About vulgaris type ichthyosis

What is vulgaris type ichthyosis?

In ichthyosis vulgaris, the skin cells are produced at a normal rate, but they do not shed normally at the surface of the outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) and are not shed as quickly as they should be. The result is a build-up of scale. Fine scales usually develop on the back and over muscles near the joints, such as an elbow or knee (extensor muscles). Ichthyosis is usually most common and severe over the lower legs.

What are the symptoms for vulgaris type ichthyosis?

In homozygous individuals symptom was found in the vulgaris type ichthyosis condition

Ichthyosis vulgaris is characterized by Dry skin with small scales in a color range from white to dirty gray or brown.

Ichthyosis vulgaris slows your skin's natural shedding process. This causes chronic, excessive buildup of the protein in the upper layer of the skin (keratin). Symptoms include:

  • Dry, scaly skin
  • Tile-like, small scales
  • White, gray or brown scales, depending on skin color
  • Flaky scalp
  • Deep, painful cracks in your skin

The scales usually appear on your elbows and lower legs and may be especially thick and dark over your shins. Most cases of ichthyosis vulgaris are mild, but some can be severe. The severity of symptoms may vary widely among family members who have the condition.

Symptoms usually worsen or are more pronounced in cold, dry environments and tend to improve or even resolve in warm, humid environments.

What are the causes for vulgaris type ichthyosis?

Ichthyosis vulgaris is commonly caused by a genetic mutation that's inherited from one or both parents. Children who inherit a defective gene from just one parent have a milder form of the disease. Those who inherit two defective genes have a more severe form of ichthyosis vulgaris. Children with the inherited form of the disorder usually have normal skin at birth, but develop scaling and roughness during the first few years of life.

If genetic abnormalities aren't responsible for ichthyosis, it's referred to as acquired ichthyosis. It's usually associated with other diseases, such as cancer, thyroid disease or HIV/AIDS.

What are the treatments for vulgaris type ichthyosis?

Ichthyosis vulgaris doesn't have a known cure, so the goal of treatment is to manage the condition.

Medications

Treatments may include:

  • Exfoliating creams and ointments. Prescription creams and ointments containing alpha hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid and glycolic acid, help control scaling and increase skin moisture.
  • Oral medication. Your doctor may prescribe vitamin A-derived medications called retinoids to reduce the production of skin cells. Side effects from the medication may include eye and lip inflammation, bone spurs and hair loss.

    Retinoids may cause birth defects. Women considering retinoid therapy should be sure they are not pregnant before starting the medication — and use effective birth control while taking retinoids.

What are the risk factors for vulgaris type ichthyosis?

Vulgaris type Ichthyosis is an inherited skin condition where the surface of your skin develops thick, dry scales from the accumulation of dead skin cells.

  • Vulgaris type Ichthyosis, also known as fish scale disease or fish skin disease, can cause scales to develop from birth, but this is typically when they first do.
  • Since they are easily mistaken for cases of severely dry skin, modest occurrences of Vulgaris type Ichthyosis can go undetected.
  • There are some severe cases of Vulgaris type Ichthyosis, although the majority are minor.
  • Sometimes Vulgaris type Ichthyosis is linked to other skin conditions, like the allergic skin disorder eczema.
  • Treatments for Vulgaris type Ichthyosis concentrate on managing the condition because a cure has not yet been discovered.


Risk factors involved in Vulgaris type Ichthyosis

  • A genetic mutation inherited from one or both parents frequently results in Vulgaris type Ichthyosis.
  • The condition is milder in children who receive a faulty gene from just one parent.
  • Vulgaris type Ichthyosis is more severe in people who inherit two faulty genes.
  • Children with the hereditary form of the illness often have normal skin at birth, but within the first few years of life, scaling and roughness develop.
  • Vulgaris type Ichthyosis is referred to as acquired ichthyosis if hereditary defects aren't the cause.
  • It frequently co-occurs with other conditions such as cancer, thyroid disease, or HIV/AIDS.


Symptoms
Symptoms vary from mild xerosis to large adherent scales,White, fine scales with predominant extensor distribution in patients with heterozygous mutations,In homozygous individuals, large, centrally adherent scales on limbs and trunk,Palmoplanar fissuring and hyperkeratosis,Extensive scaling on scalp
Conditions
Overheating,Secondary infection
Drugs
Exfoliating creams and ointments,Prescription creams and ointments containing alpha hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid and glycolic acid,Oral medications

Is there a cure/medications for vulgaris type ichthyosis?

Vulgaris type Ichthyosis is a group of skin disorders that causes widespread scaling of the skin through keratinization.

  • They are either hereditary or acquired. Loss of function mutations in the gene FLG, which is involved in the process of keratin intermediate alignment in skin cells.
  • The process is responsible for the formation of a cornified cell envelope that defines the skin barrier.
  • The acquired form may be associated with underlying diseases, including cancer, AIDS, lupus erythematosus, or conditions that lower lipid and vitamin absorption such as celiac disease and Crohn’s disease.
  • Ichthyosis disrupts the immunological barrier rendering the patients with vulnerability to high penetrance of allergens, irritants, and infections.


Treatment
There is no permanent cure for the hereditary form. The management strategies are useful.

  • Effective treatment of the skin manifestation includes urea-based emulsion composed of 10% urea, natural moisturizing factors, and ceramides applied twice a day.
  • Topical retinoids reduce cohesion between epithelial cells, and enhance mitosis and thus suppress keratin synthesis.
  • Alpha-hydroxy acids may help some patients.
  • Mild topical steroids help pruritis.
  • The best approach to improve acquired ichthyosis is to treat the underlying systemic disorder.
  • The patients must avoid exposure to unhygienic ambiances as they are prone to infectious dermatitis.


Symptoms
Symptoms vary from mild xerosis to large adherent scales,White, fine scales with predominant extensor distribution in patients with heterozygous mutations,In homozygous individuals, large, centrally adherent scales on limbs and trunk,Palmoplanar fissuring and hyperkeratosis,Extensive scaling on scalp
Conditions
Overheating,Secondary infection
Drugs
Exfoliating creams and ointments,Prescription creams and ointments containing alpha hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid and glycolic acid,Oral medications

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