pathoscribe

Written by Tiffany Duong | Art by Lily Ozaeta

Millions of conditions worldwide have treatments that are cures to people’s illnesses, however one of many conditions do not. Ichthyosis Vulgaris, in particular, is a unique disease that is also known as “fish scale” disease because the appearance of this hereditary condition on its victims can be easily compared to fish scales. Ichthyosis is a congenital disorder present in the appearance of the skin looking similar to fish scales due to its dry and scaly patterns on the outer skin of a person.  One in two hundred and fifty people living in the United States are affected by this condition, and Ichthyosis Vulgaris is the most common type of Ichthyosis as it has 95% dominance of all cases. As disorders continue to be put in the dark, this article strives to take them out into the light. 

Ichthyosis Vulgaris is a special genetic disorder that operates within a person, it is primarily present in the biology of a person’s genetics. If a person shows signs of Ichthyosis Vulgaris, such as dry skin, itchiness, redness or cracks in the skin, or even scale-like patterns, it is likely that the condition has already attacked their internal genetic system. Like several common disorders, Ichthyosis Vulgaris spreads through gene mutation. It is  most commonly passed down from parent to child. In other cases, it is uncommon for it to be caused by a reaction of medications or medical illnesses such as long-term kidney failure, different variations of cancer, especially lymphoma, sarcoidosis, and infections such as HIV and leprosy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, Ichthyosis Vulgaris produces skin cells at a normal rate, but the condition makes it difficult for the skin to separate at its surface, as they would normally do so. The diagnosis of Ichthyosis Vulgaris occurs during prematurity and is confirmed after birth. From the American Academy of Dermatology, the baby either inherits the genes from either parent or the baby’s genes change within the womb. As a result, the skin has an insufficient amount of filaggrin which is a significant factor for creating a healthy outer skin for the baby once it is born. The dead skin cells do not shed rapidly enough, so they build up, forming the appearance of dry, scaly skin. Although this disease can be passed down from parent to child, the condition is not contiguous to others, this is proven by The Royal Children’s Hospital article. Acquiring Ichthyosis is proven in the article that it is more common in adults and can be triggered by various medications or medical conditions. 

Additionally, the parents of those who inherit the condition don’t need to have it to spread the gene to their children. Unfortunately, the child who inherits the Ichthyosis Vulgaris gene has an inevitable 50% chance of developing the condition. Gene mutation during fetal development is another contribution to Ichthyosis Vulgaris. When the child is deficient in a key protein called “filaggrin”, the body fails to create the outer layer of skin and shed dead skin cells later on. The child appearance in their skin complexion results in a scaly, dry and fish-scale like outer skin, which causes moderate to severe symptoms of pain in Ichthyosis Vulgaris when they grow older. 

Ichthyosis Vulgaris can be recognized as a not only painful, but also chronic disorder despite temporary relieving treatments. The symptoms of Ichthyosis Vulgaris are pain and dry, cracked, rough, and red skin. Furthermore, the condition can affect large parts of the body, including the torso, head, limbs, elbows, shins, scalp, forehead, or the whole body. However, some parts like the elbows and the back of the knees are less affected. The unfortunate case for people living with this condition is that it gets worse as the climate changes. As per the Healthline article, winter climate worsens the symptoms of Ichthyosis Vulgaris due to its dryness and cold. The condition can appear as dry patches on the legs and elbows, in worsen cases, the skin may include white, gray or brown scales, even bumpy skin with extra lines on the hands and feet. The severity of the winter season for Ichthyosis Vulgaris can cause blistered skin, hair loss, and even skin infections. However, in the summer, Ichthyosis Vulgaris symptoms can disappear overtime because of the warm and moist air. 

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Ichthyosis Vulgaris. Children with this condition are more likely to develop a Vitamin deficiency, once the condition is acquired in their immune system. Although the survival rate of Ichthyosis Vulgaris is expected to be a 50% chance for people to live past the age of twenty, many have lived up past twenty. There are sources for treatments to relieve pain and dryness of the skin with creams containing 10% urea, along with ceramides, applying petroleum jelly to help open deep cracks, and taking baths more than once a day. Additionally, sea salt bathing water has proven to be helpful in pain relief, according to the Healthline’s article on Ichthyosis Vulgaris. Finally, applying moisturizer immediately after bathing will help with retaining moisture in the skin and preventing dryness, along with taking oral or skin medications prescribed by a doctor. 

Bringing light to Ichthyosis Vulgaris should be recognized globally to evolve the continued research of this condition, so cures can be developed. As uncertainty and mystery continues to be an ongoing problem in the research faculty, researchers, scientists, and doctors continue to persevere in the face of no possible cure. Articles like the Healthline, ClevelandClinic, and many more strive to fight for health education for diseases and conditions to be acknowledged in the community. As a whole, this article strives to fight the stigma and misconceptions toward this condition and minimize the spread of Ichthyosis Vulgaris.

Works Cited: 

Sethuraman, Gomathy, and Raman K. Marwaha. “Vitamin D, Bone Health and Congenital Ichthyosis.” Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, vol. 82, 1 May 2016, p. 249, ijdvl.com/vitamin-d-bone-health-and-congenital-ichthyosis/, https://doi.org/10.4103/0378-6323.179750. Accessed 21 Jan. 2024.

“Ichthyosis Care | Bathing & Exfoliation | Foundation for Ichthyosis & Related Skin Types(FIRST).” First Skin Foundation, http://www.firstskinfoundation.org/bathing-exfoliation#:~:text=Many%20 patients%20with%20 ichthyosis%2C%20 despite. Accessed 7 July 2024.

“Harlequin Ichthyosis: Survival Rate, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment.” EMedicineHealth, http://www.emedicinehealth.com/what_is_life_expectancy_for_harlequin_ichthyosis/article_em.htm#:~:text=Several%20children%20 with%20 harlequin%20 ichthyosis. Accessed 7 July 2024.

Clinic, Cleveland. “Ichthyosis Vulgaris: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Recovery.” Cleveland Clinic, 2019, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21069-ichthyosis-vulgaris#:~:text=In%20adults%2C%20the%20disease%20is. Accessed 7 July 2024.

Contributors, WebMD Editorial. “What Is Ichthyosis?” WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-is-ichthyosis#:~:text=Dryness%20and%20 scaling%20get%20 worse. Accessed 7 July 2024. 

“Ichthyosis Vulgaris: Pictures, Diagnosis, and Treatment.” http://Www.medicalnewstoday.com, 6 July 2017, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318242#:~:text=Ichthyosis%20 vulgaris%20is%20often%20 called. Accessed 7 July 2024.

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