With Jace's 6 month milestone reached last week and as I was "greasing him up" in preparation to take him to his 6 month well child visit tomorrow, I realized that October celebrates Ichthyosis Awareness. Jace, my nephew Stockton, and my little brother Matt (as well as my mom's two brothers) all have an x-linked ichthyosis skin condition. Luckily, Jace and Stockton have a lighter complexion so it isn't as noticeable. Unfortunately, my brother Matt is very dark complected and spent most days of his childhood "greasing-up" in order to hide the scales that covered his body from people. We always joke, that when short and sandal season comes each spring, Matt complains because he "hasn't shed his winter coat." Luckily, most days I don't even notice Jace's skin....just when I hold other babies and realize how soft their skin is compared to his....
If you have never heard of it before, It is a genetic skin condition that causes "scales" to build up on the body. In "normal" skin, there is an enzyme that causes the dead skin cells to shed constantly. With Ichthyosis, that enzyme is either missing or malfunctioning so that the dead skin cells collect as scales. This skin is tight and itchy. When the scales do come off, they can tear the thin skin beneath. We try to keep Jace's, ( as well as Stockton and Matt) skin well moisturized with creams to help protect it, but it leaves them feeling greasy all the time. We use medicated creams because it can help remove the scales, which are very uncomfortable, but sometimes these creams burn, and so we have to be careful. The thickness of the scales also makes them prone to overheating...and ALL of them sweat so abnormal because the scale build-up. Not to mention that Stockton can't hear most days of his life because he has so much dead skin skin and wax in his ears!!! =)
Here are some pictures of what it can look like, especially if it isn't treated regularly....Thank goodness for lac-hydrin!
