What are the early symptoms of ichthyosis?
Disease description:
Today, a friend told me that his skin has become very dry, and he is afraid of having ichthyosis. He said he is going out to buy medicine and asked me if he needs it. I would like to ask, what are the early symptoms of ichthyosis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
The early symptoms of ichthyosis are mainly characterized by dry, rough skin accompanied by rhombic or polygonal scales, giving the appearance of fish scales or snake skin. These scales may be mild, manifesting only as dry skin with slight flaking, or severe, covering most or the entire body surface, with a thickness of 3–8 mm and a color ranging from light brown to dark brown. Patients generally experience no subjective symptoms, although itching is common in winter, and during summer, discomfort due to impaired sweating may occur. Additionally, as the condition progresses, the skin may gradually become harder and thicker, potentially leading to symptoms such as skin inflammation. Therefore, early detection and prompt medical treatment are essential for early-stage ichthyosis to prevent further progression of the disease.
