Patient's question:
Main symptoms: Keratotic hard shells on limbsOnset time: Since birth
Laboratory test results: Ichthyosis
Doctor's answer:
Ichthyosis is a common hereditary skin keratosis, formerly known as ichthyosis, and is referred to as "snake skin eczema" in traditional Chinese medicine. It primarily manifests as dry, rough skin on the extensor sides of the limbs or the trunk, accompanied by rhombic or polygonal scales, appearing like fish scales or snake skin. Due to different inheritance patterns, it can be classified as autosomal dominant ichthyosis, X-linked ichthyosis, congenital ichthyosis-like erythroderma, and lamellar ichthyosis.Treatment Principles:
1. Currently, there is no cure. The goal of treatment is to alleviate symptoms, increase the moisture content of the stratum corneum, and promote normal keratinization.
2. Systemic treatment: Vitamin A, 13-cis-retinoic acid, Xueshengling, or methotrexate may be tried.
3. Topical treatment: Use moisturizing agents to increase the moisture content of the stratum corneum and remove excessive keratinized substances, such as urea cream, retinoic acid, and salicylic acid.
4. If there is an infection, topical antibiotics can be applied.
Efficacy Evaluation:
1. Cured: More than 90% of the skin lesions regress.
2. Improved: More than 50% of the skin lesions regress.
3. Unhealed: Less than 30% of the skin lesions regress.
Lifestyle Management:
Cholesterol cream and calcipotriol ointment may not be available in mainland China, but they are available in Taiwan. These are the latest research findings from Japan. If you can obtain them, they can be quite effective in controlling your condition.