Study: Peeling Skin Syndrome

• Peeling skin syndrome has been the subject of a number of research studies.
• Peeling skin syndrome is rare, and this disease causes the skin to peel from the body continuously.
• Studies involving peeling skin syndrome can involve patients of any age, from infants to the elderly.

Peeling skin syndrome is a rare and unusual medical condition where the skin of the patient peels off, and it affects many layers of the skin. Although rare, this condition has been the subject of medical research studies in an effort to understand and better treat this condition. One study in India involved a female child that was five years of age, with peeling skin syndrome. In this case study, the palms, soles, and face were not affected, which is unusual, and the problem would worsen during the warmer months. The peeling skin was a little itchy for the patient, but there was no pain displayed. Emollients were used to try and moisturize the skin extensively, and this helped with the itch, but it did not resolve the skin peeling. Doctors rubbed areas of skin on the patient that were not peeling, and the separation of the top layers of skin became apparent.

One research study that was published in volume 46 of the 2007 International Journal of Dermatology involves Peeling Skin Syndrome. The study is affiliated with the Ayza Skin & Research Center, in Lalamusa, Pakistan, SUNY Downstate, in Brooklyn, NY, and the King Edward Medical College and Mayo Hospital, in Lahore, Pakistan. This study follows a six month old male infant, and is quite unusual in two respects. The peeling skin on the infant was limited to the facial area, and two close blood relatives are afflicted with same unusual and rare condition. Emollients and moisturizers did not help in this case, and it is the first case ever in medical literature where the peeling skin is limited to the facial area.

Peeling skin syndrome can go by many names. These can include familial continual skin peeling, keratolysis exfoliativa, and also congenital deciduous skin. There are two different types of this disorder, type one that involves all of the skin including the face, palms, and soles, and type two which is associated with many other medical problems as well. The first known case of type one peeling skin syndrome was observed in the year 1921 by a doctor named Fox. Type two of this disease was unknown until the year 1924, when Dr. Wile first observed and reported it. Treatment for both types can include petroleum jelly, salicylic acid gel, and other emollients, but this will only improve the appearance of the disease and will not help cure or prevent it. Some researchers believe that drugs which are created from vitamin A could be a key to preventing and eliminating the peeling skin, and these can include tretinoin and etretinate.

One research and case study involving peeling skin syndrome was done at Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, in Mumbai, India, in the Department of Dermatology. The subject of this case study was a male child who was only twenty five days old, and was diagnosed with peeling skin syndrome. The patient first displayed signs of the syndrome at four days old, no inflammation or swelling was present during the exam, and the skin peeling started on the extremities and then moved to the trunk of the infant. Emollients were used and help clear up some of the symptoms, but they did not treat the underlying condition. In this case study there was no family history of any peeling skin or other dermatology related medical issues or diseases. In this case the patient did not develop peeling skin on the face, palms of the hands, or the soles of the feet, which is unusual. Peeling skin syndrome is a rare condition that may be genetic at times, but may also occur when there is no familial link to the disease at all. There are a number of studies involving this disease, to help doctors and individuals understand it better.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.