Looks like periople to me, too. I would gently trim off any hanging pieces -- without pulling on them -- and otherwise leave them alone. It's normal for them to peel and shed to some extent, but the same moisture level that's making them look white is also affecting how they're shedding. Think of the loose bits like a hangnail on your own fingertip. You don't want to rip them off, but you don't want to leave them hanging in flaps, either.