I was interested in this organization to find out if my skin issues were related to ichthyosis. I was born with very dry scaly skin. At that time, doctors just told my mother to bathe me in olive oil! As I got older, my heels and knuckles would bleed in cold weather. Other children wouldn’t hold my hand because they were so rough. Fortunately, I did not suffer any other physical symptoms. I was more self-conscious in teenage and adult life and I only heard the word ‘ichthyosis’ whilst visiting my doctor on another matter at about age 30. I My brother did not have the issue, but my sister did. I also found that various cousins had it so it had been passed down from my mother’s side of the family, though she did not have it. One of my two sons has it, again only mildly. In any case it’s not such an issue with males in our family! Some of the next generation also have it in an even milder form, so I am hoping that it will disappear in time. Although I regret not having nice hands, nails, as well having crepey skin, I have huge sympathy, and empathy for those who have the more severe forms. I have followed the various documented cases in the media and hope that one day there will be a cure for the full-blown form of the disease. What causes it, how did it originate, and why are there so many strains.

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Neither FIRST, its Board of Directors, Medical & Scientific Advisory Board, Board of Medical Editors, nor Foundation staff and officals endorse any treatments listed here.  All issues pertaining to the care of patients with ichthyosis should be discussed with a dermatologist experienced in the treatment of their skin disorder.