Treatment

• 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 palmoplantar hyperkeratosis
• topical steroids are generally not used to treat ichthyosis because of an increased risk of toxicity in erythroderma and poor response
• antibiotics may be required if secondary infection occurs

Reference:

1. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ichthyosis/ (Accessed 15 March 2023).
2. Dermatology in Practice 2007;15(4):26-28.