What should you know about dry peeling skin on hands?

Hands lose protective oils through frequent washing, sanitiser, cleaning chemicals, cold air, and repeated wetting followed by drying. Irritant contact dermatitis may cause burning, redness, cracks, and peeling; an allergy can cause itch after contact with a particular substance. Psoriasis may produce thicker, persistent scale or cracks, while Athlete's Foot can spread to the hands in some patterns. Peeling on both hands may reflect shared exposure, but the distribution and involvement of the nails or feet can change the assessment.

Wash with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser, then dry carefully between the fingers. Apply a thick cream or ointment immediately after washing and whenever the skin feels tight. Wear protective gloves for cleaning, with cotton liners if heat or sweating causes irritation; change damp gloves promptly. Avoid peeling loose skin, harsh scrubs, fragranced products, and direct contact with detergents. Cover painful cracks with a clean dressing while they heal, and keep moisturiser available at sinks.

Arrange a clinical review when peeling persists, repeatedly returns, limits work, or affects the palms and nails. Seek prompt care for increasing warmth, swelling, pus, severe pain, fever, or redness travelling up the hand or arm. A clinician can assess for dermatitis, psoriasis, infection, or an allergy and may recommend treatment matched to the affected skin.

Which exposures should I change first? Does the pattern fit irritation, allergy, psoriasis, or infection? What glove material and moisturiser are appropriate? How should I care for open cracks?