Keratolysis exfoliativa
Keratolysis exfoliativa, also called lamellar dyshidrosis or recurrent focal palmar peeling, is a skin condition that can affect the fingertips, palms, or the soles of the feet. It can be harmless or painful and is often mistaken for eczema or psoriasis.
Symptoms include dry skin and shallow air-filled blisters that peel off easily, leaving red, tender patches. When the outer skin layer is lost, the skin becomes drier and more likely to crack.
The condition usually shows up in warm weather and is linked to sweating and rubbing from shoes, as well as exposure to detergents and solvents. Some saltwater fishermen have reported similar symptoms, but it’s not clear whether this is from the salt water or bacteria.
Peeling is typically limited to a small area, and normal skin grows back to replace the peeled skin, so treatment is not always needed. To help, avoid friction, detergents, and solvents. Some creams, especially those with silicone or lactic acid, can be helpful. In severe cases, photochemotherapy may be used.
Most people recover on their own without lasting damage, though cracking or even bleeding can occur in rare, severe cases.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 18:05 (CET).