Conditions
Ichthyosis
Ichthyosis is a term used to describe continual scaling of the skin. In fact, the name of this condition is derived from the ancient Greek word “ichthys”, which means fish, although not all sufferers have fish-like scales. There are many types of this rare condition, which can be inherited (genetic or congenital) or develop later in life. However, Ichthyosis vulgaris is the commonest form of inherited Ichthyosis, which affects one in every 250 people. This is usually quite mild and develops in early childhood with fine, light grey scales and roughness on the arms and legs. It is sometimes associated with atopic or childhood allergic eczema, which may cause an increased wrinkling of the palms and soles. Regular application of moisturisers or emollients can alleviate the condition, which may improve in adulthood (although the condition can still be passed down to a sufferers children). Some of the rarer and more severe forms of the condition, such as Harlequin Ichthyosis, can require intensive medical and nursing care.
Comments and Questions
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There are quite a few comments here and almost aech ones asks about the cream prescribed. There are many types of ichthyosis, 2 of the common and less severe types are vulgaris and x-linked. Vulgaris is very common and has different severities, from common dryness to scaling. Some of the more severe and hardest types to deal with are a result of increased skin production. I am a member of an ichthyosis forum which is found at www.ichthyosis.com, this website has been a tremendous help over the years. I have ichthyosis vulgaris which like x-linked results in dry skin and scaling appears due to the skin being unable to shed. The cream which I and many other members use is Amlactin 12% (lactic acid) - this works great to help break down the skin and help it shed whilst promoting hydration. I used to use E45 but this cream is 1000 times better. If this cream is too harsh you can use another type of cream with 5% lactic acid. This cream really works wonders but only seems to work for vulgaris and x-linked. Other than the amlactin I also use a spray bottle of 50% water to glycerin as glycerin is an excellent humectant. Use the glycerin mix directly after toweling when you have had a shower/bath, when the skin feels good, then apply the amlactin afterwards. In the summer time I rarely even need to use the creams as the glycerin takes the dryness away on its own. Hope this helps everyone, remember to check out the website and check out amlactin online.
i have this disease condition since childhood(my lower leg skin appears like scaly) , and taken treatment from many doctors. but there is no cure. can you please prescribe me any cream which can cure my skin condition. thank you
Hi, Im really glad I watched this programme as I have really dry scaley skin that had made me miserable and really dented my confidence due to its appearance on my lower legs. Im very pale skinned and have been using Fake Tan for years but as I have this scaley skin, if I apply fake tan it sticks to all the cracks making it look worse. Does this mean I cannot use fake tan anymore? Please help Nikki
I am one of the ichthyosis sufferer like others who have posted their comments in this columns. They all want to know the name of the cream prescribed to the lady on the show since last year. Why you are not giving the name of the cream or the doctor's name whom we can go to see. Please do and help us out of our misery.
Hello I am a middle age black man who is very embrassed to wear shorts I think I am suffering from this ichthyosis which my father also had, could you recomend a cream or should i seek a skin specialist also my legs get very hot is this also a symptom
Can you please tell me the name of the cream which was prescribed to the lady in the programme for Ichthyosis?
I would like to know the name of the cream prescribed for the lady in the program please. My itchy dry scaly legs have their moments.
my partner suffers with very sore, dry, flakey, red skin all over her face, she has tried all sorts of prescribed creams, but nothing seems to work. recently her face has become very very red and very very puffy, also it feels tight, like wearing a face mask. so much that she won't even go out. sometimes it lasts a day, sometimes longer. please can you help? any ideas?
i have had ichthyosis since birth and have tried most types of cream e45 etc , please can you tell me the name of the cream used in the tv program
i have had ichthyosis since birth and have tried most types of cream e45 etc , please can you tell me the name of the cream used in the tv program , i have tried recently Dovonex ,but my gp only prescribed this in a 60g tube and as this should be applied twice daily it didnt last long but was effective,
Sorry does anyone know what cream the lady was precribed?
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