Causes
Ichthyosis vulgaris tends to get worse during the winter, when cold and dry air can cause symptoms. In the summer, the disease can virtually disappear because of the warm, moist air. Sometimes patients notice ichthyosis vulgaris symptoms before they are diagnosed with more serious diseases.
Symptoms
With continued effective treatment and good advice about skin care, ichthyosis is usually very manageable. Some forms of ichthyosis improve after childhood. Rare forms of ichthyosis can be life threatening, even in infancy, if skin problems are severe.
Prevention
Ichthyosis vulgaris is the most common and mildest form of ichthyosis. Of those who have some form of ichthyosis, 95 percent have ichthyosis vulgaris. The main feature of ichthyosis vulgaris is dry, thick and scaly skin. The condition can begin in childhood, often in the first year of life.
Complications
Depending on the type of gene abnormality that causes ichthyosis, the skin can show different patterns of flaking. In most cases of ichthyosis vulgaris, for example, skin will flake over the majority of the body, but not on the inside surfaces of joints, in the groin area or on the face.
Does ichthyosis vulgaris get worse in the winter?
Is ichthyosis life threatening?
What is the most common form of ichthyosis?
Does ichthyosis show different patterns of flaking?
How does ichthyosis affect the body?
Ichthyosis disrupts this balance either because too many replacement skin cells are produced or because the skin cells do not separate well from the skin surface when it is their time to drop off. The result is that skin cells accumulate into thick flakes that adhere to the body and can resemble fish scales.
How to diagnose ichthyosis?
A doctor usually can diagnose ichthyosis by looking at the skin. A family history is also very useful. In some cases, a skin biopsy will be done to help to confirm the diagnosis. In a biopsy, a small piece of skin is removed and examined under a microscope.
What is Ichthyosis?
Ichthyosis is the term for severe, persistent problems with dry skin that almost always start in childhood or infancy. Ichthyosis can be genetic (inherited) or can develop later in life. In a large majority of people with the disease, the cause is related to one or more genetic mutations.
Why is it important to contact a doctor if you have ichthyosis?
Because ichthyosis can make the skin a less effective barrier to infection, it is important to contact a physician if you develop a fever or redness of the skin.
Why is my skin dry in winter?
Skin dryness is usually worse in winter months and in dry climates, because warmth and humidity improve these symptoms. Many people who have ichthyosis vulgaris also have allergic problems, such as allergic nasal congestion, asthma or eczema.
What is the best treatment for ichthyosis?
These include lotions or creams that contain lactic acid or other "alpha-hydroxy acids.". If the ichthyosis leads to scratching that causes skin infections, or if body odor is a major problem, antibiotics may be needed from time to time.
When are ichthyosis symptoms visible?
Symptoms of all genetic types of ichthyosis are either noticeable at birth or appear during childhood. Symptoms may include:
What Is Ichthyosis?
Ichthyosis is a group of about 20 skin conditions that cause skin dryness and scaling. The condition gets its name from the Greek word for fish, because the skin looks like fish scales. You might also hear it called fish scale or fish skin disease.
What is ichthyosis caused by?
Ichthyosis Causes. Inherited ichthyosis i s a genetic condition. That means it’s passed down to you from your parents. Genes are the codes that tell your body to make proteins, which determine how your body looks and functions. When there are changes or mutations to a gene, it can cause disease.
What is the diagnosis of ichthyosis?
Ichthyosis Diagnosis. 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: Take a sample of skin to check under a microscope. This is called a biopsy.
How many people have ichthyosis vulgaris?
Ichthyosis vulgaris. It affects about 1 out of every 250 people. Gray, brown, or white scales can show up in early childhood. X-linked recessive ichthyosis. It affects about 1 out of 6,000 people, but only males. It can raise your risk for testicular cancer. Women can be carriers and may have labor problems.
Why does my skin get thicker with ichthyosis?
People with this condition lose the protective barrier that keeps moisture in their skin. They also make new skin cells too quickly or shed old cells too slowly. This leads to a buildup of thick, scaly skin. Most cases of ichthyosis are mild.
What happens when you scale off your skin?
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: Infections. Dehydration.
When do ichthyosis symptoms appear?
Ichthyosis Symptoms. In the inherited forms, symptoms appear at birth or in the first few months of life. Dry, scaly skin is the main symptom. The scales form on only some parts of the body, such as the:
How old is ichthyosis?
Get a disease or take a medicine that can trigger ichthyosis. When caused by genes, the disease appears during childhood, usually between 3 months and 5 years of age. This type of ichthyosis vulgaris is called inherited ichthyosis vulgaris. It often runs in families.
What causes ichthyosis vulgaris?
Inherited ichthyosis vulgaris is caused by genes. The person either inherits the genes for this disease from one or both parents or genes changes while the baby is forming inside the womb. As a result, the skin has less filaggrin than it needs. The body needs filaggrin to create a healthy outermost layer of skin.
Can ichthyosis vulgaris show up before symptoms?
Acquired ichthyosis vulgaris can show up before the person has signs of the triggering disease . If this happens, the person should have a complete physical. It’s important to find the cause.
Is ichthyosis vulgaris rare?
The other type of ichthyosis vulgaris is very rare. Called acquired ichthyosis vulgaris, this type usually affects adults only. It appears when it is triggered by a disease or medicine. People of all races get ichthyosis vulgaris. About the same number of males and females develop this disease.
What Is Ichthyosis?
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Expected Duration
Prevention
Treatment
When to Call A Professional
Prognosis
Further Information