What is the recommended treatment for ichthyosis?

As of 2015, ichthyosis has no cure, so doctors recommend moisturizing the skin with prescription creams that contain different types of alpha hydroxy acids to hydrate, soften and exfoliate scaly skin, notes Mayo Clinic. In severe cases, dermatologists prescribe retinoids containing Vitamin A to slow down new skin cell growth.

Ichthyosis is an umbrella term for rare skin disorders that cause epidermal cells to grow excessively, creating a scaly skin texture, explains the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. The most common form is ichthyosis vulgaris, which is characterized by gradual dryness and roughening of the skin in early childhood. The scaly patches can form on any part of the body, but the skin around elbows and knees is often unaffected.