Ichthyosis: Therapy

General measures

Permanent use of ointments and baths to hydrate and nourish the skin.
Therapeutic shampoos should be left on the scalp for 5-10 minutes. In mild cases, shampoos with 5% urea pura are sufficient for keratolysis.
For the care of the facial skin with existing ectropion (outward protrusion of the eyelid margin) are suitable glycerin-containing or low-dose keratolytics (urea pur to max. 3 %). Also additives such as Panthenolum 5% or vitamins E 5% have proven themselves.
In patients with epidermolytic ichthyosis or Comél-Netherton syndrome, bandages are also used.
If hyperthermia (overheating) occurs due to reduced sweating ability, internal cooling by cold drinks and ice cream and external cooling is necessary to avoid heat exhaustion.
Since the sun, warm and humid climate and salt water have a beneficial effect on ichthyosis skin, stays by the sea are recommended.
With regard to the choice of profession, the sensitive skin must be taken into account.

Mechanical keratolysis (removal of keratinization and scales).
- Following the bath or pre-treatment in the steam bath.
- Suitable tools are pumice stones, other artificial stones, special silk cloths, washing gloves (available in different levels of roughness). For sensitive areas, microfiber cloths are recommended.
- Depending on the findings, the scraping is done once a day to once a week.
- Indications: If ichthyosis vulgaris is associated with atopic dermatitis, mechanical keratolysis must be suspended until the acute eczema heals.

The following vaccinations are advised, as infection can often lead to worsening of the present disease:

Balneotherapy (bath therapy) to cleanse, hydrate the top layer of skin and soften keratoses (cornifications)
- One to several times a day, 10-20 minutes each time.
- The softened cornification can be removed more easily mechanically following the bath, because the scales are loosened.
- In addition, ointment residues are removed.
- For lamellar ichthyosis, a pre-treatment to the bath in a temperature-regulated steam bath or steam shower is recommended for intensive hydration (duration: 5-15 minutes). Cave: must be considered the tendency to overheat due to the reduced sweating ability in ichthyosis!
- Bath additives can be used, such as bath oil, table salt or salt from the Dead Sea. On the one hand, the salt softens the skin and on the other hand, it binds water. Recommended salt concentration: 1-8 %; for children max. 3-4 %. Cave: At the beginning, a burning sensation may be felt on the skin, but this will subside after a short period of acclimation. If this is not the case, the addition of salt must be abandoned.What is ultimately taken depends on whether a re-fatting of the skin or keratolysis is in the foreground.
If necessary, regular occupational therapy and physiotherapy – due to the rigidity (rigidity) of the skin, the joints are limited in their mobility.

Advisable for more pronounced forms of ichthyosis.
Detailed information on psychosomatics (including stress management) can be obtained from us.