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Make this my homepageIchthyosis
Ichthyosis is skin disorder typified by a continual scaling of the skin. It is quite rare and can either be inherited (genetic or congenital) or develop later in life (acquired). Inherited forms of ichthyosis are usually apparent around birth and tend to persist throughout life, although many types improve with age.
The scaling of ichthyosis affects most of the skin and is fairly consistent, unlike other skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis where only patches of the skin are affected in frequently-changing areas.
The most common form is ichthyosis vulgaris. This is usually fairly mild, with fine scaling or roughness on the arms and legs. It is more common in people with atopic eczema and improves during the summer when the weather is warmer.
The rarer types of inherited ichthyosis can also cause red inflamed skin and one form produces blistering of the skin in babies.
Sources
http://www.ichthyosis.org.uk/condition.aspx (last accessed May 2010)
http://www.ichthyosis.com/Show_n_Tell.htm#What_is_Ichthyosis (last accessed May 2010)
