I. Ichthyosis: a common genetic skin disease 1. How many types of ichthyosis can be classified and what are the common symptoms? Congenital ichthyosis is usually divided into 5 types, including common ichthyosis, X-linked recessive ichthyosis, lamellar ichthyosis, congenital ichthyosis-like erythroderma and epidermolysis bullosa-like hyperkeratosis (also known as herpetic ichthyosis-like erythroderma). In addition, there are acquired ichthyosis and syndromes with ichthyosis manifestations. Common symptoms include dry, rough skin, thickened skin with a high degree of scaling, like fish scales. Sometimes it can be itchy or painful. 2. Is there a high incidence of the disease and how old does it occur? The prevalence of ichthyosis vulgaris is about 1/300 in foreign countries and 2.29% in China. X-linked recessive ichthyosis accounts for about 1/6000 males, and lamellar ichthyosis, congenital ichthyosis-like erythroderma and epidermolysis bullosa are even rarer, accounting for about 1/300,000. Ichthyosis vulgaris is usually present at birth, and the common type may start to manifest at 3-12 months of age. 3. What are the causes of ichthyosis and is the disease contagious? Ichthyosis is a group of hereditary diseases, and the disease is not contagious. 4.Is ichthyosis hereditary and is the probability of the child getting the disease greatly increased if one of the parents has the disease? Ichthyosis is a hereditary disease, and if one of the parents has the disease, the probability of the child having the disease will be greatly increased. For example, common ichthyosis is an autosomal dominant disease, and if one of the parents has the disease, the probability of the child having the disease is 50%, and the probability is equal for both sexes; X-linked recessive ichthyosis is only found in male patients, and the mother is the carrier. 5. Can ichthyosis damage other organs and does it affect life expectancy? Common ichthyosis usually only affects the skin, not other organs, and has no effect on life expectancy. In contrast, X-linked ichthyosis may develop corneal clouding, cryptorchidism, and even testicular tumor. Laminar ichthyosis, ichthyosis-like erythrodermatosis and epidermolysis bullosa hyperkeratosis may have fire glue cotton-like wrapping on the skin at birth, and later may show lid ectropion, lip ectropion and other manifestations, which affect the quality of life. 6. Can this disease be cured? At present, the disease cannot be cured and can only be improved by medication. Which drugs can treat ichthyosis? 1. Is it necessary to use medication once ichthyosis is diagnosed, and can it be improved only by changing the lifestyle? Sometimes the symptoms of ichthyosis vulgaris are very mild, so if there are no obvious symptoms, it may not need to be treated. It can be improved by keeping the skin moisturized. 2. What are the differences in the medication regimen for different types of ichthyosis? For ichthyosis vulgaris, the symptoms are usually mild and can be relieved by topical medication, while for lamellar ichthyosis, ichthyosis erythrodermicans or epidermolysis bullosa hyperkeratosis, the symptoms are usually severe and can be treated with oral retinoids. 3. What topical medications can be used to treat ichthyosis? What is the effect? For ichthyosis, topical medications include allantoin, glycerin, lactic acid, lanolin, emollient cream, etc.; if there are many scales and thick skin, topical keratolytic agents, such as salicylic acid, or retinoic acid, such as tazarotene, retinoic acid cream, etc., and vitamin D3 drugs, such as calcipotriol, can also be used. Symptoms can usually be improved with topical medication. In case of skin infection, mupirocin, polymyxin B cream, etc. can be given. 4. When do I need to treat with oral medication? Which oral medications can be used and which medications are not suitable for minors? Laminar ichthyosis, ichthyosis-like erythroderma or epidermolysis bullosa is usually more severe and can be treated with high-dose vitamin A from birth. In childhood and adulthood, avidin or isotretinoin may be administered. In case of skin infection, oral antibiotics can be given. 5.When can I stop taking the medication? What is the effect of not taking the medication according to the treatment schedule on the treatment? Ichthyosis is treated with oral retinoic acid. Long-term medication is recommended, and relapse can occur after discontinuation. 6. Is ichthyosis prone to recurrence, and what season is it prone to recurrence? There is no specific medicine for ichthyosis, and at present, it can only improve the symptoms by medication, and it is easy to relapse after stopping medication. Ichthyosis usually worsens in winter (dry season) and improves in summer. 7. Do I still use the same treatment plan after relapse? The same treatment plan can be used after a relapse. 8. Do I need to use hormones to treat ichthyosis? No, hormones are not needed to treat ichthyosis. 9. Is there any physical therapy applicable to the treatment of ichthyosis? Frequent bathing can reduce dry skin, salt bath or oatmeal bath can reduce scales, and moisturizing cream must be used after bathing. Avoid hot air conditioning or heating equipment and exposure to the sun.