Treatment that has in view removal of the scaliness and the maintenance of a soft and flexible condition of the skin.
In mild cases frequent warm baths, simple or alkaline, will suffice; in others an application of an oily or fatty substance, such as the ordinary oils or ointments, made several hours or immediately before the bath may be necessary. In moderately developed cases the skin is to be washed energetically with sapo viridis and hot water, followed by a warm bath, after which an oily or fatty application is made. In some of the more severe cases the following plan is often useful: The parts are first rubbed with a soapy ointment consisting of one part of precipitated sulphur and seven parts of sapo viridis; a bath is then taken, the skin wiped dry, and a one to five per cent. ointment of salicylic acid gently rubbed in.
Glycerine lotions, one or two drachms to the ounce of water, are also beneficial; as also the following:—
℞ Ac. salicylici, .................................. gr. x-xl
Glycerini, ....................................... ʒss-ʒj
Lanolin,
Petrolati, .....................................āā ℥ss
In severe cases of ichthyosis hystrix it may be necessary, also, to employ caustics or the knife.
What systemic treatment would you prescribe?
Constitutional remedies are practically powerless; occasionally some good is accomplished by the internal administration of linseed oil and jaborandi.
Onychauxis.
(Synonym: Hypertrophy of the Nail.)
Describe onychauxis.