Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of ichthyosis.
Family history
- Are there any diseases in your family that are common? (Skin diseases, hormonal disorders, metabolic diseases, tumor diseases).
Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).
- Has the condition existed since birth or occurred shortly thereafter, or has it developed over the years?
- What are your symptoms?
- Cornification of the epidermis?
- Scaling of the skin?
- Appearance of the scales as well as size, color, texture.
- Infestation pattern: generalized (affecting the entire body) or localized? At which sites (extensor sides, flexor sides, etc.).
- Erythroderma (redness of the skin)?
- Blistering?
- Eclabium (inversion of the lips to the outside)?
- Ectropion (outward inversion of the lid margin)?
- Collodion membrane (in the newborn)? [hard, closed layer of skin of the newborn, which quickly tears, breaks open and peels off; under the collodion membrane is a very thin, reddened skin, which is later extremely dry and flaky]
- Dry skin?
- Rigidity of the skin?
- Scratches?
- Itching?
- Have you observed seasonal variations in skin changes?
- Do you suffer from growth disorders of hair and/or nails?
- Do you have accompanying symptoms such as neurodermatitis, hay fever?
- Question for parents: were there any complications during birth such as weakness in labor, delayed birth, sectio (cesarean section)?
Self-history
- Pre-existing conditions (hormonal disorders, hypovitaminoses, malnutrition, metabolic disorders (dialysis patient?), tumors (lymphomas and carcinomas)).
- Allergies
Medication history
- Butyrophenone (antipsychotic effect, e.g., for the treatment of schizophrenia).
- Nicotinic acid* (lipid-lowering agent).
* Taken off the market in 2013
