Ichthyosis

Symptoms and treatment for icthyosis

Ichthyosis is a rare genetic disorder that causes skin to build up and “scale.” Minor cases are treatable with over-the-counter moisturizers like any other dry skin condition.

Most cases of ichthyosis are serious and require medical help. Not only is the condition disfiguring, it also jeopardizes physical health. The severe dryness and density of the scales caused by ichthyosis are painful, restrict the range of movement and may cause the eyelids to turn outward. Further symptoms include impaired hearing from earwax buildup and deep cracks or fissures in the skin around the joints.

The endemic buildups of skin cells leads to anhydrosis (a lack of sweat) because the ducts that carry sweat to the skin surface get blocked. Icthyosis sufferers must limit physical activity and exposure to high temperatures or they could incur severe forms of prickly heat.

Types of Ichthyosis

Ichthyosis comprises more than 25 specific diseases, all of which are very rare, Less than one in 200,000 adults has some form of icthyosis in the United States. Some of the less common forms of icthyosis include:

Harlequin ichthyosis, appears as massive diamond-shaped scales with a reddish skin color. In addition there may be misshaping of the eyes, ears, and mouth.

Ichthyosis Vulgaris is comparatively milder. Some sufferers of this form only have dry skin and some extra lines near the joints. Other sufferers experience a buildup of scales and the inability to sweat.

Darier’s Disease, manifests itself as dark crusty patches on the skin, sometimes containing pus. The crusty patches are also called keratotic papules, keratosis follicularis, and dyskeratosis follicularis.

Treatment

There is no cure for ichthyosis so it must be managed with daily treatments. Those with ichthyosis must dedicate large blocks of time each day to scrubbing and bathing their skin in order to shed some of the scales, and then apply skin carecreams to help moisturize and exfoliate. Eye ointments to help maintain adequate moisture are vital, since many icthyosis sufferers’ eyes cannot close all the way when they sleep at night. Over-the-counter ear products are usually sufficient to control earwax buildup.

Outside temperatures are beyond anyones control and sometimes exposure to hot air is unavoidable. Isthyosis sufferers can obtain some protection by wrapping wet handkerchiefs around their necks while wearing protective vests lined with frozen gel packs to keep cool.