Ichthyosis is a skin disorder causing dry and scaly skin.

Causes

• Genetic or hereditary
• Certain medical conditions like underactive thyroid, sarcoidosis, lymphoma, or HIV infection

Symptoms
Symptoms vary according to the type of ichthyosis and include:

• Dry, rough and scaly skin
• Thickening of the skin
• Itching

Treatment
There is no cure for ichthyosis and treatment includes:

• Topical creams and moisturizers to hydrate the skin
• Exfoliation to remove thickened skin
• Retinoids to reduce scaling
• Prescription creams and ointments containing alpha hydroxy acids

Prevention
There is no way to prevent ichthyosis.