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Show HEALTH ADVICE By Dr. Morris Fishbein Editor, Journal of the Americas Medical Medi-cal Auocittion This is the twenty-third of a j series in which Dr. Morris Fish- j bein discusses skin diseases. I I Many children are born with a i "skin tnat is dry, narsn and scaly. " The condition is called ichthyosis became the skin looks Jks Jhat of a fish. The condition Is also called alligator skin or xeroderma, xeroder-ma, which merely means hardening harden-ing of the skin. ,. While the exact cause of the rondition is not known, it is believed be-lieved to be associated with disturbances dis-turbances of the elands, particularly particu-larly of the thyroid. The condition frequently appears ap-pears in families. In many instances in-stances the thyroid of the child is found to be deficient in its function. func-tion. In the summer the skin is moist and well lubricated. In the winter, however, when there" are cold, dry winds, the skin becomes rough, harsh and scaly. Fortunately, there are seldom symptoms affecting the rest of the hfiy h" iihild has so much deficiency of the thyroid action ac-tion as to have the typical symptoms symp-toms of that disorder. Obviously in this skin trouble it is important to make a complete com-plete study of the general condition, con-dition, including especially a study of the basal metabolism of the patient pa-tient to make certain that the thyroid thy-roid gland action is not deficient. If a deficiency is found, the doctor doc-tor will be able to supplement the action of tha thyroid by prescrib- ' lng suitable glandular extracts. Whenever a skin is damaged by this or any similar condition. It is important to do everything possible possi-ble to get a return to the normal state. Certainly it is serious to overuse caustic soaps and water, because that will produce a secondary inflammation in-flammation and a reaction which , may become chronic. Except in severe cases. It is most often customary to change the bathing. After a light, warm bath (using preferably a soap containing contain-ing oil like an olive oil castile soap), it is customary to grease the skin with suitable ointments. In severe cases, not even castile soap is recommended for tha affected af-fected areas. If the scaly condition of the akin persists, it may become necessary nec-essary for the person concerned to leave a cold, irritating climate and find a temperature and a condition con-dition of the air that will keep the skin warm and moist. Next: Freckles. '. |