PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

Peeling skin isn’t anyone’s favorite affliction, but fortunately, you can usually treat it yourself at home. Whether you’re dealing with a nasty sunburn or a reaction to medication, using the right products and treating your skin gently will help it heal in no time. In this article, we’ll tell you how to heal your peeling skin fast so you can get back to life as usual.

1

Apply moisturizing cream.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Look for a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizing cream or ointment, and apply it multiple times per day. The more you can moisturize your skin , the faster it will heal. [1]
  2. Advertisement
2

Use aloe vera gel if you have a sunburn.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you know your peeling skin is from a sunburn, grab some 100% aloe vera gel and apply a liberal amount to your skin once a day. Keep applying every day to keep your skin hydrated and healing. [2]
    • Aloe vera is also cooling, so it can help alleviate any irritation you’re feeling from your sunburn.
    • Avoid using thick ointments, like petroleum jelly, if you have a sunburn. Thick ointments don’t let your skin breathe, and they can make burns hurt worse. [3]
3

Let your skin peel on its own.

PDF download Download Article
  1. As tempting as it might be to peel off the skin and speed up the process, peeling your skin can rip or tear your healthy skin, leaving room for infection and scarring. Let your skin peel by itself to avoid any adverse effects.
    • If your skin gets more swollen or starts leaking pus, that’s a sign of infection. Talk to your doctor right away if you have any concerns.
  2. Advertisement
4

Take a pain reliever.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you’re treating a sunburn , a pain reliever will help reduce itchiness and discomfort. Try a medicine like ibuprofen or aspirin that you can pick up over-the-counter at any drug store. [4]
    • Pain relievers also help reduce any redness around your peeling skin.
    • Never give aspirin to a child unless specifically told to by a doctor. Aspirin can cause Reye’s syndrome in children, which can be fatal. [5]
5

Cool your skin with a cold compress.

PDF download Download Article
  1. When your skin is peeling from a sunburn, you might feel slightly warm or uncomfortable. If that’s the case, run a washcloth under cool water and then wring it out. Hold the washcloth against your skin for 20 minutes or so, or until the washcloth warms up. [6]
  2. Advertisement
6

Drink water throughout the day.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Hydrate your body from the inside out by drinking lots of water. Peeling skin is naturally very dry, which means your body needs more hydration. Aim to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day as your skin heals to help your body along. [7]
    • Don’t love the taste of plain water? Try a flavored seltzer or sparkling water.
    • Or, grab a sports drink to get electrolytes while staying hydrated.
7

Use a humidifier.

PDF download Download Article
  1. The air around you can be very drying. If you live in a dry area, try putting a humidifier in your home wherever you spend the most time. [8]
  2. Advertisement
8

Shower every other day, not every day.

PDF download Download Article
  1. When you do take a shower, go for lukewarm water instead of hot water. Hot water strips your skin of oils and moisture, whereas warm water won’t. [9]
    • When you get out of the shower, pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it. Rubbing your skin with a towel can irritate your peeling skin even more.
    • After you dry off, moisturize your skin. You can lock in the water from your shower for deep hydration.
9

Protect your skin from the sun.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you’re heading outside, cover up your peeling skin with clothing or a hat. Always put on sunscreen for extra protection from UV rays, especially on your face. [10]
    • Aim to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours to prevent further peeling and sunburn.
    • When your skin is peeling from a sunburn, it’s extra important to protect yourself from the sun. UV rays can make a sunburn much worse, especially if your skin hasn’t fully healed yet.
  2. Advertisement
10

Exfoliate gently if you don’t have a sunburn.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If your peeling skin is not from a sunburn (meaning it’s from eczema or another underlying health condition), rub an exfoliant on it gently while you’re in the shower. Use an exfoliant once a week to help your skin heal faster. [11]
    • Using an exfoliant on a sunburn can make the burn worse and actually extend the healing process.
11

Treat any underlying medical conditions.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you aren’t sure why your skin is peeling or you’ve tried home remedies and they aren’t working, make an appointment with your doctor. They can look at your skin to help determine what’s going on and what the right treatment method is for you. Other reasons for peeling skin besides a sunburn can include: [12]
    • Allergic reactions
    • Athlete’s foot
    • Infections
    • Immune system disorders
    • Cancer or cancer treatment
    • Genetic disease
  2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I still need help. I have tried it and my skin on my toe is still rapidly shedding and won't disappear
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    There are many reasons why your skin may be shedding on your toe. Peeling skin may occur because of direct damage to the skin, such as from sunburn or infection. It may also be a sign of an immune system disorder or other disease. If you have tried the remedies above, you should talk to your doctor about what else may be causing the shedding.
  • Question
    How should I treat my feet after the burned skin has peeled off? I am not able to walk and it's becoming stiff.
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    This sounds like you had quite the burn. If this is sun related, try cool compresses of water with equal parts milk or Burow's solution. If you haven't already, keep the skin moist with aloe and/or a topical steroid--this may help your tight skin. With a sunburn, maximum discomfort usually occurs after 14-20 hours, and symptoms last between 24 and 72 hours; so, if your symptoms are progressing (especially with not being able to walk), you should contact your healthcare provider to help you out.
Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • If you aren’t sure why your skin is peeling, talk to your doctor. You may have an underlying health condition that needs to be addressed.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Peeling skin usually isn’t serious, but if you experience a fever, chills, swelling, pain, difficulty breathing, or nausea, see your doctor right away. These could be signs that you have an infection. [13]
      • If you have a sunburn, do not use oil to treat peeling skin. Oil can cause more damage to your skin and make your burn worse. [14]
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you have peeling skin and you want to get rid of it, soak in warm water for about 20 minutes a day. If you like, you can add 2 cups of baking soda to your bathwater to reduce redness and irritation. Moisturize your skin after your bath with aloe vera gel, which will help speed healing. Don’t peel or pick at the skin, as this can increase your risk of getting a skin infection. You should also try to get extra hydration by drinking 10 cups of water each day instead of the normal 8. Keep reading for tips from our medical reviewer about home remedies that may help your peeling skin, like using sliced cucumber!

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 159,084 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement