The skin on my legs is like fish scales

Some people find that the skin on their legs is as ugly as fish scales, and they dare not expose it especially in summer. What is going on? This could be ichthyosis, a type of skin disease that comes in many types. It's especially severe in the cold winter months, but gets better in the summer. Most ichthyosis cases are not serious and only require medical treatment. But once the condition gets worse, it may even be life-threatening, so don't take it lightly.

1. People's skin varies greatly. Some people are born with good skin, which is smooth, delicate and shiny. But some people's skin is extremely rough and looks uncomfortable. I have seen all kinds of skin and it is different from what ordinary people think. People whose skin looks very white do not necessarily have good skin. Those who look dark feel very comfortable to the touch. Black people's skin is very delicate, I have personally experienced this. I have seen many patients whose skin looked very good, white and soft when they were young. But when I was in my forties, I started to develop spots, age spots, chloasma, and all kinds of spots.

Ichthyosis is a very common disease and a hereditary disease. This disease often occurs in children. Its clinical manifestations are dry and rough skin on the extensor side of the limbs or trunk, accompanied by diamond-shaped or polygonal scales, which look like fish scales or snake skin, so it is called ichthyosis. This disease is characterized by worsening in cold and dry seasons and improving in warm and humid seasons.

2. There are many types of ichthyosis, including common ichthyosis, sex-linked recessive ichthyosis, lamellar ichthyosis, epidermolytic hyperkeratotic ichthyosis, congenital non-bullous ichthyosis-like erythroderma, and tortuous linear ichthyosis. There are three major types of ichthyosis: congenital ichthyosis, acquired ichthyosis, and ichthyosis-related syndrome. These classifications are based on manifestations and pathology, so the distinction can be seen. The most common clinical type is ichthyosis vulgaris.

3. This disease is difficult to treat. It usually occurs in childhood and will improve as the patient grows older, but it is difficult to cure. Most ichthyosis do not affect work or life, but some ichthyosis are accompanied by serious systemic diseases. For example, colloid baby is a more serious type of ichthyosis, but it is also rare and usually occurs after birth; acquired ichthyosis occurs on the basis of some underlying diseases, such as lymphoma, lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, etc.; some ichthyosis is accompanied by related syndromes, such as keratitis-deafness-ichthyosis syndrome, ichthyosis idiot with ataxia, etc.

4. Severe ichthyosis can affect life, but it is difficult to treat no matter what kind of treatment it is. In many cases, you can only treat the symptoms. If you feel your skin is dry, you can apply some oil externally. The method is: when taking a shower, before the water dries up, apply olive oil or other oil to the affected area and rub it to allow the skin to absorb it. Then rinse the oil off with water, it feels good. When taking a shower, be careful not to use water that is too hot. The weather is dry in winter, so you may consider living in a warmer place.