Acquired ichthyosis may occur in a variety of diseases - hypothyroidism, Hodgkin's disease, leprosy, lymphoma, poor diet, malabsorption, sarcoidosis - or in patients taking nicotinic acid.
The skin is dry and scaly with cracking, and resembles that of ichthyosis vulgaris. Thickening of the skin is limited to palms and soles.
Acquired ichthyosis must be distinguished from dry, scaly skin seen in eczema where there may be minimal inflammatory changes visible.
The underlying disorder must be treated. A urea based cream may be used to relieve the ichthyosis.
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