Ictiosis

Research Progress Related to Ichthyosis

The NIAMS supports basic science and translational and clinical research at universities and other organizations throughout the country. Researchers are studying ichthyosis to better understand the cause of the disease and to find better treatments, in hopes to better diagnose the disease, control its symptoms, and someday potentially cure the disorder.

Research topics include:

• Studying and identifying the genes linked to ichthyosis and their effect on the skin.
• Researching new treatments for the disorder, including topical, oral, or injected medications, or potentially designing newer genetic therapies.
• Looking at the normal development of the skin for clues as to how tissue development goes wrong to cause diseases like ichthyosis.

In 1994, the NIAMS funded the National Registry for Ichthyosis and Related Disorders. This registry voluntarily identifies people with ichthyosis and other related disorders to collect information about their skin disorder and how it has affected them. Although the original registry is now closed to new enrollment, it continues to provide crucial information to health care providers and scientists.