Acquired ichthyosis

Acquired ichthyosis tends to develop in adulthood and isn't inherited. It's usually associated with another condition, such as:

  • an underactive thyroid
  • kidney disease
  • sarcoidosis a rare condition that causes small patches of red swollen tissue to develop in the body's organs
  • Hodgkin lymphoma a rare type of cancer
  • HIV infection

Certain medications can also trigger ichthyosis, including some medications used in targeted cancer therapy, such as vemurafenib and protein kinase inhibitors.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018