Treatment of ichthyosis

Ichthyosis is a skin disease that everyone may have seen. Many people have rough, black and peeling skin on their legs, and people say it is snake skin. Most people suffer from this type of skin since childhood, and it takes time to treat this type of skin. This type of skin condition is most severe in the cold winter season, when not only does it peel a lot, but the skin also becomes very dry.

Ichthyosis is now a common disease, and most of the diseases are hereditary. However, there is no need to worry too much because the symptoms of some patients will gradually fade or improve as they age. If you find such a disease, you should go to the hospital for treatment in time.

It is an autosomal recessive genetic disease caused by mutations in the serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 5 (SPINK5) gene on chromosome 5p32.

1. Autosomal dominant ichthyosis vulgaris

This type is a common mild ichthyosis. If one or both parents are sick, there will often be patients in the family, but there is no gender difference. The disease often develops in childhood, and the symptoms improve or disappear in adulthood. The severity of skin lesions varies. In mild cases, the skin is only dry in winter, without obvious scales, and powdery scales fall off after scratching. In addition to dry skin, common symptoms include gray-brown or dark brown diamond-shaped or polygonal scales that are fixed in the center and free at the edges.

The disease is often symmetrically distributed on the extensor side of the limbs and trunk, especially on the extensor side of the elbows and knees. It can also occur on the flexor side, and the dorsum of the hand often has follicular keratin lesions, accompanied by hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles. Generally, the face, scalp, elbows, armpits, cheek fossa, vulva, and buttocks are not usually affected. It gets worse in winter and gets better in summer. Patients often have atopic constitutions, such as hay fever and asthma.

2. X-linked ichthyosis vulgaris

Less common. Since the gene for this disease is on the X chromosome, almost all of the cases are males, and most develop within 3 months after birth. The skin lesions are slightly different from the above type. The scales are large and obvious, and are yellowish brown or dirty black in size. The skin is dry and rough. The lesions may be localized or widespread. The front of the neck, extensor side of the limbs, and trunk are often affected. If the face is affected, it is limited to the area in front of the ears and the sides of the face. The armpits, elbows and other parts may also be affected in childhood, and the popliteal fossa may be affected in adulthood. The neck is most severely affected, and the abdomen of the trunk is more serious than the back.

Of course, the treatment of ichthyosis requires the use of some skin care products, and take frequent baths and apply some oil-producing skin care products after washing. Pay attention to your personal hygiene, and go to the hospital for treatment in severe cases in time, and let the doctor make a thorough treatment plan, but generally this disease cannot be cured.