Ichthyosis

Ichthyosis – Genetic Skin Condition 

Ichthyosis is a family of genetic skin condition characterized by thick, dry, scaling skin which may be thick or very thin. Most of the people with ichthyosis, inherit a faulty type of gene from their parent and the signs and symptoms of inherited ichthyosis are usually seen at birth or within the first year which can affect them throughout their life.

The faulty gene can affect the rate at which the skin regenerates, either the shedding of old skin cells could be too slow or production of skin cell to be much faster than the shedding of old skin, causing a build-up of scaly, rough skin. Ichthyosis tends to get worse in winter when the air is colder and dryer.

Some of the symptoms of ichthyosis may include, itchy skin, flaky scalp, scales which may tend to be brown, grey or white, severely dry skin or thickened skin or polygon shaped scales on the skin. The dry skin patches may appear on the elbows or the lower legs and most often may affect the shins in thick, dark segments.

In more severe cases, it could also cause deep painful cracks which may develop on the soles of the feet, or the palm of the hands.

Different Kinds of Inherited Ichthyosis

The most common kind of inherited ichthyosis is ichthyosis vulgaris which affects around one in 250 people while other form of ichthyosis are rare and may include:

X-link ichthyosis affects only males and has general scaling especially over limbs, neck and the bottom.

Harlequin ichthyosis is an extremely rare form though the scaling is server which may require intensive care at the time of birth.

Syndromes that include ichthyosis are Netherton’s syndrome or Sjogren-Larsson syndrome.

Congenital ichthysoform erythroderma may develop if a baby is born with shiny yellow membrane which sheds within the first week of birth and once the membrane has shed, it may develop non-bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma which is inflamed, scaly skin that affects the entire skin surface.

Bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma is inflamed, scaly skin with fluid filled blisters which may get infected and give out foul smelling skin odour and

Lamellar ichthyosis is where the skin may not be red in colour but the scales can be larger and tighter to the skin. Severe cases of congenital ichthyosiform erthroderma may have drooping lower eyelids with mild hair loss and tight skin on the fingers.

Acquired Ichthyosis in Adults

Acquired ichthyosis may also be acquired as an adult that could be caused due to certain health conditions like kidney disease, an under active thyroid, lymphoma which is a type of cancer, sarcoidosis, a rare kind of a disease which causes collections of cells to form in the organs and HIV infection.

There is no cure for this condition though treatment may involve exfoliating and moisturising the skin daily in order to prevent scaling, dryness, cracking and for the build-up of skin cells. The dermatologist could recommend appropriate emollients in the form of cream, lotion, ointment or bath oil to keep the skin moist which could be applied to wet skin to keep in the moisture especially after a shower.

 A pumice stone rubbed gently on wet skin to remove some of the thickened skin, and brushing washed hair to remove scales from the scalp would also help to keep this condition under control.