Ichthyosis – pronounced Ick-thee-osis - is the term used to describe the continual scaling of skin. It can be inherited or acquired in later life. It is not contagious. There are several forms of inherited Ichthyosis. Inherited forms are usually evident at or soon after birth. They range from mild to severe and affect most if not all parts of the body. Symptoms tend to persist throughout life although some types improve with age. Similarly, some types also improve in milder weather.
There is no cure for Ichthyosis, but there are treatments including creams, emollients, oils, soap substitutes (bubbles are bad) and in some cases retinoids. An Ichthyosis sufferer is sheds the same amount of skin overnight as an unaffected person sheds in a fortnight. The skin is usually tight which can restrict mobility. Our paediatrician described the condition as one where the child’s “skin doesn’t fit”. As with any kind of dry skin, there is an accompanying itch and in some types, the skin blisters. The scales often appear as thick brown patches and look as if it’s a dirty patch – I constantly told people that my child wasn’t dirty, I had washed him but couldn’t get rid of the brown patches.
