treatment
Last reviewed 01/2018
- protection of the skin through the regular use of bath oils and emollients such as emulsifying ointment BP and soft white paraffin are helpful
- keratolytics and urea-containing emollients are usually too irritating for more than occasional use (1)
- topical vitamin A derivatives may be useful in the management of this condition (1,2)
- there have been reports of good results with the use of the vitamin D derivative calcipotriol (1)
- propylene glycol in aqueous cream or ointment can lead to the reduction in palmoplanter hyperkeratosis
- topical steroids are generally not used to treat ichthyosis because of increased risk of toxicity in erythroderma and poor response
- antibiotics may be required if secondary infection occurs
Reference:
- (1) Prescriber 2000; 11 (20):97-101.
- (2) Dermatology in Practice 2007;15(4):26-28.