National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

X-linked ichthyosis

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Other Names:
Steroid sulfatase deficiency; SSD; SSDD; Steroid sulfatase deficiency; SSD; SSDD; Steroid sulfatase deficiency disease; Placental steroid sulfatase deficiency; X linked ichthyosis See More
Categories:
X-linked ichthyosis is a disorder in which the skin cells are produced at a normal rate but they do not separate properly at the surface of the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin). This slows the rate of shedding of the skin cells, resulting in a build-up of scales. The scales of X-linked ichthyosis are often dark and usually cover only a portion of the body. Typically, the trunk and back of the neck are more likely to be affected. Scales are usually not found on the face, scalp, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. [1][2] X-linked ichthyosis mostly affects males. It is usually caused by a mutation or deletion in the STS gene and is inherited in an X-linked recessive manner. In rare cases, the ichthyosis can be part of a genetic syndrome in which other parts of the body are affected.[2][3] Topical treatment may consist of alpha-hydroxy acids, lubricating bath oils, and emollients.[1][2] For adult patients, systemic retinoids may be an option, especially during winter when the ichthyosis is often more severe. The ichthyosis is life-long, but the scaling may improve with age.[2]
Last updated: 3/15/2016

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

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Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
80%-99% of people have these symptoms
Dry skin 0000958
Hyperkeratosis 0000962
Hypohidrosis
Decreased ability to sweat
Decreased sweating
Sweating, decreased
[ more ] 		0000966
Ichthyosis 0008064
30%-79% of people have these symptoms
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Attention deficit
Attention deficit disorder
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder
Attention deficits
Childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
[ more ] 		0007018
Opacification of the corneal stroma 0007759
5%-29% of people have these symptoms
Autism 0000717
Cryptorchidism
Undescended testes
Undescended testis
[ more ] 		0000028
Neurological speech impairment
Speech disorder
Speech impairment
Speech impediment
[ more ] 		0002167
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Abnormality of metabolism/homeostasis
Laboratory abnormality
Metabolism abnormality
[ more ] 		0001939
Congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma 0007431
Neoplasm 0002664
X-linked recessive inheritance 0001419
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Last updated: 7/1/2020

Making a diagnosis for a genetic or rare disease can often be challenging. Healthcare professionals typically look at a person’s medical history, symptoms, physical exam, and laboratory test results in order to make a diagnosis. The following resources provide information relating to diagnosis and testing for this condition. If you have questions about getting a diagnosis, you should contact a healthcare professional.

Testing Resources

  • The Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) provides information about the genetic tests for this condition. The intended audience for the GTR is health care providers and researchers. Patients and consumers with specific questions about a genetic test should contact a health care provider or a genetics professional.

If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources

Related diseases are conditions that have similar signs and symptoms. A health care provider may consider these conditions in the table below when making a diagnosis. Please note that the table may not include all the possible conditions related to this disease.

Conditions with similar signs and symptoms from Orphanet
Differential diagnosis includes ichthyosis vulgaris, autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI), namely lamellar ichthyosis, syndromic RLXI, or multiple sulfatase deficiency (see these terms).
Visit the Orphanet disease page for more information.

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to X-linked ichthyosis. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Patient Registry

  • A registry supports research by collecting of information about patients that share something in common, such as being diagnosed with X-linked ichthyosis. The type of data collected can vary from registry to registry and is based on the goals and purpose of that registry. Some registries collect contact information while others collect more detailed medical information. Learn more about registries.

    Registries for X-linked ichthyosis:
    The National Registry for Ichthyosis & Related Skin Disorders
     

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • DermNetNZ provides information on ichthyosis in general. DermNetNZ is an online resource about skin diseases developed by the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss X-linked ichthyosis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

  1. X-Linked Ichthyosis Fact Sheet. Foundation for Ichthyois & Related Skin Types. http://www.firstskinfoundation.org/content.cfm/Ichthyosis/X-Linked-Ichthyosis-Fact-Sheet/page_id/891?gclid=CNOH24vtwssCFcG6Gwodhy4NOw. Accessed 3/15/2016.
  2. Oji, Vinzenz. Recessive X-linked ichthyosis. Orphanet. March, 2012; http://www.orpha.net/consor/cgi-bin/OC_Exp.php?lng=en&Expert=461. Accessed 3/15/2016.
  3. Janniger, Camila. X-Linked Ichthyosis. Medscape Reference. October 29, 2015; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1111398-overview. Accessed 3/15/2016.