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Living with Generalized peeling skin syndrome

An inherited skin condition in which the top layer of skin peels over much of the body.

Understanding Generalized peeling skin syndrome

Generalized peeling skin syndrome is an inherited skin condition with peeling of the top layer of skin over the whole body.

There are two subtypes. Type A has white scaling and non-inflamed peeling of the surface of the skin. Type B has patchy peeling over all of the skin with underlying redness (erythroderma), itching, and allergy-related conditions (atopy). It is usually noticed in the newborn period or infancy.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet. The summary describes peeling skin, scaling, and in type B redness and itching.

  • Peeling of the top layer of skin
  • White scaling of the skin (type A)
  • Skin redness (erythroderma) in type B
  • Itching (pruritus) in type B

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. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

  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
Do I or my child have type A or type B?
Can genetic testing confirm the diagnosis?
How should we care for and moisturize the skin?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive

Changes in genes cause this condition. A child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent (autosomal recessive). GARD does not name the gene.

GeneticSkin

Also known as: generalised deciduous skin; generalised pss; generalized deciduous skin; generalized pss; peeling skin syndrome type 1

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Generalized peeling skin syndromeGARD ID 12862 · 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 Generalized peeling skin syndrome.

Explore the Generalized peeling skin syndrome blog

Explore research for Generalized peeling skin syndrome

Explore actively recruiting Generalized peeling skin syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

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

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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  • 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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