What causes peeling skin on the hands accompanied by itching and pain?
Nov 28, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
In general, peeling skin on the hands accompanied by itching and pain may be caused by dryness and lack of moisture, physical friction or irritation, tinea manuum (fungal infection), dyshidrotic eczema, contact dermatitis, or other reasons. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a正规 hospital. In daily life, keep hands well moisturized and minimize friction and irritation; wear gloves when doing household chores.
Generally, peeling skin on the hands accompanied by itching and pain may be caused by dryness and dehydration, physical friction, tinea manuum (fungal infection), dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx), contact dermatitis, or other factors. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a正规 hospital. Specific causes are analyzed as follows:
1. Dry and Dehydrated Skin: In dry climates or due to insufficient water intake, the stratum corneum of the hand skin loses moisture, leading to a damaged skin barrier and resulting in peeling, itching, and pain. After each hand wash, apply a hand cream containing glycerin, avoid frequent use of strongly alkaline soaps, and use a humidifier indoors to increase air moisture.
2. Physical Friction Irritation: Long-term contact with rough materials such as sandpaper or keyboards can repeatedly damage the skin on the hands, causing the stratum corneum to slough off and leading to peeling, itching, and pain. Wear cotton gloves during work to reduce direct friction, and soak hands in warm water every night followed by application of a nourishing hand cream.
3. Tinea Manuum (Hand Fungus): A fungal infection that invades the skin of the hands, damaging the stratum corneum and triggering inflammation, leading to peeling, blisters, itching, and pain—often affecting one hand only. Treatment may include miconazole nitrate cream, terbinafine hydrochloride tablets, or bifonazole solution, used under medical supervision.
4. Dyshidrotic Eczema (Pompholyx): Excessive sweating of the hands and feet or emotional stress can block sweat gland ducts, resulting in blisters, peeling, itching, and pain. Under medical guidance, aluminum acetate solution can be used for wet compresses; oral antihistamines such as loratadine tablets or prednisone tablets may be prescribed. Avoid scratching the blisters.
5. Contact Dermatitis: Exposure to allergens such as detergents or metal jewelry triggers an inflammatory skin reaction, manifesting as peeling, itching, pain, and redness. Topical hydrocortisone butyrate cream may be used as directed by a physician, along with oral ebastine tablets or chlorpheniramine maleate tablets. It is essential to avoid further exposure to the allergen.
In daily life, maintain hand moisture and minimize friction irritation; wear gloves when doing housework to avoid contact with irritants; maintain emotional stability to reduce excessive sweating of hands and feet; seek medical attention promptly if symptoms appear, and avoid self-medicating.
