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$Unique_ID{BRK03862}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Ichthyosis Vulgaris}
$Subject{Ichthyosis Vulgaris Disorder of Cornification 1 DOC 1 Ichthyosis
Simplex Vulgaris Type Ichthyosis Vulgaris Type Disorder of Cornification
Ichthyosis Ichthyosis Congenita (Collodion Baby; Congenital Ichthyosiform
Erythroderma; Xeroderma; Desquamation of Newborn) X-Linked Ichthyosis }
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993 National Organization for Rare
Disorders, Inc.
543:
Ichthyosis Vulgaris
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Ichthyosis Vulgaris) is not
the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing on the next page to
find alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Disorder of Cornification 1
DOC 1
Ichthyosis Simplex
Vulgaris Type Ichthyosis
Vulgaris Type Disorder of Cornification
Information on the following disorders can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Ichthyosis
Ichthyosis Congenita (Collodion Baby; Congenital Ichthyosiform
Erythroderma; Xeroderma; Desquamation of Newborn)
X-Linked Ichthyosis
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Ichthyosis Vulgaris is an inherited skin disorder characterized by
cornification of the skin. Scaly or platelike (squamous) skin forms instead
of the normal smooth top layer of the skin. Fine scales usually develop on
the patient's back and over muscles near a joint such as an elbow or a knee
(extensor muscles).
Symptoms
Ichthyosis Vulgaris is a skin disorder which begins during the first year of
life, although it is not usually present at birth. Symptoms in different
patients vary in severity, from mild to severe. A skin allergy or eczema
(atopic dermatitis) may accompany other symptoms in approximately half of
patients with this disorder. All features of this disorder are restricted to
the skin. Unusual marks on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
may be pronounced. These marks may be a sign of mild overdevelopment of the
outer layer of the skin (hyperkeratosis). Scaly or platelike (squamous) skin
appears on the back and over areas of muscle near a joint such as an elbow or
a knee (extensor muscles). The disorder tends to improve with age. Symptoms
can also improve in certain climates or during different seasons of the year.
Causes
Ichthyosis Vulgaris is an inherited disorder transmitted through autosomal
dominant inheritance. (Human traits including the classic genetic diseases,
are the product of the interaction of two genes for that condition, one
received from the father and one from the mother. In dominant disorders, a
single copy of the disease gene (received from either the mother or father)
will be expressed "dominating" the normal gene and resulting in appearance of
the disease. The risk of transmitting the disorder from affected parent to
offspring is 50% for each pregnancy regardless of the sex of the resulting
child.)
Affected Population
Ichthyosis Vulgaris is a fairly common disorder that affects approximately
one out of 250 persons in the United States. Males and females are affected
in equal numbers. There are about 4,000 per million or 1,000,000 persons
with Ichthyosis Vulgaris. 14,924 children are born every year in the United
States with this type of Ichthyosis.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders may be similar to those of Ichthyosis
Vulgaris. Comparisons can be useful for a differential diagnosis:
"Ichthyoses" or "Disorders of Cornification" are general terms describing
a group of scaly skin disorders. They are characterized by an abnormal
accumulation of large amounts of dead cells (squames) in the top layer of the
skin. The conversion of an abnormally large number of epidermal cells into
squamous cells is thought to be caused by a defect in the metabolism of the
skin cells known as "corneocytes" or of the fat-rich matrix around these
cells. The cells can be thought of as bricks, while the matrix would be the
mortar holding these cells together. (For more information choose
"Ichthyosis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Ichthyosis Congenita (Collodion Baby; Congenital Ichthyosiform
Erythroderma; Xeroderma; Desquamation of Newborn) is an inherited skin
disorder. It is characterized by generalized, abnormally red, dry and rough
skin, with large, coarse scales. Itchiness (pruritus) usually also develops.
Skin on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet is abnormally thick.
(For more information, choose "Ichthyosis Congenita" as your search term in
the Rare Disease Database.)
X-Linked Ichthyosis is an inherited skin disorder caused by a deficiency
in the enzyme steroid sulfatase. This enzyme deficiency leads to several
biochemical alterations in steroid hormone metabolism. Cholesterol sulfate
may accumulate in the blood and skin. Corneal opacities are present, but they
do not impair vision. (For more information, choose X-Linked Ichthyosis" as
your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Other forms of Ichthyosis include Sjogren-Larsson Syndrome, Netherton
Syndrome, Ichthyosis Hystrix, Lamellar Ichthyosis, Refsum Syndrome, Darier
Disease, Conradi-Hunermann Syndrome, Chanarin-Dorfman Syndrome, Epidermolytic
Hyperkeratosis, etc. (Search under each name for more information on that
disorder in the Rare Disease Database.)
Therapies: Standard
Ichthyosis Vulgaris is treated by applying skin softening (emollient)
ointments, preferably plain petroleum jelly. This can be especially
effective after bathing while the skin is still moist. Salicylic acid gel is
another particularly effective ointment. The skin should be covered at night
with an airtight, waterproof dressing when this ointment is used. Lactate
lotion can also be an effective treatment for this disorder.
Therapies: Investigational
Drugs derived from Vitamin A (retinoids) such as tretinoin, motretinide, and
etretinate can also be effective against symptoms of Ichthyosis Vulgaris, but
can cause toxic effects on the bones in some cases. A synthetic derivative
of Vitamin A, isotretinoin, when taken by pregnant women, can cause severe
birth defects to the fetus. These Vitamin A compounds have not been approved
by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of Ichthyosis.
The National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases is
looking for patients with various kinds of Ichthyosis willing to participate
in research aimed at mapping the genes responsible for their disorder.
Interested persons may contact:
Dr. Sherri Bale
National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 402-2679
The orphan product Monolaurin (Glylorin) is being tested for treatment of
Ichythyosis Vulgaris. The product is manufactured by:
Cellegy Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
371 Bel Marin Keys, Suite 210
Novato, CA 94949
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
May 1993. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Ichthyosis Vulgaris, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types, Inc. (F.I.R.S.T.)
P.O. Box 20291
Raleigh, NC 27619-0921
(919) 782-5728
(800) 545-3286
The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information
Clearinghouse
Box AMS
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 495-4484
For genetic information and genetic counseling referrals, please contact:
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
(914) 428-7100
Alliance of Genetic Support Groups
35 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 440
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(800) 336-GENE
(301) 652-5553
References
GENETICALLY TRANSMITTED, GENERALIZED DISORDERS OF CORNIFICATION. THE
ICHTHYOSES: M.L. Williams, et al.; Dermatol Clin (January 1987: issue
5(1)). Pp. 155-178.
THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF LACTATE 12% LOTION IN THE TREATMENT OF
ICHTHYOSIS. ACTIVE VERSUS VEHICLE AND ACTIVE VERSUS A PETROLEUM CREAM: M.
Buxman, et al.; Journal Am Acad Dermatol (December 1986: issue 15(6)). Pp.
1253-1258.
THE METABOLIC BASIS OF INHERITED DISEASE, 5th ed.: John B. Stanbury, et
al., eds.; McGraw Hill, 1983. Pp. 1027-1039.