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Peeling Fingers With a Raw Food Diet

Jan 11, 2012 | By Paula Bogas
Peeling Fingers With a Raw Food Diet
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Eating raw foods such as vegetables, fruits and grains for days, weeks or even months at a time or beginning a lifelong lifestyle of these foods is thought to be healthy. Over the first few days of the diet, however, you can expect to lose a lot of retained water within your body, primarily in your skin. As the skin dries, the outermost layer will start to peel, and this temporary skin condition may affect extremities such as fingers and toes.

Raw Food Diet and Its Benefits

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has stated that there are several healthy benefits when you follow an appropriate vegetarian or vegan diet. A raw food diet consists mostly of "living foods," such as uncooked fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouts, cereals and other grains. While not a lot of research data exists that proves the health benefits of a raw food diet, there are some studies that show positive findings, according to The Vegetarian Resource Group. Research has indicated that individuals following a raw food diet experience weight loss and the lowering of high blood pressure. Further studies have reported improvements of symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis, fybromyalgia and even cancer.

Effects of the Raw Food Diet

While the raw food diet may or may not be beneficial to you, depending on your lifestyle or what your doctor suggests, there are some concerns to be addressed. One of the most important of these is the risk of a deficiency of several needed vitamins and minerals, such as B12, iron and zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. Because of the vitamin B12 deficiency especially, you could have a higher level of homocysteine, amino acids that build protein, in your blood. This can in turn contribute to heart disease. Another side effect of the raw food diet is the dehydration of your skin, especially for the first few days. Your body may have a reaction similar to a detoxification method when you start the raw food diet, as several toxins, along with salt and excess water, leave your body. When too much water has left your body, your skin in places may become very dry, turn flaky and start to peel.

Drying and Peeling Skin

Your skin peels when the upper layer, or the epidermis, of the skin is damaged. Healthy skin cells will shrivel up from a lack of hydration within them and flake away, causing the skin to peel. This is very common with sunburns, when the dry, sun-damaged skin peels away and leaves reddened, sore skin beneath it. The same lack of hydration may occur with the raw food diet. This is a temporary symptom as your body detoxifies and acclimates to your new diet. A good way to counteract this skin condition is to simply drink more water as you start your raw food diet, and continue a normal regimen of water and juice throughout.

Ways to Treat Peeling Skin

Under the raw food diet, you shouldn't have to worry too much about treatment, as it is a temporary disorder, but if the peeling skin on your hands is a concern for you, there are a few things you can do besides drinking more fluids. Use hand creams and moisturizing lotions to quickly add hydration to your skin, and avoid using harsh soaps that contain synthetic ingredients or chemicals. Taking a bath or shower less often may help as well.

Check With Your Doctor

Consult with your doctor before trying the raw food diet, as it has been known to cause problems for people with diabetes and hypoglycemia, as well as those living in colder climates. Check with a dermatologist if your peeling skin doesn't go away after a few days on the diet or the condition gets worse.

References

Article reviewed by David Bill Last updated on: Jan 11, 2012

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