Ichthyosis – What is it, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Ichthyosis – What it is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments most suitable for treating this disorder once and for all. In addition, Ichthyosis is a skin disorder (rare), transmitted from parents to children, which results in dry and scaly skin.
This disease can start in early childhood, before the child turns 4 years old. Ichthyosis is characterized by the accumulation of large amounts of scales or dead cells in the upper layer of the skin.
In most cases, one parent is affected and each child has a 50% chance of developing Ichthyosis . This disorder most commonly develops in winter and can occur along with atopic dermatitis , keratosis pilaris (small papillae on the back of the arms), or other skin problems.
Ichthyosis – What it is: Ichthyosis is a heterogeneous group of diseases that have in common the presence of a scaly skin, in many cases separated by fissures, while the skin is at the same time fragile, and can even be injured. more easily.
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The name Ichthyosis derives from the Greek Ichtys, which means fish, in a comparison between the appearance of the skin of patients with this disease and the scales of a fish. Ichthyosis is the result of a genetic mutation passed from parents to children. In some rare cases, the mutation occurs spontaneously in the affected generation.
Causes of Ichthyosis: Hereditary forms of Ichthyosis are caused by mutations in genes and passed from one or both parents to a child. In some cases, the parents themselves do not have the disease, but carry out the genetic mutations.
In other cases, mutations occur spontaneously during egg or sperm formation, or at or immediately after conception. When mutations occur in more than 40 genes, they are now known to cause inherited ichthyosis . In general, mutations in more than one gene can cause different clinical types of Ichthyosis .
Symptoms of Ichthyosis: This disorder can occur anywhere on the body, especially in the legs, arms, hands and trunk. Symptoms of Ichthyosis can range from mild to severe, including:
- Severe itching or mild itching;
- Thickening and dryness of the skin (severe);
- Ectropion (inverted eyelid) and eversion (everted lips);
- Large areas with scales;
- Cracks in the skin with formation of fissures;
- In severe cases, infections and scarring of the skin, because the patient rubs or scratches the scales appear continuously.
Types of Ichthyosis: The main types of Ichthyosis include:
- Harlequin Ichthyosis: It is the most serious type of Ichthyosis characterized by intense dryness that can stretch the skin and turn the lips and eyelids inside out. Normally, babies with this type of Ichthyosis must be admitted to the ICU shortly after birth;
- Ichthyosis Vulgaris: This is the most common and mild type of Ichthyosis that causes dry , thick, scaly skin up to 5 years of age;
- Lamellar ichthyosis: Normally the baby is born with a yellowish layer that flakes off over time. Throughout life, the patient has dry skin similar to Ichthyosis vulgaris;
- X-linked ichthyosis: it only appears in boys shortly after birth, causing the appearance of scaly skin on the hands, feet, neck, trunk or butt.
Ichthyosis Treatments: The treatment of Ichthyosis consists of moisturizing the skin, to strengthen the affected region, which becomes more fragile and sensitive. It is always good to keep the skin moist, a process that helps to hydrate the skin and also contributes to improving the appearance of the patient’s skin, removing dry and scaly skin.
It is possible that the patient needs the use of medication during Ichthyosis treatment , but this must be indicated by the doctor responsible for the case. The sun can harm or help with treatment. This situation will depend on the type of disease and with medical advice the patient will know whether or not to expose himself to the sun.
The use of creams, soaps and water temperature will be indicated by the doctor. Very hot baths are not recommended for patients suffering from Ichthyosis . The disease has no cure and the patient needs to know how to deal with the treatment of Ichthyosis , which is carried out for life.
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It is usually not tiring and gives the patient a lot of work, however, it is an adaptation of the routine with tasks that are not performed by most people. The problem does not present dangers and risk of death to patients, but discomfort and embarrassment can happen, precisely because the disease affects the patient’s skin, making it visible to anyone.