Ichthyosis

Ichthyosis is a group of rare skin conditions that cause dry, scaly skin. It's usually something you're born with, but it can happen later in life. It cannot usually be cured, but there are treatments to help the symptoms.

Check if it's ichthyosis

The main symptom of ichthyosis is very dry, scaly skin that may also be thick and rough.

It usually affects large areas of the body including the arms, legs, torso, ears, face, or the whole body.

The symptoms are often there from birth, but they can also appear after a few months or years. Sometimes the symptoms appear later in life because of another health condition, or from taking certain medicines.

A close-up showing thickened and dry skin with ichthyosis scaling on brown skin.

Ichthyosis can sometimes have more severe symptoms, including:

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

  • you or your child have symptoms of ichthyosis

The GP may refer you to a skin specialist if they think you have ichthyosis.

Treatments for ichthyosis

Most types of ichthyosis cannot be cured, but there are treatments to help the symptoms.

Treatments may include:

A skin specialist will talk to you about the different options.

For more severe ichthyosis symptoms treatment can also include:

If the ichthyosis symptoms are caused by another health condition or medicine, treating the condition or changing the medicine can improve the symptoms.

How to ease ichthyosis symptoms at home

There are things you can do to help ease ichthyosis symptoms at home.

Do

  • use emollients on affected skin at least once a day – ideally when your skin is still wet after having a bath or shower

  • try different types of emollient to find 1 that works best

  • use a comb on wet hair to remove scaly skin on the scalp

  • talk to your skin specialist if any treatments cause irritation

Don’t

  • do not smoke or go near flames if using an emollient that contains paraffin

  • do not use soap on affected skin – use an emollient instead of soap

Types of ichthyosis

There are at least 20 different types of ichthyosis.

Most types are passed on from your parents in your genes, and you have symptoms from birth or soon after.

These include:

You can also get ichthyosis in later life because of another health condition, such as kidney disease, or as a reaction to certain medicines.

Information:

More information

Page last reviewed: 4 May 2023
Next review due: 4 May 2026