Ichthyosis is a group of about 30 skin conditions that cause skin dryness and scaling. The condition gets its name from the Greek word for fish because the skin looks like fish scales. Ichthyosis refers to a group of skin disorders that lead to dry, itchy skin that appears scaly, rough, and red.

Understanding the Context

The symptoms can range from mild to severe. Ichthyosis can affect only the skin, but some forms of the disease can affect internal organs as well. The more than 20 types of ichthyosis range in severity of symptoms, outward appearance, underlying genetic cause and mode of inheritance (e.g., dominant, recessive, autosomal or X-linked). Ichthyosis vulgaris is a common condition that causes dry, scaly skin.

Key Insights

It’s usually caused by a genetic mutation (change), but can also be associated with medical conditions or medications. Ichthyosis is the term for severe, persistent problems with dry skin that almost always start in childhood or infancy. Ichthyosis can be genetic (inherited) or can develop later in life. In a large majority of people with the disease, the cause is related to one or more genetic mutations. Ichthyosis is scaling and flaking of skin ranging from mild but annoying dryness to severe disfiguring disease.

Final Thoughts

Ichthyosis can also be a sign of systemic disease. Diagnosis is clinical. Treatment involves emollients and sometimes oral retinoids. There are at least 20 varieties of ichthyosis, which can be genetic, acquired or form part of an ichthyosiform syndrome. This chapter, which is set out as below, provides a brief overview on ichthyosis, with a focus on the more common and/or important types. Ichthyosis refers to a group of skin conditions that cause a widespread persistent dry, scaly skin.

This can range from mild to severe and is sometimes associated with skin inflammation (red or darker skin). It may be inherited (genetic) or acquired during life.