Ichthyosis is a hereditary skin disease that occurs as a dermatosis. A manifestation of ichthyosis are scales on the skin that resemble fish scales. The main cause of ichthyosis is a gene mutation, but the biochemistry that is inherited has not yet been deciphered. The most common form of ichthyosis is ichthyosis vulgaris, which occurs before the age of three. With the development of ichthyosis, other organs are affected. Find out the main clinical manifestations and methods of treatment of ichthyosis at estet-portal.com.
Clinical manifestations of ichthyosis. Damage to organs and systems in ichthyosis
First, the skin becomes dry and rough, then whitish or gray-black scales closely adhering to each other appear on it. With ichthyosis, the areas of the popliteal fossae, elbows, armpits, and the inguinal zone are not affected.
The skin on the palms is flaky, and the skin pattern becomes more pronounced. The severity of the course of this skin disease depends on how deep the gene mutation is. Find out more about the prognosis for ichthyosis at estet-portal.com. In the case of an abortive course, the only manifestation of ichthyosis will be dryness and slight peeling of the skin on the extensor surfaces.
In ichthyosis of the skin, other organs are also affected:
- Nails exfoliate and break off easily, hair becomes dry and brittle, multiple caries appears.
- Often this disease can be accompanied by eye damage - retinitis and chronic conjunctivitis.
- Patients diagnosed with ichthyosis are genetically predisposed to myopia, which begins to manifest itself in childhood.
- Due to reduced immunity, patients are constantly faced with allergic diseases and purulent infections.
- Later, problems with internal organs join everything - liver diseases, cardiovascular insufficiency and others.
Features of the development of recessive ichthyosis. Forecast for life
Recessive ichthyosis affects only men. A two-week-old baby has clinical manifestations of the disease: horny skin layers in the form of large dense black-brown scales. The areas of skin between the scales are covered with cracks, for this reason, the skin looks like snake or crocodile skin. In addition, among children with recessive ichthyosis, epilepsy, mental retardation and anomalies in the structure of the skeleton are quite common.
The development of congenital ichthyosis occurs at 4-5 months of fetal development. The baby is born with skin covered with thick, greyish-black horny scutes.
There is a chance that a child with this disease will be born with a congenital anomaly of the skeleton - clubfoot or clubhand.
Due to the presence of life-threatening anomalies, most children with congenital ichthyosis survive only a couple of days.
The main methods of treatment and prevention of ichthyosis
A dermatologist prescribes vitamins A, E, B, C and nicotinic acid in large doses to a patient. Preparations containing lipamide and vitamin U are prescribed, which have a lipotropic effect and soften scales.
In order to stimulate the immune system, blood plasma transfusions, gamma globulin, as well as preparations containing iron and calcium, aloe extract are used for ichthyosis.
Hormone therapy for ichthyosis is prescribed if the case is rather severe, or in case of congenital ichthyosis. In the presence of eversion of the eyelids, an oily solution of retinol acetate is instilled into the eyes. After the condition returns to normal, the dose of hormonal drugs is slowly reduced until completely canceled. Blood tests should be carried out during remissions in order to monitor the patient's condition and prevent the development of complications. A nursing mother should take vitamins similar to those taken by a child with ichthyosis.
During local therapy, patients are prescribed general baths containing a solution of potassium permanganate, as well as the use of a baby cream, to which vitamin A is added. If the patient is an adult, he is shown starch and salt, local and general baths.
The main prevention of ichthyosis is pre-pregnancy counseling in order to determine the degree of genetic risk. If ichthyosis is detected in the fetus after an analysis of the amniotic fluid, it is recommended to terminate the pregnancy.
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