Ichthyosis

The ichthyoses are a family of genetic skin diseases characterized by dry, thickened and scaling skin. Dermatologists estimate that there are at least twenty-eight varieties of ichthyosis, with a wide range of severity and associated symptoms.

The top layer of skin, called the stratum corneum, is made up of layers of flattened, dead skin cells. In normal skin, the stratum corneum renews itself at a constant rate; the cells on top are shed invisibly as new cells are generated. Ichthyosis can be described as a "traffic jam" of skin cells. The skin's natural shedding process is slowed or inhibited and, in some forms of ichthyosis, the production of skin cells is too rapid.