Ichthyosis
Treating ichthyosis
There's no cure for ichthyosis, butmoisturising and exfoliating the skin daily can help prevent dryness, scaling and the build-up of skin cells.
Skincare
Your skin specialist (dermatologist) will be able to prescribe or recommend suitable moisturising treatments (emollients) , which may be in the form of a cream, ointment, lotion or bath oil.
You should:
- applyemollientsto wet skin to trap the moisture ideally a few minutes after having a bath or shower
- gently rub wet skin with a pumice stone to remove some of the thickened skin
- brush washed hair to remove scales from your scalp
Other useful exfoliating or moisturising products include lanolin creams, products containing urea,propylene glycol, lactic acid, and other alpha hydroxy acids.
Your dermatologist may also recommend peeling creams, such as salicylic acid,tohelp exfoliate and moisturise your skin. However, some people may find these products irritate their skin.
Antibiotics or antiseptics may be prescribed to treat skin infections.
Steroid treatments aren't effectivefor treating ichthyosis.
Severeichthyosis
People with severe ichthyosis may need to spend several hours a day caring for their skin.
They may have the following problems:
- overheating as a result of a reduced ability to sweat
- limited movement dry skin can make it too painful to move certain parts of the body
- skin infection after cracking and splitting of the skin
- impaired hearing or eyesight if skin builds up over the ears or eyes
People with severe ichthyosis may be prescribed retinoid tablets (synthetic vitamin A), which reduce the growth of overactive scaly skin. They improve the skin's appearance, but don't improve the inflammation or redness.
Vitamin D supplements may also be prescribed.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dez 2018
Introduction
Find out about ichthyosis, a condition that causes widespread and persistent thick, dry, "fish-scale" skin.
What causesichthyosis
Most people with ichthyosis have inherited a particular faulty gene from their parent. The signs and symptoms of inherited ichthyosis appear at birth or within the first year of life. The faulty gene
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
Other types of inherited ichthyosis
Other inherited forms ofichthyosis are very rare and include: X-linked ichthyosis only affects males and includes general scaling, particularly over the limbs and trunk (torso) congenital ichthyo
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
Treating ichthyosis
There's no cure for ichthyosis, butmoisturising and exfoliating the skin daily can help prevent dryness, scaling and the build-up of skin cells. Skincare Your skin specialist (dermatologist) will be
Outlook
People with mild ichthyosis have a normal lifespan. However,the most severe inherited types can be life threatening. If you have inherited ichthyosis, you'll have it for life. Acquired ichthyosis may
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