Oral retinoic acid as therapy for congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma.

Oral retinoic acid has been therapeutically beneficial for three patients with congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma and one with congenital bullous ichthyosifrom erythroderma. Response to therapy was slow but definite with suppression of scale formation, marked reduction of painful cracking of the underlying epidermis and disappearance of skin irritation. Side effects have not occurred. Therapy had to be maintained to prevent recurrence of symptoms.