS)

Acral peeling skin syndrome is a rare genetic skin condition that can cause the skin to peel off painlessly. Even though it can affect your legs and arms, it is more common on the hands and feet. 

The condition may first appear in early childhood and then become a persistent skin condition, recurring in the form of flare-ups. The condition usually becomes worse during summer or in a hot, humid climate.

• Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

Toxic Shock Syndrome is a rare, life-threatening condition caused by bacteria releasing toxins in the body. It can affect multiple systems of the body, including the skin, and cause various symptoms.

Flaky or peeling skin on the hands, especially on the palms, is one of its symptoms. The peeling usually starts 3 to 7 days after the first symptoms appear.

This infection is mostly caused by the misuse of tampons, skin injury, cuts, and burns. It can also lead to symptoms such as high fever, nausea, vomiting, and severe flu.

• Kawasaki Disease (KD)

Kawasaki Disease is an acute inflammatory condition that can cause red, flaky skin on the hands. There would be concurrent fever, red eyes, swollen lymph nodes, and swelling and peeling of the skin on hands and feet.

The exact cause for the condition is still not known; however, it usually affects children under the age of 5. To treat the condition, the child is hospitalized and the doctors usually prescribe the use of low-dose aspirin and the intravenous injection of antibodies (IVIG) into the bloodstream.

How to Get Rid of Flaky Skin on Hands?

Once you have figured out the root cause, it becomes easier to treat the condition itself. For some skin conditions, such as skin infections, Kawasaki disease, and toxic shock syndrome, consulting a doctor is necessary for a proper treatment plan.

While for other common factors such as dehydration, climate changes, and sun damage, you can easily manage your flaky skin on your hands at home with proper care and attention. Here are a few things you should always do to prevent dry, flaky hands from worsening.

• Always keep your hands clean using a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. If you have an eczema flare-up, then make sure to wash your hands with the help of an eczema shampoo and body wash. 
• Keep your skin moisturized using a hypoallergenic hand moisturizing cream. Don’t forget to moisturize your hands after washing them while the skin is still a little damp, because the skin is able to absorb more moisture at that time.
• Always use hand washes, sanitizers, and moisturizing hand creams that are labeled as hypoallergenic and free from any of the skin-irritating chemicals.
• Never use hot water to wash your hands; it can cause dryness and make the condition worse.
• While going out, apply some sunscreen on your hands, or you can also use a moisturizer with SPF to protect your hands from sun damage.
• If you have an occupation that requires dealing with harsh chemicals or excessive washing, then try wearing gloves to protect your hands.
• If you know the triggers or irritants that make your condition worse, then try avoiding them to prevent the condition from getting worse.

These small changes in your daily routine can make a huge difference for your hands and skin. So, make sure to incorporate them into your life and prevent your flaky hands from getting worse.

Best Moisturizing Hand Cream

You may have noticed that we are continuously asking you to keep your hands moisturized, but choosing the right moisturizer is often difficult. Even though most of the hand creams available in the market claim to be safe for use on sensitive skin, they often contain chemicals such as fragrances and artificial dyes that can irritate the skin and make your condition worse.

So, what is the best hand cream for moisturizing? It is the one that is free from any of these harsh chemicals, like Happy Cappy Moisturizing Cream. It is fragrance-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, dye-free, and phthalate-free.

Instead, it is infused with ingredients like licorice root extract, glycerin, snow white petrolatum, and provitamin B5 that help moisturize the skin and strengthen its protective barrier. And if you are searching for a skin-friendly hand eczema cream, then try Happy Cappy Eczema Moisturing Cream, which is specially formulated by an expert pediatrician, Dr. Eddie, to be safe for use on sensitive, eczema-prone skin.

It not only moisturizes the skin but also helps soothe the redness, itching, and irritation associated with eczema.

Conclusion

The most obvious reason why you have landed at this blog is that either you or any of your loved ones is experiencing flaky skin on the hands. Most of the time, the flakiness is a result of skin dryness caused by common factors such as sunburns, dehydration, climate changes, and overwashing.

It can also sometimes be a symptom of some other underlying medical condition, such as eczema, psoriasis, infection, Kawasaki disease, and Acral peeling skin syndrome. However, by taking proper care of your hands and keeping them moisturized with a moisturizing cream for dry skin, you can easily reduce the flaking and prevent the condition from getting worse.

If your flaky hands are a result of an eczema flare-up, then try Happy Cappy 2 Step Eczema Skincare Routine to soothe the eczema symptoms and keep your hands hydrated.

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