Ichthyosis
Pronunciation: ik-thee-OH-sis
A heterogeneous group of genetic or acquired skin disorders characterised by widespread, persistent scaling resembling fish scales.
Full Definition
Ichthyosis encompasses a spectrum of keratinisation disorders in which abnormal shedding of the stratum corneum produces dry, scaly skin. The most common form is ichthyosis vulgaris, linked to filaggrin gene mutations. Rarer heritable forms include lamellar ichthyosis and X-linked ichthyosis, while acquired ichthyosis may be associated with systemic diseases such as lymphoma or sarcoidosis. Editors should note that 'ichthyosis' without qualification refers to the broader category, and the specific subtype must be named when precision is required. The adjectival form is 'ichthyotic.'
Usage
Usage note: Always specify the clinical subtype (e.g., 'ichthyosis vulgaris') when the context demands precision. The adjectival form 'ichthyotic' is preferred over 'ichthyosiform' in general clinical text, though 'ichthyosiform erythroderma' is an accepted compound noun.
In Context
- "The proband was diagnosed with autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis following TGM1 gene sequencing." — Genetic dermatology case report
- "Authors should specify the ichthyosis subtype rather than using the umbrella term in the title." — Editorial peer review comment