What's your ichthyosis type?
Find your type. Get your plan. Manage your ichthyosis with confidence — step by step.
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Why Ichthyosis Guide
Your coach, not just a website
Instead of "Here's what ichthyosis is" — here's how to deal with your ichthyosis, today.
Find your type in 2 clicks
Our Type Finder quiz asks 6 questions and points you to the right hub — no jargon needed.
Take the quiz →Your daily routine in 5 minutes
Type-specific morning and evening protocols with exact products, timings, and step-by-step instructions.
Build my routine →Medication options for YOUR type
Efficacy %, side effects, NHS cost and timeline — compared side by side for your type.
Explore medications →Solve your problem in 3 clicks
Itching? Cracked heels? Scaling at work? Search your problem and get a type-specific solution.
Solve my problem →Connect with people like you
Tips crowdsourced from real patients with your type. Community hacks that actually work.
See community tips →8-week structured protocol
A week-by-week plan — exactly what to do and what to expect at each stage.
View protocols →How it works
From confused to confident in 4 steps
Most people spend years piecing together information. This site gives you a clear path from day one.
Identify your type
Take the 6-question quiz or browse all 11 types
Get your daily routine
Morning and evening protocol for your type, severity and budget
Understand your medications
Compare treatments with real efficacy data and NHS costs
Solve your problems
Search any issue and get a type-specific solution with timeline
Common questions
Quick answers
The questions we get asked most often — answered clearly and practically.
Ichthyosis is a group of genetic skin conditions where the skin's normal shedding process doesn't work properly, causing it to build up in scales or thickened patches. It ranges from very mild (Vulgaris, affecting 1 in 250 people) to very severe (Harlequin, 1 in 500,000). It's not contagious.
The most reliable way is genetic testing via your GP or dermatologist. Our Type Finder quiz asks about symptoms, onset and family history to suggest the most likely type — always confirm with a specialist.
There is currently no cure for inherited ichthyosis. Symptoms can be very effectively managed with daily skincare routines, emollients, and prescription medications. Gene therapy research (trial NCT04047732) is showing promise — see our Gene Therapy Hub.
Start a consistent emollient routine. Applied twice daily — especially within 3 minutes of bathing — emollients reduce scaling, itching and cracking by 70–85% in most types. It's the single most impactful thing you can do.
For mild Vulgaris, a well-informed GP may be sufficient. For all other types — especially Lamellar, Harlequin, Netherton — a specialist dermatologist is strongly recommended. Use our Specialist Finder.