Ichthyosis
- Article
- 2021-01-30
Ichthyosis is a group of skin conditions that lead to dry, itchy skin that appears scaly, rough, and red. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Ichthyosis can only affect the skin, but some forms of the disease can also affect internal organs.
Most people inherit ichthyosis from their parents through a mutated (altered) gene. However, some people develop some form of acquired (non-genetic) ichthyosis from another medical condition or from certain medications. While there is currently no cure for ichthyosis, research is ongoing and treatments are available to help manage symptoms.
The outlook for people with ichthyosis varies depending on the type of disease and how severe it is. Most people with ichthyosis require lifelong treatment to make the disease more manageable.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ichthyosis can range from mild to severe. The most common symptoms are:
- Dry skin.
- Itching.
- Redness of the skin.
- Cracking of the skin.
- Scales on the skin that are white, gray, or brown and look like this:
- Small and flaky.
- Large, dark, plate-like dishes.
- Hard, armor-like shells.
Depending on the type of ichthyosis, other symptoms can include:
- Blisters that can break leading to wounds.
- Hair loss or brittle hair.
- Dry eyes and difficulty closing eyelids. Inability to perspire (sweat) because dander clogs the sweat glands.
- Difficulty hearing.
- Thickening of the skin on the palms and soles of the feet.
- Tightening of the skin.
- Difficulty bending some joints.
- Open wounds by scratching itchy skin.
Treatments
There is currently no cure for ichthyosis. The goals of the treatment include reducing the redness of the skin, the thickness of the scales and itching. Treatments can include:
- Moisturize the skin with creams, lotions or ointments to lock in moisture in the skin and reduce dryness and flaking. This works best if the topicals are applied when the skin is damp.
- Take long baths to soften and release scales.
- Taking a retinoid, a type of medication that can reduce scaling.
- Using prescription creams or ointments that may contain retinoids or other medications.
Depending on the type and severity of the disease, physicians may recommend additional treatment with "keratolytic" topical agents that can help dislodge flakes. However, these can be irritating for some people and have potential side effects if used in large amounts. Talk to your doctor before using any treatment option.
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