Expert: Glen Aukerman, M.D. - 5/29/2007

Question
My 19-month-old son has peeling hands and feet, just the
soles and palms.

When he was 3 months old he was diagnosed  with reflux and milk allergy. He was put on Nutramagin because even soy affected his digestive system. At 16 months, we tried him on Lactaid and he (possibly coincidentally) broke out in red, ichy bumps on his face, belly, legs, back, and head. We took him to the doctor and went back on Nutramagin BUT one of the bumps on his big toe remained. It looked blistered but had no fluid in it. Then it started to peel and the entire bottom of his foot began to peel around his toes. It peeled in thick, not thin layers. Then his other foot and the palms of his hands peeled the same way.

After the bumps (Apr 5) but before the peeling, both I and my son came down with flu-like symptoms (Apr 15). We became very dehydrated - almost to the point of needing emergency care. This lasted 3 days.  During that time we took
a lot of Benedryl, Advil and Tylenol cold medicines. Could that have caused the peeling?

If not, do you have any idea what this is? Could it be from foods with milk in it? My pediatrican does not seem alarmed enough for me. It looks painful and the skin on his body is dry. It cracks and looks like he's scratched up no matter what I use.

I've searched all over the web and am at a loss for an answer. Please help.

Sincerely,
a worried mom

Answer
Strep causes peeling as does stevens-johnson syndrome from soy and other food additives.
We treat this at the OSU Center for Integrative Medicine but need to examine you for toxicities and deficiencies before recommending the corrective measures.
http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/hospitalsandservices/primarycare/im/