Ichthyosis vulgaris legs treatment

The skin may look dry, rough or finely scaly, often most noticeably over the shins. Scaling can become more visible in dry weather or after hot bathing. It is not a contagious infection, and irritation does not mean that the skin is dirty. Symptoms can vary from mild roughness to uncomfortable tightness or itching.

Apply a thick, fragrance-free moisturiser soon after bathing, while the skin is still slightly damp, and reapply when the legs feel tight. Keep showers short and use lukewarm water with a gentle cleanser. Avoid vigorous scrubbing, rough brushes and picking at flakes, which can create small breaks in the skin. Products containing urea, lactic acid or salicylic acid may help loosen scale, but a clinician should guide their use if the skin is sensitive, cracked or inflamed. See [Emollient Therapy](/treatments/medical-dermatology/emollient-therapy/) for more on moisturising treatment.

Arrange a medical assessment if the scaling is new, spreading, intensely itchy, painful or not improving with regular moisturising. Seek prompt care for warmth, swelling, pus, rapidly increasing redness or fever, because these can signal infection in broken skin. A dermatologist can also check whether another condition is causing the leg changes.

Ask which moisturiser or scale-softening ingredient suits your skin, how often to apply it, and whether any cracks need separate care. Mention medicines, eczema symptoms and family members with similar scaling.