Ichthyosis
A group of skin disorders characterized by dry, scaly, or thickened skin.
- Treatment can help, but this condition can't be cured
- Requires a medical diagnosis
- Lab tests or imaging rarely required
- Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
Most cases of ichthyosis are inherited, but some types develop in association with genetic syndromes or diseases, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Symptoms depend on the type of ichthyosis. The most common symptoms include pain and dry, scaly skin.
Medications containing salicylic acid or urea may relieve dryness and ease scaliness. Severe cases may need vitamin A derivatives called retinoids.
Rare: Fewer than 200,000 US cases per year
Consult a doctor for medical advice
Sources: Mayo Clinic and others. Learn more
People also ask
Can ichthyosis be treated?
There is currently no cure for ichthyosis. The goals of treatment include reducing the redness of the skin, thickness of the scales, and itching. Treatments can include: Hydrating the skin with creams, lotions, or ointments to help trap moisture in the skin and relieve dryness and scaling.
Does ichthyosis go away with age?
In other cases, symptoms can disappear during childhood and return during the teen years, or even adulthood. The condition usually improves with age. For the most part, people who have ichthyosis vulgaris live a normal life, although they will probably always have to treat their skin.
Mar 1, 2019
How painful is ichthyosis?
This rigidity can make moving uncomfortable and can cause the skin to crack and fissure. Thickening of the skin on the soles of the feet can make walking difficult and cracking around the fingers can make even simple tasks painful.
What is the cause of ichthyosis skin disease?
Gene mutations (changes) cause all of the inherited types of ichthyosis. Many gene mutations have been identified and the inheritance pattern depends on the type of ichthyosis. People continually grow new skin and shed old skin throughout their lives.
Sep 1, 2023
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Sep 1, 2023 · Overview of Ichthyosis. Ichthyosis refers to a group of skin disorders that lead to dry, itchy skin that appears scaly, rough, and red.
Ichthyosis is a group of rare skin conditions that cause dry, scaly skin. It's usually something you're born with, but it can happen later in life.
Ichthyosis is a family of genetic skin disorders characterized by dry, thickened, scaly skin. The more than 20 types of ichthyosis range in severity of ...
Nov 1, 2023 · Ichthyosis is a skin disorder in which skin cells don't properly separate or shed. This leaves behind rough, dark, scaly skin.
There is no cure for inherited ichthyosis vulgaris. Treatment focuses on reducing the scale and dry skin.
Ichthyosis is a family of genetic skin disorders characterized by dry, scaling skin that may be thickened or very thin.
May 9, 2023 · Ichthyosis refers to a relatively uncommon group of skin disorders characterized by the presence of excessive amounts of dry surface scales.
May 31, 2023 · Ichthyosis vulgaris is a skin disorder passed down through families that leads to dry, scaly skin.
Ichthyosis (ick-thee-owe-sis) means 'fish scale', and is the name of a group of genetic skin diseases that cause dry, scaly, thickened skin.
Mar 1, 2019 · The main feature of ichthyosis vulgaris is dry, thick and scaly skin. The condition can begin in childhood, often in the first year of life.
