What Is Ichthyosis?

Ichthyosis is a condition that causes widespread and persistent thick, dry, "fish-scale" skin.

 

Ichthyosis is a series of hereditary skin diseases characterized by dry, thickened and scaly skin. More than 20 types of ichthyosis vary in symptom severity, appearance, potential genetic causes, and mode of inheritance (e.g., dominant, recessive, autosomal, or X-linked).Ichthyosis comes from the Greek ἰχθύς ichthys, literally "fish", since dry, scaly skin is the defining feature of all forms of ichthyosis.

 

Types of ichthyosis

According to symptoms, mode of inheritance, and onset time, there are four main types of ichthyosis: ichthyosis Vulgaris, X-linked ichthyosis, lamellar ichthyosis, and bullous ichthyosis. (also other types known as harlequin ichthyosis, epidermolytic ichthyosis, collodion baby, etc)

 

Causes of ichthyosis

Hereditary ichthyosis is a genetic disease. This means that it was passed on to you from your parents. Genes are the code that tells your body to make proteins, which determines the appearance and function of your body. When genes change or mutate, it will lead to disease. Mutations in the ichthyosis gene affect proteins that protect the skin and keep the skin moist. They also affect the rate at which your body sheds or grows new skin cells.

 

Ichthyosis usually occurs in early childhood. If both of your parents have the gene, your condition may be more serious than if only one of them has the gene.

 

Acquired ichthyosis occurs in adulthood. Doctors do not know what causes it, but people with it usually have other conditions, including:Reduction of thyroid gland, kidney disease, sarcoidosis, a rare disease, can cause inflammatory plaques in the body, such as Hodgkin lymphoma and HIV infection.

 

Some drugs can also cause this:Cancer drugs such as hydroxyurea (Droxia, Hydrea), protease inhibitors (a group of drugs used to treat HIV infections), and vemurafenib ( Zelboraf);Nicotinic acid, which is used to treat high cholesterol

 

Ichthyosis symptoms

In genetic forms, symptoms occur at birth or in the first few months after birth.

 

Dry, scaly skin is the main symptom. Scales form only in certain parts of the body, such as:Trunk,Stomach,Buttocks,Legs,Face and scalp

 

Scales can be white, gray or dark brown. They may have coarse or fine cracks running through them.

In cold and dry weather, drying and scaling can get worse. They usually improve in warm weather.

 

Other signs of ichthyosis are:Skin redness,Blisters,Peeling,Itchiness,Pain,Lines on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet,Tight skin that makes it hard to move

Many people with ichthyosis also have eczema, a red, itchy rash.

 

Scaling can cause complications, such as:

Infected,dehydration,Sweat glands are blocked and may cause overheating,Scales on the scalp slow hair growth

 

Burn more calories because the skin must work harder to turn over cells

 

Ichthyosis can also cause emotional problems. Scales can affect your appearance. People with this disease sometimes feel depressed and inferior.

 

Men with ichthyosis also have an increased risk of the following diseases:Testicular carcinoma,Undescended or hidden testicles,Low sperm count

 

Other complications include:,Loss of vision caused by corneal injury (transparent layer in front of the eye),Brain and nervous system problems