What are the symptoms of ichthyosis?

Symptoms of ICHTHYOSIS are: (1) Dry skin that gets worse or cracks in the winter months. (2) Skin redness or red bumpy rashes. (3) Scaly skin that flakes off. (4) Welts appear when skin is scratched or rubbed. (5) Blisters

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Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)

Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.

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Learn more about Ichthyosis

Content updated on Sep 20, 2022

What is ichthyosis?

This is a condition that leads to thick, dry and scaly skin due to a buildup of dead skin cells. There are many types of ichthyosis. It can be congenital (the person is born with it) and develop as a result of inherited gene mutations, or acquired later in life.

Symptoms of ichthyosis

Dry skin that gets worse or cracks in the winter months
Skin redness or red bumpy rashes
Scaly skin that flakes off
Welts appear when skin is scratched or rubbed
Blisters

Questions your doctor may ask to check for ichthyosis

Your doctor may ask these questions to diagnose ichthyosis

Does your dry skin get worse or crack in the winter months?
Do you have red skin or red spots on the skin?
Do you have scaly skin that flakes off?
Is your skin red in places where it is exposed to friction or irritation?
Do you have blisters on your skin?

Treatment for ichthyosis

There is no cure, but with appropriate skincare , symptoms of ichthyosis can usually be managed and kept mild. In most cases, this involves moisturising and exfoliating the affected skin. A doctor may prescribe oral medication to treat the skin.

View the symptoms of Ichthyosis

Diseases related to Ichthyosis

References

Takeichi T, Akiyama M. Inherited ichthyosis: Non-syndromic forms. J Dermatol. 2016 Mar;43(3):242-51. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.13243. PMID: 26945532.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1346-8138.13243
Limmer AL, Nwannunu CE, Patel RR, Mui UN, Tyring SK. Management of Ichthyosis: A Brief Review. Skin Therapy Lett. 2020 Jan;25(1):5-7. PMID: 32023022.
https://www.skintherapyletter.com/ichthyoses/management-ichthyosis-review/
Patel N, Spencer LA, English JC 3rd, Zirwas MJ. Acquired ichthyosis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006 Oct;55(4):647-56. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2006.04.047. PMID: 17010746.
https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(06)01222-9/fulltext
Miao H, Dong R, Zhang S, Yang L, Liu Y, Wang T. Inherited ichthyosis and fungal infection: an update on pathogenesis and treatment strategies. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2021 Mar;19(3):341-350. doi: 10.1111/ddg.14389. Epub 2021 Jan 14. PMID: 33448147.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ddg.14389
Vahlquist A, Törmä H. Ichthyosis: A Road Model for Skin Research. Acta Derm Venereol. 2020 Mar 25;100(7):adv00097. doi: 10.2340/00015555-3433. PMID: 32147743.
https://www.medicaljournals.se/acta/content/abstract/10.2340/00015555-3433