Ichthyosis vulgaris

Inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, ichthyosis vulgaris becomes apparent within the first year of life.
The skin shows retained sheets of keratin.
There is often an associated follicular plugging. Flexures are relatively spared.
Although once thought to be strongly related to atopic dermatitis, the xerosis associated with atopic dermatitis is distinct from the true ichthyosis seen in ichthyosis vulgaris.

Treatment:

• Keratolytics such as salicylic acid (care not to produce salicylate intoxication)
• Urea
• Alphahydroxy acids (lactic acid and propylene glycol combined)
• Topical retinoids
• tazarotene
• tretinoin
• Topical vitamin D
• Calcipotriol – this can be used as cream or ointment

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