#Get rid of eczema psoriasis and Ichthyosis

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Ichthyosis Vulgaris – Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

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Ichthyosis Vulgaris – Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

Ramona Sinha March 14, 2019

Ichthyosis vulgaris is a very common skin condition. Also known as “fish scale” disease, this is a condition in which your skin becomes so parched that it develops fish-like scales. Currently, though there is no cure for this condition, its symptoms can be managed. In this article, we have discussed everything that you need to know about this skin condition. Read on!

Table Of Contents

What Is Ichthyosis Vulgaris?

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Ichthyosis vulgaris is the most common type of ichthyosis (Ick-thee-O-sis), a group of diseases that make your skin dry and scaly. In this condition, your skin looks like it has developed fish scales. There are about 20 different types of ichthyosis, and ichthyosis vulgaris is the mildest of them all.

Ichthyosis vulgaris remains confined to just one specific area of your body. However, in very rare cases, it can spread and cover large areas of your body, such as your legs, arms, chest, and abdomen. This condition often develops during childhood. Children inherit the genes causing this condition from their parents (either one or both the parents). However, it is not necessary that the parents show symptoms of this condition or have the disease to pass on its genes. This is known as inherited ichthyosis vulgaris.

It is very rare for adults to develop this condition. However, they can acquire this disease. For instance, you may develop ichthyosis vulgaris as a result of the side effects of certain medications. This is known as acquired ichthyosis vulgaris. Certain health conditions – like HIV, kidney failure, and some cancers – may also cause this condition.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 95% of people who have ichthyosis develop ichthyosis vulgaris as opposed to any other form of the disease. This condition can be so mild that often people mistake it for extremely dry or dehydrated skin (1). That is the reason it usually goes undiagnosed.

Now, let’s explore the causes of this condition in detail.

What Are The Causes Of Ichthyosis Vulgaris?

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As mentioned earlier in the article, you can either inherit or acquire ichthyosis vulgaris.

Causes Of Inherited Ichthyosis Vulgaris

This is caused by changes or mutation in your genes. Your genes are like codes that instruct your body to produce specific proteins and decide how your body is going to function. You can inherit this condition when there is any mutation in the gene that is responsible for encoding a protein called filaggrin.

This protein helps in developing the natural barrier of your skin. In the absence of this natural barrier, your skin cannot lock in moisture and maintain a steady pH balance. With chronic dehydration, your skin cells start to thicken and turn hard. That is when its surface becomes scaly.

A majority of the ichthyosis vulgaris cases are inherited. Those who have just a single copy of the aforementioned gene experience mild symptoms while those who get two copies of the gene (from both the parents) experience severe symptoms. However, some people have the gene mutation but still don’t experience any symptoms. These people are “carriers” who later pass on the gene to their children.

Causes Of Acquired Ichthyosis Vulgaris

Usually, adults acquire this condition. The exact cause of this type of ichthyosis vulgaris is still unknown to doctors.

People often acquire this condition from another health condition they might have. These include:

Kidney issues

Liver failure

HIV infection

Underactive thyroid gland

Cancer (especially Hodgkin’s lymphoma)

Sarcoidosis (a condition that causes patches of inflammation inside your body)

Ichthyosis vulgaris may also develop as a side effect of certain medications you might be taking. These includes

Nicotinic acid (used for managing high cholesterol levels)

Cancer medications such as vemurafenib, hydroxyurea, and protease inhibitors

Medicines containing kava

Apart from that, ichthyosis vulgaris may also co-occur with other skin conditions that you might have, such as:

Atopic dermatitis (also known as eczema)

Keratosis pilaris

It is not that difficult to identify ichthyosis vulgaris by its symptoms. Here’s what you need to look out for.

What Are The Symptoms Of Ichthyosis Vulgaris?

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Ichthyosis vulgaris makes your skin extremely dry, flaky, and scaly. It is characterized by the excessive build-up of keratin on the uppermost layer of your skin, which leads to the slowing down of your body’s natural shedding process. Symptoms of ichthyosis vulgaris include:

Extremely dry and flaky skin

Itchiness

Tile-like scales on your skin

Gray, brown, or white scales

Thick and hard skin

Deep and painful cracks on your skin

The most common parts of the body where the symptoms appear are:

Scalp

Torso

Face (especially cheeks and forehead)

Elbows and shins

If it is inherited, you will not see any symptoms until the infant is at least two months old. Scaling of the skin can cause extreme discomfort. The severity of the condition increases with age and intensifies during puberty (if it is inherited). If you think you have this condition, it is better to consult a dermatologist for further diagnosis and to manage the symptoms. Here’s what you need to know about the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Ichthyosis Vulgaris: Diagnosis And Treatment

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A dermatologist can diagnose the condition just by taking a look at your skin condition. However, they may also:

Inquire about your family history of skin issues

Ask at what age you first experienced the symptoms

Ask whether you have any other skin condition(s)

Take note of the areas where the patches of dry skin have appeared

Perform blood tests and skin biopsy

These steps will help the doctor chalk out an effective treatment plan to manage the symptoms and rule out the possibility of any other skin conditions with similar symptoms (such as psoriasis).

Unfortunately, this condition cannot be fully treated. However, the doctor will prescribe medicines and ointments to manage the symptoms and get rid of the dead skin cells and inflammation.

They may prescribe ointments and creams that contain:

Lanolin

Urea

Propylene glycol

Alpha hydroxy acids

Retinoids

Taking measures to retain the moisture levels of your skin also helps in managing the symptoms. You can try the following methods to reduce scaling, dryness, and inflammation:

Soak the affected area in bath salts or regular salt mixed with water.

Soak the affected area in lukewarm water for a few minutes and then gently rub it with a pumice stone to exfoliate.

After taking a shower, apply a generous amount of a moisturizer containing salicylic acid, urea, or AHAs on the affected area.

If you have scaling on the scalp, gently brush your scalp to remove the flaky skin.

If the symptoms are severe, use oral medications. Oral vitamin A pills can help reduce the scaling.

Always use body lotions and skin products that have a high-fat content.

Also, you must also keep the following things in mind to reduce the chances of aggravating the condition:

Avoid cold and dry environments and air (be extra careful during winters).

Take short showers.

Apply moisturizer immediately after a shower.

Avoid air-conditioned rooms.

Use a humidifier at home.

Avoid exposing your skin to cold winds.

Use sunscreen whenever you go out.

Avoid artificial tanning.

Stay away from swimming pools as the water may contain chemicals and chlorine that might irritate your skin.

Managing the symptoms of ichthyosis vulgaris can be challenging, considering the restrictions and lifestyle changes that you may have to follow. The most important thing you need to be mindful of is your personal care. Talk to your doctor, follow these tips, and make them a part of your daily routine. That’s the only way to lead a healthy and normal life with this condition.

Do you have any more questions about this skin condition? Or do you have any tips that have helped you manage its symptoms? Comment below to let us know.

References

“Ichthyosis Vulgaris…” American Academy of Dermatology.

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[iloveshowpo]

Winter is all fun and games until your skin literally starts cracking and flaking off like it’s no one’s business. Cute huh.

Your legs are scaly and spiky like a fish that’s been on land for too long, drying out in the sun. Your face is sporting fine lines (which stem from dehydration) that you didn’t know you had and no amount of makeup can fix the sitch as it just exacerbates the bastards.  Your lips feel like you’ve been in a desert, your split ends are next level and your knuckles on your hands hurt because the skin is so dry… welcome to an Australian winter y’all!

  Except it doesn’t really snow. 

  Part of the problem is that the best parts about winter actually traumatise your skin further, which you know, is just swell.   Think toasty fires, warm offices with the AC on and steamy long showers; yup, they’re all making your skin dry AF.

Now, rather than going and purchasing all of the products that promise healthy skin, I have listed below the best saviours for your skin sins below as I am pretty sure I’ve tried every dang thing on the market.

You know how you sometimes notice how good someone’s ‘body skin’ is? Like, not the face skin, but a really smooth back or soft looking cleavage (cos’ THAT doesn’t sound creepy). Please tell me I’m not alone in thinking some gals have nice ‘body skin’…

Anyway, you need to make sure you’re exfoliating on the reg so you slough off all the dry skin and product build-up – so the fresh skin has a chance to make an appearance!

Use the Arbonne Rescue & Renew Detox Scrub 1-2 times per week to cleanse pores of excess oil and yucky old skin to reveal radiant, brighter- looking skin. It smells so relaxing and contains coriander seed oil and avocado oil, which support the skin’s natural moisture barrier (i.e doesn’t dry it TF out). AU RRP is $69 and it can be purchased here.

If you’re in training beast mode, try the Cedar & Stone Bodyscrub when you’re feeling sore. It’s super high in magnesium, which helps relieve joint pain, headaches, relaxes muscles and improves blood circulation. Buy for AU RRP $19.95 right here.

If you’re not dry body brushing yet, you need to sort your shit out. The Body Shop Cactus is a long-handled wooden brush with soft cactus bristles to massage and exfoliates the skin, removing all the feral dead skin cells that just set up camp on your skin. Use on dry skin to enhance circulation and this technique is sworn to help with cellulite by celebs. Fetch one for AU $19 here.

Touching someone’s dry, papery mitts is on par with nails on a blackboard (millennials, you’ll never understand the horror of this). Unless you live in gloves all season, your poor little hands are going to be exposed to the low temps of the reg, so keep them hydrated!

  I used to work for L’OCCITANE and the Shea Intense Hand Balm is one of the products I will forever repurchase. It is SO soothing and nourishing with a 25% pure shea butter formula. The thick cream absorbs easily though and doesn’t leave a gross greasy residue. The 150ml tube at AU $46 will last you yonks.

My other fave hand cream is the Weleda Skin Food. It’s also super thick and hydrating, formulated with 100% natural ingredients. Pop some on before you leave the house and it will actually protect your mitts. AU $21.95 for a handbag friendly 75ml tube.

Once upon a time, we used to look at our mum’s cracked heels and shudder with disgust, thinking ‘that will never happen to me’. Well it happens to everyone and it ain’t a good look.

I beg you to use the Milky Foot Intense Exfoliation Pads in the middle of winter, when the only time your feet come out to play is when you’re bathing them. Cos this shit REALLY works so for about a week you’ll be shedding like a snake. Basically, it’s an at-home pedicure treatment, which removes hardened skin through its intense peeling action after just one application. But the peeling continues for about a week so keep socks on please. AU $29.95, available here.

After the shedding has stopped, rub L’OCCITANE Organic Shea Butter into your heels on a daily basis to keep them smooth. AU $52.00, can be found online.

When your skin is dry or dehydrated, makeup will only sit on that dry skin, making it look worse. But a few changes in your skin care regime will have your skin looking more hydrated in no time.

First things first, if you have a foaming cleanser, GET RID OF IT NOW. It’s only going to dry your skin out further. Opt for an oil based cleanser like the Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Nourishing Cleansing Oil, as it removes all your makeup and dirt, without stripping away all the natural oils on your skin. I have acne-prone skin and it doesn’t exacerbate them in the slightest, it just leaves my skin really glowing and ups the hydration levels tenfold. AU $50 from Jurlique.

I’m now going to recommend pressing 100% Natural Australian Jojoba Oil (can you guess I like oils) into your complexion for optimal hydration. It will change your life I promise. AU $29.95 here.

Note: If you’re older, try rosehip oil (A’Kin does a spectacular one), as it’s richer and will work better for your skin. 

When my skin is feeling SUPER dry, I love using the GLAMGLOW ThirstyMud Hydrating Treatment. I smooth it onto my skin and if it all absorbs within 30mins, I know my skin was crying out for some hydration. I generally go to sleep with it on and then just wash away any excess (there never really is any) in the AM. Available at MECCA for AU $98.

Is your complexion weirdly textured? Are your blackheads out of control? Can you feel bumps under your skin? Baby G, you need to exfoliate! But not in the traditional sense. Physical exfoliants (grainy ones that make you feel like you’re really getting shit out of your pores) can actually damage your skin as it’s so delicate on your face. The little grains can actually cause teeny tiny little abrasions that aren’t visible to the naked eye but weaken the structure of the skin. So get on the chemical exfoliate bandwagon. Not as scary as they sound, they basically just use low dose acids to clear up congestion and remove all the crap on the top layer of your skin, leaving fresh AF skin underneath.

Use the Alpha-H Beauty Sleep Power Peel 2 nights per week for clinical exfoliation and skin renewal while you rest your pretty head. The formula contains 14% glycolic acid and fruit enzymes to clear a pathway for the deeper penetration of 0.5% retinol, which stimulates the production of new cells and creates firmer, healthier skin, while reducing scarring, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, acne breakouts, and wrinkles. You can buy it here for AU $129.95.

The Peter Thomas Roth AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel isn’t just good for getting rid of acne, it’s also just a great chemical exfoliant for congestion and fine lines. Pop a light layer on under your moisturiser at night and marvel at the change in your skin. This has been a must in my beauty arsenal for 3 years now, and I don’t plan on stopping! AU $56 from MECCA.

If your skin is still feeling textured on the reg, start using the HydroPeptide® 5 x Power Peel Pads, they’re designed to resurface, clarify, brighten and smooth your skin. And they bloody well work a dang treat. AU $99 (for a tub of pads) here.

  If your pout is the furthest thing from kissable, you need to sort your shit out. Start swiping one of these bad boys on for soft and smooth lips. Pucker up!

You don’t need a rundown on what lip balm does, they all do the same thing, some are just better than others! These 3 are the best; Blistex® Lip Conditioner SPF 15 (AU $4.95 from any pharmacy), NIVEA Lip Butter Coconut (AU $4.99 from any pharmacy), and Sisley Paris Nutritive Lip Balm (AU $85 so don’t buy it unless you want to commit yourself to a life where you spend that much on lip balm as it’s so amazing).

Cold and dry temps are the WORST for people who suffer from skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis or just super sensitive skin. So make sure you’re not using anything too harsh.

Put down the soap and body wash and pick up the QV Bath Oil. Whilst hydrating the skin, the oil works as a water dispersible formula over the whole body to ensure the clear non-greasy formula rejuvenates and cleans large areas of dry skin. It helps relieve symptoms of atopic eczema and psoriasis, and is suitable for use with dry dermatological conditions such dry, scaly skin, winter itch, ichthyosis, xerosis, dermatitis. AU $15.99 from pharmacies.

Use a gentle moisturiser after showering, like the La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+, which is a lipid-replenishing balm for very dry, irritated skin prone to itching. It’s so good when you’re feeling really uncomfortable as it instantly relieves symptoms after you rub it into the affected area/s. AU $24.95, available here.

If your skin can tolerate oils (here I go with the oils again), I urge you to bring the JERGENS Shea Beauty Oil into your life. It’s super gentle and nourishing, plus it leaves a gorgeous glowing sheen over your rig.

  Don’t forget about your locks! Hot showers blasting on your wee head are not ideal for split ends and frizziness. TIP: Blast your strands with cold water to seal the moisture in prior to getting out. It’s cold but worth it.

  Essano Coconut Milk Hydrating Leave-in Conditioner should be popped in the ends of your hair after each and every wash. It softens your hair and makes it easier (not as knotty) to dry. AU $15.99, available at most pharmacies.

You should also be using a weekly hair mask (no more or the product will build up creating lank hair) that brings your hair back from the depths of freezing cold despair. Try the Keune CARE Vital Nutrition Mask and you’ll be awed at how silky your locks are. I like to use it on a Sunday night so I have time to pop my head in cling wrap so it stays moist and keeps penetrating the strands for an hour or so. You can get 500ml for AU $68.95 here.

  HAPPY HYDRATION! 

Words by Kelly McCarren. 

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  HALP! My Skin Is Sh*t! Winter is all fun and games until your skin literally starts cracking and flaking off like it's no one's business.