Ichthyosis is a rare disease accompanied by genetic disorders that encode various forms of keratin – the most durable protein produced by the human body. The main manifestation of the disease is skin keratinization, which resembles fish scales (the word "ichthys" in Greek means "fish").
Israeli specialists have extensive experience in treating hereditary skin diseases and use the latest medical developments, modern medications, and well-established balneological procedures for their therapy.
What methods are used to treat ichthyosis in Israel?
There are more than two dozen types of ichthyosis. Often, this disease can develop as a complication of another disease. The main cause of this pathology is genetic disorders that lead to abnormalities in epidermal function. The symptoms of the disease vary in severity – from almost asymptomatic to signs that pose a direct threat to the health and even life of the patient.
The most common type of ichthyosis is vulgar ichthyosis (common ichthyosis), also known as autosomal dominant ichthyosis. The disease is quite widespread and affects approximately 1 in 250 people. It is classified as a hereditary pathology and often manifests with mild symptoms – patients with this type of ichthyosis report only slight peeling and mosaic skin in the area between the Achilles tendon and the calf muscle. Pronounced symptoms are relatively rare and include the spread of keratinized skin flakes over the entire body, intolerable skin itching, and body overheating due to impaired sweating. About 50% of patients with common ichthyosis suffer from associated complications – allergies, eczema, or asthma.
Treatment of ichthyosis involves alleviating its symptoms, as the main cause of the disease – genetic disorder – is not amenable to therapy. Nevertheless, a successful combination of various therapeutic methods can lead to almost complete disappearance of ichthyosis symptoms. The Top Ichilov clinic employs several such methods.
- Improving skin hydration through the use of various ointments and emollient creams, moisturizing the epidermis with baths followed by application of petroleum jelly. Good results are achieved with creams containing water-retaining substances such as urea and various glycols.
- Use of keratolytics – organic substances capable of stimulating the exfoliation of keratinized fragments of the epidermis. Ointments containing salicylic or lactic acid are most commonly used for treating hyperkeratosis.
- In some cases, a course of retinoids – derivatives of vitamin A that can regulate the growth and development of epithelial cells – is an effective method for treating ichthyosis. In our clinic, alongside retinoids, vitamins A, B, and C are also used for ichthyosis treatment.
- In patients with lamellar ichthyosis, ectropion – eyelid deformation – often develops alongside hyperkeratosis. This manifestation of the disease is treated only surgically.
It is well known that living in a cold and dry climate worsens the symptoms of ichthyosis. Conversely, a warm and humid climate helps reduce symptom severity – in some cases, people only learn about the disease after moving from a warm climate to a cold one.
The climate of Israel, especially the microclimate of Israeli health resorts located on the shores of the Dead Sea, promotes improved skin hydration for patients with ichthyosis. In some cases, good results are achieved with sunbathing, swimming, and baths (balneotherapy). Excellent therapeutic results are obtained using the world-famous therapeutic mud of the Dead Sea, salt and soda baths. The balneological resorts of Israel attract many foreign patients with skin diseases, including ichthyosis.
Another promising method for treating ichthyosis may be enzyme therapy. Researchers have found that in some cases, the cause of hyperkeratosis is a hereditary deficiency of a specific enzyme – transglutaminase – in the patient's body. Medications and ointments containing this enzyme can normalize epidermal functions in patients with lamellar ichthyosis.
Diagnosis of ichthyosis – precise treatment program in 3 days
Diagnosis of ichthyosis in Israeli clinics usually takes no more than 3 working days. During this period, the patient undergoes a complete set of necessary examinations.
First Day – Arrival in the Country
On the day of the patient's arrival, a clinic representative meets them at the airport. This person acts as a personal curator and translator. Accompanied by them, the patient goes for their first consultation with a leading specialist. The doctor reviews the medical history and prescribes the necessary diagnostic procedures.
Second Day – Diagnosis
An important task for the doctor is to determine the type of ichthyosis, as different types of the disease may require different treatment approaches. The diagnostic procedures may include several types of examinations.
- Physical examination is used as a very effective method for diagnosing ichthyosis. The medical history and family history are also studied.
- Skin biopsy is used to confirm the diagnosis.
- Genetic testing assists in the differential diagnosis of the disease.
Third Day – Treatment Program
The third day of diagnosis is dedicated to establishing the final diagnosis and selecting a treatment program. For this purpose, a medical commission is convened, headed by the leading specialist. The commission reviews the diagnostic results and confirms the final diagnosis. The patient may be present during the commission's work – according to Israeli law, they have the full right to receive information regarding their diagnosis and treatment program. The patient also has the right to seek a "second opinion" – to involve an independent medical expert to evaluate the diagnosis and the proposed treatment program.
Ichthyosis Treatment in Israel – Prices
The cost of ichthyosis treatment in Israel can vary – it all depends on the severity of symptoms and the severity of the disease, as well as the type of ichthyosis. In some cases, a course of medication may be sufficient, while in others, prolonged therapy with surgical treatment (for example, surgical treatment of ectropion associated with ichthyosis) may be required – and the cost of treatment will be higher.
In any case, the services of Israeli clinics are 30-50% cheaper than those of medical centers in Europe and the United States.
Advantages of Ichthyosis Treatment at the Top Ichilov Center
- Our clinic employs specialists with extensive experience in treating hereditary skin diseases. Many of them have trained at the largest medical centers in the world, hold academic degrees, and conduct their own research dedicated to finding new types of ichthyosis therapy.
- Diagnosis of ichthyosis at the Top Ichilov center is conducted using the latest equipment, allowing for accurate identification of the disease type and eliminating the possibility of medical error.
- Ichthyosis treatment is carried out using the latest and most effective medications, skin hydrating substances, and physiotherapy procedures. Each patient at the clinic receives a personalized treatment program tailored to the individual characteristics of the patient and the symptoms of the disease.
- Patients admitted to the clinic live in comfortable conditions, surrounded by the attention and care of medical staff. All possible everyday issues, questions related to the organization of treatment and diagnosis, as well as issues related to the translation of medical documentation, are handled by a personal curator-translator.
- The Top Ichilov clinic is located near the Ayalon Highway (Highway 20), which allows for quick access to almost any point in Israel – from the balneological resorts of the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean resorts.