Ichthyosis VulgarisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Ichthyosis Vulgaris
Ichthyosis vulgaris is a skin disorder passed down through families that leads to dry, scaly skin.
Common ichthyosis
Ichthyosis vulgaris is one of the most common inherited skin disorders. It may begin in early childhood. The condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. That means if you have the condition, your child has a 50% chance of getting the gene from you.
The condition is often more noticeable in the winter. It may occur along with other skin problems including atopic dermatitis, asthma, keratosis pilaris (small bumps on the back of the arms and legs), or other skin disorders.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Dry skin, severe
- Scaly skin (scales)
- Possible skin thickening
- Mild itching of the skin
The dry, scaly skin is usually most severe on the legs. But it can also involve the arms, hands, and middle of the body. People with this condition may also have many fine lines on their palms.
In infants, the skin changes usually appear in the first year of life. Early on, the skin is only slightly rough, but by the time a baby is about 3 months old, they begin appearing on the shins and back of the arms.
Your provider may ask you to use heavy-duty moisturizers. Creams and ointments work better than lotions. Apply these to moist skin immediately after bathing. You should use mild, non-drying soaps.
Your provider may tell you to use hydrating-moisturizing creams that contain keratolytic chemicals such as lactic acid, salicylic acid, and urea. These chemicals help skin shed normally while retaining moisture.
Verena Martinz-Moosbrugger practices practicing medicine in Innsbruck, Austria. Ms. Martinz-Moosbrugger is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Ichthyosis Vulgaris. She is also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Ichthyosis Vulgaris, Netherton Syndrome, Keratosis Follicularis Spinulosa Decalvans, and Darier Disease.
M Health Fairview Pediatric Specialty Clinic Woodbury
Ingrid Polcari is a Pediatrics provider practicing medicine in Woodbury, Minnesota. Dr. Polcari is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ichthyosis Vulgaris. She is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Ichthyosis Vulgaris, Sunburn, Vascular Birthmark, and Lamellar Ichthyosis. Dr. Polcari is board certified in Pediatric Dermatology: American Board Of Dermatology, 2012 and Dermatology: American Board Of Dermatology, 2011. Dr. Polcari is currently accepting new patients.
University Of Virginia Physicians Group
Mary-margaret Noland is a Dermatologist practicing medicine in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dr. Noland is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ichthyosis Vulgaris. She is also highly rated in 22 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Sunburn, Actinic Keratosis, Bullous Pemphigoid, and Warts. Dr. Noland is currently accepting new patients.
Ichthyosis vulgaris can be bothersome, but it rarely affects your overall health. The condition usually disappears during adulthood but may return years later as people age.
A bacterial skin infection may develop if scratching causes openings in the skin.
Contact your provider if:
- Symptoms continue despite treatment
- Symptoms get worse
- Skin lesions spread
- New symptoms develop
Published Date: April 01, 2025
Published By: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
American Academy of Dermatology Association website. Ichthyosis vulgaris overview. www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/ichthyosis-vulgaris-overview. Accessed July 5, 2025.
James WD. Eczema, atopic dermatitis, and noninfectious immunodeficiency disorders. In: James WD, ed. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 5.
Martin KL. Disorders of keratinization. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 699.
Richard G. Ichthyoses, erythrokeratodermas, and related disorders. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 57.