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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffA doctor can often make a diagnosis by examining your skin and the characteristic scales. If there's any doubt, he or she may perform other tests, such as a skin biopsy. This may be necessary to rule out other causes of dry, scaly skin.
To diagnose ichthyosis, your doctor also will take into account:
- Personal and family history of ichthyosis
- Age when ichthyosis first started
- Presence of other skin disorders
References
- About ichthyosis: FAQ. Foundation for Ichthyosis & Related Skin Types. http://www.scalyskin.org/column.cfm?ColumnID=13. Accessed April 4, 2010.
- Okulicz JF, et al. Hereditary and acquired ichthyosis vulgaris. International Journal of Dermatology 2003;42:95.
- Fleckman P, et al. The ichthyoses. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2977821. Accessed April 5, 2010.
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