Can Cotaryl cream be used to cure dry and flaky skin (Ichthyosis)?

Question

Hi Doctor,

I am suffering a disease called Ichthyosis. It is genetically causing dry skin problem and fish like scales.

Kindly help me with a solution for this.

Answer 1

Hi, Thanks for writing to us.Ichthyosis as you rightly mentioned is a genetic condition leading to excessively dry and flaky skin.

There is no cure for this condition, but it can be controlled by using right medications and thus bringing the normal texture back.

For the same, follow these suggestions:

Use a mild soap like cetaphil soap. Use lukewarm water to bathe and add liquid paraffin (2 caps full) in the water. After having the bath, use a cotton wash cloth to slightly rub off the scales. This will dislodge the scales. Always pat your skin to make it dry.

Mix Cetaphil dam cream and Cotaryl cream in equal amounts and apply all over the body.

And whenever you feel the need of moisturiser, just use plain cetaphil dam.

Take diet rich in omega fatty acids such as fish, nuts, flax seeds and etc.

Once in a week use an oat meal scrub. Mix powdered oats, cream and milk and apply it over body and scrub it off.

Follow all these above steps regularly and you will be sure notice a positive change.