Ichthyosis vulgaris

Ichthyosis vulgaris is the most common type of inheritedichthyosis, affecting1 in 250-1,000 people. Signs and symptomsinclude:

  • skin may appear normal at birth
  • skin gradually becomes dry, rough and scaly, usually before the age of one
  • the face and the bends of the elbows and knees aren't usually affected
  • limbs may develop fine light-grey scales
  • the skin on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet may have more lines than normal and be thickened
  • the child often also has eczema
  • symptoms are often worse when it's cold and dry and improve in warm, humid conditions this meansthey may be more noticeable in the winterthan the summer
Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018