What are the common symptoms of ichthyosis?
Disease description:
The body develops a lot of scales during winter, and I'm worried it might be ichthyosis. I would like to know what are the common symptoms of ichthyosis?
Ichthyosis is a common hereditary skin disease, whose main symptoms include:
1. Abnormal skin appearance: The skin appears dry and rough, accompanied by diamond-shaped or polygonal scales resembling fish scales or snake skin, most notably on the front of the lower legs. The extensor sides of the limbs (such as the outer arms and thighs) are more severely affected than the flexor sides (such as the inner arms and thighs).
2. Skin flaking: The shed scales are generally white, and their thickness and color vary depending on the severity of the condition. In severe cases, there may be bran-like scales with thickness reaching 3-8 millimeters.
3. Skin keratinization: Some patients also develop follicular keratotic papules, generally found on the extensor surfaces of the upper arms and thighs. In severe cases, these papules may merge into patches, resembling a rasp. Additionally, the skin on the palms and soles may become rough, forming thick keratotic plaques that are prone to cracking and causing pain in dry environments.
4. Seasonal variation: Symptoms of ichthyosis may worsen during winter and are often accompanied by itching, while patients may feel discomfort in summer due to difficulty sweating.