Peeling skin

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Photo of peeling skin Peeling skin

Peeling skin is damage to and loss of the upper layer of your skin (epidermis). Peeling skin may occur because of direct damage to the skin, such as sunburn or infection. However, peeling skin may also be a sign of an immune system disorder or other disease.

Rash, itching, dryness and other irritating skin problems may accompany peeling skin.

Because a number of conditions — varying significantly in severity — can cause peeling skin, it's important to get a prompt diagnosis.

Causes
References
  1. Hand and foot dermatitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec10/ch114/ch114e.html. Accessed Jan. 25, 2010.
  2. Habif T. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010.
  3. Atopic dermatitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec10/ch114/ch114b.html. Accessed Jan. 25, 2010.
  4. Exfoliative dermatitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec10/ch114/ch114d.html. Accessed Jan. 25, 2010.
  5. Tips to remember: Allergic skin conditions. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/allergicskinconditions.stm. Accessed Feb. 11, 2010.
  6. General information about mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/mycosisfungoides. Accessed Feb. 11, 2010.
  7. Karakayli G, et al. Exfoliative dermatitis. American Family Physician. 1999;59:625.
  8. Information from your family doctor: What can I do for dry, itchy skin? American Family Physician. 2003;68:1145.
  9. Dermatophytoses. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec10/ch120/ch120c.html. Accessed Jan. 28, 2010.
  10. Harnden A, et al. Kawasaki disease. British Medical Journal. 2009;338:b1514.
  11. Streptococcal and enterococcal infections. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec14/ch171/ch171d.html. Accessed Jan. 28, 2010.
  12. Schwartz RA. Seborrheic dermatitis: An overview. American Family Physician. 2006;74:125.
  13. Painter D, et al. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. Emergency Nurse. 2007;14:20.
  14. Parrillo SJ. Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports. 2007;7:243.
  15. Sunburn. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec10/ch115/ch115d.html. Accessed Jan. 25, 2010.
MY01167 June 9, 2012

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