X-Linked

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  • Vulgaris – the most common and mildest form, with scaling/roughness on the arms and legs.  It is common in people with atopic eczema.
  • X Linked  (X linked recessive) – occurs in boys and men.  It is caused by a fault on the female X chromosome and can cause problems during labour/delivery, as the labour may not progress.  If you are a known X linked carrier, it would be advisable to notify your doctor of the possible complications.  Also, there is a higher risk of adult onset testicular cancer in affected males and in more extreme cases, it can cause mental retardation.
  • Non-bullous/Lamellar – very rare with scaling and redness of most of the skin.  Babies are often born with a Caul/Collodian membrane, which sheds soon after birth.  Most babies develop non-bullous ichthyosis, which means inflamed, scaly and non-blistering skin.  In severe cases, the eyelids may be pulled outwards with mild scalp hair loss.  Thickening of the palms and soles can occur.
  • Bullous – rare and red, causing blistering and thick scaling round the joints later on.  At birth the baby’s skin seems fragile and may show blisters.  This form often requires intensive care in the first few weeks of life.  The blistering tends to improve with age but the redness, scaling and thickening of the skin becomes more obvious.  Skin infections can be common.
  • Harlequin – this form is extremely rare but very severe with severe complications at birth.  The baby resembles a harlequin costume.  Many affected babies unfortunately do not survive.
  • Netherton’s Syndrome – red inflamed and scaly skin, spikey hair and problems with gaining weight in early childhood.
  • Sjorgren-Larsson Syndrome – affected babies also have a type of cerebral palsy together with the scaling of skin.
  • Conradi-Hunermann (X linked dominant) – is extremely rare, caused by an abnormal gene on the X chromosome.  This abnormality is so severe in males that it appears to be incompatible with life.  This condition is not seen in males.
  • KID Syndrome – a rare multi system disorder involving the corneas, the skin, nails and hearing loss or severe deafness
In our experience, there will be issues with eyes and ears due to the shedding process and as a parent of a child with Ichthyosis, you will probably need to consult a paediatrician, an E.N.T. consultant, an eye consultant and a dermatologist at some stage, if not on a regular basis.  It is important that cotton is worn next to the skin.  Some sufferer’s have problems with overheating/sweating.

There are numerous products on the market for use on the skin and in our experience, what works for one person may not necessarily work for another.  Similarly there are several methods of dealing with issues like caring for the scalp, the eyes, ears etc.  It’s trial and error in a lot of cases.