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Living with Acral peeling skin syndrome

A skin condition in which the top layer of skin peels without pain, mostly on the hands and feet.

Understanding Acral peeling skin syndrome

Acral peeling skin syndrome, also called peeling skin syndrome 2, is a skin disorder with painless peeling of the top layer of skin.

The peeling is most apparent on the hands and feet, and sometimes the arms and legs. It usually starts soon after birth but can begin later. Heat, humidity, moisture, and friction make it worse. The skin may be red and itchy but typically heals without scarring. It is not linked to any other health problems. GARD lists onset as the newborn and infant period.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Painless skin peeling
  • Scaling skin
  • Skin blistering
  • Redness of the skin
  • Eczema
  • Severe farsightedness

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include genetic specialists and skin, hair, and nail specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in TGM5 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Genetic specialists (geneticists); Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
Expert care
Expert lists: Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
What skin care can limit peeling?
Which situations, such as heat or friction, should I avoid?
What does TGM5 genetic testing mean for our family?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesTGM5

Changes in the TGM5 gene cause this condition. It is autosomal recessive, so a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

GeneticSkin

Also known as: acral deciduous skin; acral pss; localised deciduous skin; localised pss; localized deciduous skin; localized pss

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Acral peeling skin syndromeGARD ID 12863 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Acral peeling skin syndrome.

Explore the Acral peeling skin syndrome blog

Explore research for Acral peeling skin syndrome

Explore actively recruiting Acral peeling skin syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Acral peeling skin syndrome with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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