Ichthyosis vulgaris

• Illustrations
• Alternative names
• Definition
• Causes, incidence, and risk factors
• Symptoms
• Signs and tests

• Treatment
• Expectations (prognosis)
• Complications
• Calling your health care provider
• Prevention

Alternative names    Return to top

Definition    Return to top

Ichthyosis vulgaris is a common inherited skin disorder causing dry, scaly skin.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors    Return to top

Ichthyosis vulgaris is one of the most common of the inherited skin disorders. It may begin in early childhood, before a child is 4 years old. In most cases one parent is affected, and each child has a 50-50 chance of being affected. The condition usually disappears during adulthood, but may recur in old age.

Ichthyosis involves development of dry, scaly skin. It is usually most severe over the legs but may also involve the arms, hands, and trunk. Affected persons may also show many fine lines over the palm of the hand. The condition is often more noticeable in the winter. It may be linked with atopic dermatitis, keratosis pilaris (small bumps on the back of the arms), or other skin disorders.

Symptoms    Return to top

• Skin lesion /rash
  • Dry skin, severe
  • Scaly appearance, adherent scales
  • May thicken
• Itching of the skin, mild

Signs and tests    Return to top

The diagnosis is made mostly on the basis of the skin appearance. The health care provider may need to rule out other possible causes of dry, scaly skin. A family history of similar skin dryness is often obtained.

Treatment    Return to top

Heavy duty moisturizing of the affected areas may reduce symptoms. Creams and ointments are more effective than lotions. They are best applied to moist skin immediately after bathing. The use of mild, non-drying soaps is encouraged. Use of moisturizing creams that contain keratolytic agents (chemicals that help skin to shed normally), such as lactic acid, salicylic acid, and urea, are often very helpful in this condition.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

Ichthyosis may be annoying but seldom affects medical health. It usually improves during adulthood but may recur when a person becomes elderly.

Complications    Return to top

Secondary bacterial skin infection may develop if scratching causes openings in the skin.

Calling your health care provider    Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if ichthyosis symptoms persist despite treatment, if symptoms worsen, lesions spread, or if new symptoms develop.

Prevention    Return to top

If you have this condition, be aware that your children are at risk for developing it.