Ichthyosis

The time frame for follow-up visits depends on many factors. Even with the more severe forms of ichthyosis, if the patient is on a regimen that keeps the disease under control, the patient may go for many months or even years without follow-up. If the patient is on systemic therapy (most commonly retinoids), follow-up may be more frequent, depending on the patient's clinical features.

Monitoring patients on oral retinoids requires regular blood work, including CBC, fasting lipids, and liver enzymes.[30]Katugampola RP, Finlay AY. Oral retinoid therapy for disorders of keratinization: single-centre retrospective 25 years' experience on 23 patients. Br J Dermatol. 2006;154:267-276. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16433796?tool=bestpractice.com

In X-linked ichthyosis, yearly testicular exams performed by a physician and monthly self-exams should be performed due to the higher risk of testicular cancer in these patients when compared with the general population.