Skin Care Tips

Ichthyosis is different from person to person. Two people with the same type of ichthyosis may have different expressions of the condition and response to the similar treatments may vary as well. What works well for one person may not work well for another. For example, a lotion that works wonderfully for someone may be ineffective or harmful for your child. Consult with your dermatologist and pediatrician for updated information. Also make a good connection with local pharmacist who will keep you informed about new products, place special orders or offer discounts. In course of time, you will be a master of taking care of yourself or your child. You can also develop homemade lotion recipe by consulting with doctors & patient support groups.

(Create sections for each activity.

Must have items :


  1. Before Shower.

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Why its important.

What steps to take, important steps to be bold and big

What options are there local and home made

What to do if any side effects are there

Need more info : reach out to :

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  1. During Shower

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Why its important.

What steps to take, important steps to be bold and big

What options are there local and home made ( links, names of some products, who should not use it , any special instructions

What to do if any side effects are there

Need more info : reach out to :

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  1. After Shower

  2. During the day

  3. Winter care

  4. Summer care

  5. For child care

  6. For Adults

  7. Clothing tips

  8. Special condition and take tips

Sports, special things to avoid in meals etc.

  1. Travelling tips and things to carry.

Medicines, lotions, clothes, special first aid things etc .


  • Products containing glycerine, urea, alpha-hydroxy acid, ceramide, vitamin E, petroleum jelly, paraffin (light liquid or white soft), olive oil (plain or extra virgin), coconut oil, jojoba oil, mustard oil seem to help individuals with ichthyosis. Some people get relief from pure lanolin, which is easier to spread when mixed with water. Some products containing these ingredients are available by prescription, although many over-the-counter products contain them as well. You can also place special orders to a good pharmacist nearby. You can make your own moisture mixture: Petroleum Jelly + Urea 10%- 20% + Soft Paraffin + Glycerin (small amount)

  • Applying lotion and creams to wet skin works better than putting them on dry skin. The lotion traps the moisture. Putting glycerin on wet skin prior to applying lotion also works good as the lotion stays longer.

  • Try adding a few ounces of pure glycerin or vegetable glycerin to your cream or lotion, and the skin will stay moist longer. Glycerin bought by the gallon is less expensive than smaller bottles.

  • After you buy a new cream or lotion, give it a reasonable trial. Sometimes a product needs to be used for two or three weeks before results are noticeable. It is safe to test the cream or lotion on a limited area of skin, like an arm or a leg. If it’s effective, doesn’t cause the skin to blister, itch, peel, or dry out then apply on whole body.

  • Alpha-hydroxy acid products may sting or cause mild irritation in small children, so it is wise to talk to doctors prior application. Avoid applying these to areas where the skin is raw. Petroleum jelly works good on cracked skin.

  • Avoid heavily perfumed products as those can cause skin irritation. Instead, a few drops of an essential oil to a cream can do wonders for the smell.

  • In cold seasons, you can put warmed cream or lotion on your child’s skin. Try rubbing a scoop full between your hands before applying the cream or lotion or try putting the tightly closed container in the warm bath water while you bathe him or her; the lotion will be warm when the bath is done.

  • A pumice stone rubbed lightly on thickened skin may help loosen crust. Try this when the skin is wet and soft. You can also use natural loofah sponge which is cheap & effective. Soak the loofah in water to soften & use for scrubbing after you buy it from market. Shower gloves are also available in body shops.

  • To remove scales on the scalp, apply your favorite lotion and occlude with a shower cap or plastic wrap to bed. A morning shampoo, massage and brushing with fine toothed comb may help. You can use mild strength shampoo, baby shampoo or pears/dove body wash to wash hair once or twice in a week. You can use a nourishing conditioner after hair wash. After washing & soaking hair with towel when the scalp is moist, spray glycerin & rose water on head. Scalp will stay moisturized. Try to look for hair care brands with high levels of natural ingredients. Avoid drying products, and products containing non water-soluble ingredients such as silicones. These can build up scales & shield off moisture even more. Sulfate free shampoos are better option in that case.

  • Be careful not to braid or twist the hair too tight, to avoid disrupting the hair growth.

  • Body odor can be a problem for people with ichthyosis. It happens when bacteria is trapped in the dead layers of skin. Regular bathing is helpful. Adding two teaspoons of bleach or vinegar to one gallon of bath water may help.

  • Bacterial infections can be a problem for some people with ichthyosis. Some individuals suggest adding two TEASPOONS of Clorox to one gallon of bath water. Carefully measure each gallon of water as you fill your tub and then mark the tub so that you can always fill with the same amount. For example, add 30 teaspoons of Clorox to 15 gallons of water.

  • More baths are better. Water helps make dry skin easier to remove and makes people with ichthyosis more comfortable. Moisturizing soap- DOVE, NIVEA, PEARS, OLAY, GOAT'S MILK SOAP are commonly used & available in market. Everyday use of soap will make the skin rough so better to use every alternate day or twice/thrice in a week. Some people find salt, besan, oatmeal, baking soda baths soothing. Be sure to apply lotion or cream immediately after gently pat the skin with towel. Don't rub the skin with towel as rubbing will remove all the moisture & lotions will be not soaked effectively. You can find sugar scrub, apricot/walnut scrub, charcoal scrub products in supermarket to scrub off the scales while bathing. Some types of ichthyosis respond better to the steam in a comfortably warm shower than to complete immersion in a bath.

  • If you have problems with yeast infections in the groin area or feet, wear cotton underwear and cotton socks. Have your dermatologist prescribe the appropriate prescription medication for yeast or fungal infections. These problems need medical attention.

  • Thick scale can sometimes harbor so much infection, causing bad odors, that an oral antibiotic may be needed. Some people remain on low doses of antibiotics for long periods to control infection.

  • If you need to apply bandages, ask your pharmacist about some of the newest no-stick types.

  • Retinoids, a prescription oral medication, have provided some patients with dramatic improvement. These drugs need to be closely monitored by your doctor as there are serious side effects.

  • Ear canals can be a problem when they become clogged with skin and wax. Check your child's hearing routinely by an ear, nose and throat specialist for ways to properly clean the ears.

  • If you have mild or severe cases of ectropion, apply Vaseline couple of times around the eye so that the eyelids becomes soft & eyes can be closed easily. Artificial tears, ocular lubricants & topical retinoids are also used to lubricate the eyes adequately but should be used after consulting with an eye specialist.

  • Natural fibers, such as wool or cotton, tend to wick moisture away from the body. You might consider cotton blends for clothing worn next to the skin. Some people with ichthyosis find rayon and other synthetics to be very irritating.

  • Air conditioning and heating can be very drying, especially for small children. Fresh air, fans and humidifiers may prove to be more comfortable.

  • Children and adults who cannot tolerate heat can try cooling suits and devices.

  • Itching is a common problem. The best way to reduce itching is to maintain a daily routine of bathing along with moisturizing. Avoid scratching directly with fingernails as it will make skin raw & there is a chance of infection. Rub with the flat surface of fingers instead of that. You can wear cotton hand gloves also while sleeping.

  • Sunshine can work wonders for ichthyosis, but too much sun is dangerous. Always use a good sunscreen on the exposed part of the body 30 minutes before going outdoors. To ensure maximum protection, repeat the application every 2 hours after continuous exposure to the sun, after swimming, physical exercise. A good sunscreen has some criteria - broad spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays), SPF 30 or higher, water resistant, hypoallergenic & non-comedogenic.

  • Some cosmetics can conceal skin problems such as excessive redness. Check with your local department store for special cosmetics.

  • Diet has huge impact on skin. Make sure to eat clean nutritious balanced diet everyday. Drink plenty of water (minimum 2 litre/ 8-10 glasses), avoid junk foods & carbonated beverages, alcohol & smoking.

  • Stress has adverse effects on skin. It aggravates skin problems. Impacts of stress can be reduced by certain techniques - adequate sleep (7-8 hrs), regular physical exercises, swimming, cycling, breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, indulging in hobbies, joining support groups or taking help from a professional therapist.

  • A thorough physical checkup should be done at least once in a year which includes - Complete Blood Count with Differential, Metabolic functions of liver & kidney (blood sugar, electrolytes, albumin), Thyroid function test, Iron profile, Lipid profile, Specific Nutrient such as Calcium & Vitamin-D level in blood. Imaging tests like ultrasonography, bone scan, X-ray can be done if the physician advises.

  • Home Remedies:

  1. Hair Care: Soak a towel in a bowl of hot water for few minutes. Then squeeze the towel to remove water, hold both ends of the towel & wrap the hot towel around the head & leave it for 10 minutes. You can also apply warm oil on hair & scalp then do the hot towel treatment. It opens the pores on scalp & thereby helps reducing the scales & itching. Quality of hair also improves.

  2. Skin Care: Take half teaspoonful of sugar, add few drops of milk/coconut oil/curd & mix. Apply the mixture on damp skin of face, neck & body & leave it for few minutes, then rub slowly & gently so that the scales come off. Then wash with normal water. You can rub a little grated potato with curd on skin to remove the scales too.

Sandalwood powder, besan (pulse powder), rice flour, multani mitti are also beneficial when applied as a paste.

Another trick is to take 2 egg whites, whisk it with olive oil, pour in a bottle & store in refrigerator (the mixture lasts for 1 week if refrigerate). Apply this mixture everyday night on skin before sleeping. Wash skin with water in the next morning when you wake up. This reduces wrinkles & fine lines.