5 Yr. Old's Skin Is Peeling (Not from a Sunburn)

Updated on June 16, 2011
A.C. asks from Sterling Heights, MI
5 answers

My daughter's skin is peeling everywhere. Even the skin inside her belly button is peeling. It looks like a cross between sunburn peel and dandruff. It's peeling, but in small bits, almost flaky or powdery. It was so bad after the post-bath toweling-off tonight that after putting on her lotion she was covered in globs of gooey dead skin (sorry if that's too gross).

She does have terrible eczema in the winter, but it has all but gone away since summer arrived. I did stop using lotion as much as I used to, but she didn't seem to need it. Her eczema has never looked like this. It is usually bumpy, red, scabby, and very itchy. This is not any of the above. The dermatologist (over the phone) said it sounds like dry skin, but I have had terrible dry skin for years and it never peeled or looked like dandruff.

She has an appointment on Monday, but until then, it's just killing me wondering what is wrong with her and I am paranoid the dermatologist will just automatically assume it is dry skin. The only change we have made recently is a topical antioxidant cream we put on two fingers for warts. That is the one place she is NOT peeling, and the dermatologist swore that could not be causing it.

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D.F.

answers from Seattle on

Has she been sick lately - possibly exposed to someone with strep? Sometimes untreated strep results in peeling, flaking skin.

H.G.

answers from Dallas on

My sons skin peeled off in layers around that age and we thought his exema was gone. Nope! It was the exema. Betcha that's what it is!

T.C.

answers from Austin on

Does she take any other medicines? Does the ointment list any possible side effects or cause sensitivity to sunlight?
My husband had a reaction once to an antibiotic which made the skin on his hands peel. Looked kind of like when dried glue peels off your fingers. He has to remember to mention it now whenever doctors ask if he's allergic to anything.

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K.B.

answers from Amarillo on

my skin does that but mine is only on my hands and the dr told me it was eczema

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K.W.

answers from Seattle on

I'll second the strep suggestion. The biggest symptom of scarlet fever is peeling skin. It can occur without fever. Has she had a sore throat in the last six months or so?

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