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The Curious Bag
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Desquamation is the medical term for shedding of skin cells. Specifically it refers to the outer layer of skin. Desquamation may be caused by the normal life cycle of skin cells or as a reaction to injury of the layers of your skin.
Normal Aging of Skin Cells
Your skin is made up of layers. The deepest layer is where your new skin cells are produced. As these cells age, they make their way up to the outer layer of the skin. After the skin cells die, they are sloughed off of the surface of the skin by natural shedding.
Sunburn
When skin is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays, it may react and cause a sunburn. A sunburn is characterized by red, itchy, swollen and peeling skin.
Injuries
Injuries to the skin may include burns, cuts and blisters. All these injuries cause the outer layer of skin to die. This causes peeling of the injured tissue.
Disease
Measles and chicken pox cause lesions and eruptions on the skin that once healed, causing the shedding of dead skin cells.
Reaction to Medications
Some medications may cause your skin to become inflamed and peel. Sulfa drugs, penicillin and some diuretics can cause skin reactions.
Source:
Ohio State University Medical Center: Skin Conditions
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