Disease Information

Diagnosis of Ichthyosis

Sometimes it’s so mild that it looks like regular dry skin. If the dryness and scaling bother you, see a dermatologist—a doctor who treats skin problems—for treatment. They may:

• Ask if other people in your family have any skin problems.
• Look at your skin, hair, and nails.
• Take a sample of skin to check under a microscope. This is called a biopsy.
• Test your blood or saliva for gene changes that cause certain types of ichthyosis.

Ichthyosis Complications

Skin is your body’s barrier. It holds moisture inside and keeps out bacteria and other invaders that might make you sick. When ichthyosis makes pieces of your skin scale off, you lose some of this protective layer.

Scaling can lead to complications such as:

• Skin infections
• Dehydration
• Blocked sweat glands, which can lead to overheating
• Slow hair growth from scales on the scalp or hair loss
• Burning more calories because the skin has to work harder to turn over cells

Ichthyosis can cause emotional issues, too. The scales can affect the way you look. People with this condition sometimes feel depressed and have low self-esteem.

Kids with ichthyosis are more likely to get:

• Eczema
• Asthma
• Hay fever
• Hives

Men with ichthyosis are also at an increased risk of:

• Testicular cancer
• Undescended or hidden testicles
• Low sperm count

Other complications include:

• Vision loss from damage to the cornea (the clear layer in the front of the eye)
• Hearing loss
• Brain and nervous system problems

Treatment of Ichthyosis

It can’t be cured, but treatments can help you manage dry and scaly skin.

Rub cream, lotion, or ointment onto your skin every day to add moisture. Look for rich creams that have any of these ingredients: lanolin, alpha hydroxy acids, urea, or propylene glycol. Products with ceramides or cholesterol also keep skin moist.

Apply the lotion right after you step out of the shower or bath, while your skin is still damp. This will help hold in moisture.

Other things you can try:

• Take more than one bath a day to hydrate your skin
• Take baths in salt water to help with burning, stinging, or itching
• If you get infections often, try adding a little bit of bleach to your baths
• Rub your skin with a pumice stone or rough sponge to help get rid of dead skin
• Remove dead skin with a product that contains salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or lactic acid

Prevention of Ichthyosis

You can’t make ichthyosis go away. But there’s a lot you can do to make it feel better and help with your symptoms. Some steps you can take include:

• Taking baths or other steps to add moisture to your skin
• Staying cool. Heat and sweat can make it worse
• Use a humidifier to keep heat and air conditioning from drying out your skin
• Wear loose clothes that are cotton or another fabric that doesn’t bother your skin
• Avoid laundry detergents or other products with dyes and perfumes

It always helps to find other people with the same condition. They can be a source of support and have ideas for things to try. Look for a support group online or where you live with other people who have ichthyosis. If you’re struggling with your skin condition, reach out to a mental health professional.

Key Points to Remember

• Ichthyosis is a group of genetic skin diseases that cause dry, scaly, thickened skin
• It is usually present at birth or develops in childhood
• Most children with ichthyosis have a mild form of the condition, with few effects on their general health and wellbeing. In some children ichthyosis is very severe and affects the entire skin surface or causes blisters
• Treatment may involve medications and always taking good care of the skin
• If your child is prescribed retinoid medication they will need regular blood tests and check-ups

Reference:

https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Ichthyosis/

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-is-ichthyosis