Ichthyosis (Fish Scale Disease) - Medtick
Medtick

Ichthyosis (Fish Scale Disease)

What is it?

Dry scaly inflamed (hot, red and swollen) skin condition.

Types of ichthyosis

  • Ichthyosis vulgaris
  • X-linked ichthyosis – only affects males and includes general scaling, particularly over the limbs and trunk (torso)
  • Epidermolytic ichthyosis
  • Ichthyosis Congenita (Congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma) i.e. Peeling skin syndrome
    • This may develop if a baby is born with a shiny yellow membrane (collodion membrane) that sheds within the first week of life.  Once the membrane has shed, one of the following types of ichthyosis can develop:
    • Non-bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma – inflamed scaly skin that affects the entire skin surface
    • Bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma – inflamed scaly skin with fluid-filled blisters that may become infected and produce a foul-smelling skin odour
    • Lamellar ichthyosis – where the skin isn’t as red, but the scales are larger and tighter to the skin
  • Harlequin ichthyosis – this is extremely rare, but the scaling is severe and requires intensive care at birth
  • Lamellar ichthyosis
  • Syndromes that include ichthyosis
  • Acquired ichthyosis

NHS Choices 

Common locations include:

  • Scalp
  • Forehead and cheeks, especially in younger children
  • Back (extensor surfaces) of the arms
  • Back
  • Front (extensor surfaces) of the legs
One needs to moisturise with strong moisturisers regularly up to six times daily

Cause

Syndromes

Acquired ichthyosis tends to develop in adulthood and isn’t inherited:

Medication

  • Nicotinic acid
  • Cimetidine
  • Clofazimine

Symptoms

  • Dry skin?
  • Cracked skin?
  • Rough and fish scale skin?
  • Sparse hair or areas of baldness (alopecia)?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

This condition can lead to:

  • Overheating – as a result of a reduced ability to sweat
  • Limited movement – dry skin can make it too painful to move certain parts of the body
  • Skin infection – after cracking and splitting of the skin
  • Impaired hearing or eyesight – if skin builds up over the ears or eyes

NHS Choices 

This condition may  show similar symptoms to other forms of Ichthyosis:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Ichthyosis (Fish Scale Disease) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

© Medtick - 2025. All Rights Reserved.