Body aches and peeling skin can result for a variety of reasons, and they may not necessarily have the same cause. You may have more than one condition, medication or illness contributing to your symptoms, or they may be side effects of your medications. These symptoms can also have a single cause. If you experience unexplained aches and peeling skin, seek medical attention to determine what is causing them.
Causes of Body Aches
Body aches can refer to pain that affects the muscles, ligaments, tendons or fascia, and they are not an uncommon complaint. Most people experience these pains from time to time due to overuse, tension or injuries, and this type of pain typically responds well to ice and rest. Body aches can also be symptomatic of a medical disease or condition, such as a mineral imbalance, fibromyalgia, lupus, rhabdomyolysis and various infections such as the flu, lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Certain medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure and high cholesterol, can cause body aches as well.
Causes of Peeling Skin
Peeling skin occurs when the upper layer of your skin has suffered damage, and this can be due to both external and internal causes. It may also be accompanied by rashes, itching and other forms of skin irritation, and the severity of peeling will depend on the cause. Common causes of peeling skin include sunburn, allergic reactions, immune system disorders, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, athlete’s foot and Kawasaki disease. Some medications, as well as various types of infections, can lead to peeling skin, too.
Causes of Both
Some conditions, such as staph infections, can cause both body aches and peeling skin. This type of infection results when staphylococcus bacteria enter your body, which can result in a variety of conditions and symptoms, including boils, impetigo, blood poisoning and toxic shock syndrome, all of which can cause pain and skin peeling. Scarlet fever, an infection that afflicts children, can also lead to both symptoms, and other signs of it include a red throat, fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit and swollen glands. Additionally, some medications can cause both your skin to peel and your body to become achy.
Seeking Medical Attention
If you experience severe and unexplained pain or peeling skin, seek medical attention. Additionally, see your doctor if you or your child exhibit any signs of a serious illness or infection, such as a fever, unintentional weight loss, fatigue, skin blisters, shaking, chills or swollen joints. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or stop taking your medications without your physician’s consent. Additionally, do not begin taking any new medications without asking her either since these may interact with any conditions you have or even worsen one or both of your symptoms.
