Desquamation

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Desquamation
Synonyms	Skin peeling
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Peeling of the outer layer of the skin
Complications	Infection, scarring
Onset	Varies depending on cause
Duration	Varies
Types	N/A
Causes	Sunburn, exfoliative dermatitis, toxic shock syndrome, Kawasaki disease, scarlet fever, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, chemical burns, allergic reactions
Risks	Sun exposure, chemical exposure, infections
Diagnosis	Clinical evaluation, skin biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Psoriasis, eczema, ichthyosis
Prevention	Avoidance of known irritants, use of sunscreen
Treatment	Moisturizers, topical steroids, antibiotics if infected
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment, but depends on underlying cause
Frequency	Common, varies with underlying condition
Deaths	N/A

Desquamation, commonly referred to as skin peeling, is the natural process of shedding or peeling off of the outer layer of the epidermis (skin) or mucosal tissue. This process is a regular part of the skin's life cycle and is essential for the maintenance of healthy skin.

Skin peeling or Desquamation

Overview of Desquamation

Desquamation is a natural and continuous process where the outermost layer of skin cells (keratinocytes) is shed and replaced by new cells. This process is vital for:

• Removing damaged or dead skin cells.
• Maintaining skin's protective barrier.
• Allowing new, healthy skin cells to surface.

Causes and Types

Desquamation occurs for various reasons:

• Normal Skin Renewal: Regular shedding of skin cells as part of the skin renewal process.
• Skin Conditions: Conditions like psoriasis, eczema, or fungal infections can cause increased or abnormal desquamation.
• Sunburn: Exposure to the sun can cause sunburn, leading to peeling skin as it heals.

Clinical Significance

While typically a normal and healthy process, excessive or abnormal desquamation can be a sign of underlying skin conditions. It is important in the diagnosis and management of various dermatological disorders.

Skin Care and Management

Proper skin care is important to support the natural process of desquamation. This includes:

• Regular moisturizing to help maintain skin hydration.
• Gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin cells.
• Protection from excessive sun exposure.

See Also

• Dermatology
• Skin Care
• Epidermis

External Links

• American Academy of Dermatology: Skin Care Basics
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Healthy Skin

References

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