Ichthyosis: Questions, Tips, and Support
in Health ·
Dana Morris24 said:I was born with Ichthyosis vulgaris, or "fish skin." It’s a rare skin condition that doesn't affect many people.
There isn't really an adequate cure. My parents were told it might just clear up during puberty... 🤣 well, puberty passed a long time ago.
In the summer, my skin actually improves thanks to the sun and the ocean water.
When I was little, my dad used to bring me seawater in the winter so I could soak in it in the tub. 😍
I’ve basically found all the creams that work through trial and error on my own skin, because the stuff my dermatologists prescribed didn't do anything at all.
I don't know anyone else I can swap experiences with, so if anyone wants to reach out, I'd love to chat. 🙂
Hey there.
If it helps at all, I deal with the exact same thing. 🙂 I live in Switzerland and can recommend three specific products: The first two follow a similar routine—there's a body wash and then a cream to apply after you dry off. One is called Aquaphor and the other is CeraVe. The big plus with these two is that they actually smell decent. If you stick to them daily, you might actually make it through the winter without looking like you have fish scales. 🙂 Then there's this third one called Neutrogena. Its strength is that it clears up patches very quickly, but the downside is it causes intense itching, which can lead to raw skin, and the scent isn't great. My advice? Use the Neutrogena on the worst spots until the patches clear, then switch back to Aquaphor or CeraVe once things settle down. P.S. I read recently that a university in Germany discovered an ingredient that actually treats this condition. They even received an award from the European Union, but the catch is that big pharma companies aren't interested in manufacturing it yet since the disease is so rare. They're hoping the European Union will use these kinds of incentives to push pharmaceutical companies to start production. Hang in there; dealing with ichthyosis takes serious grit. 🙂