Patient Support Group for the UK and Ireland for all types of the ichthyoses, a group of conditions in which the skin is dry and scaly. Lots of people have dry skin conditions (such as eczema or psoriasis) but they tend to be patchy and they come and go. By contrast, in ichthyosis the scaling is continuous and usually affects the whole body. Most types are congenital, meaning that they are present at birth, and inherited, meaning that they result from genetic changes, so they may run in families. The ISG is committed to the ongoing provision of an information network and support structure for sufferers and families affected by ichthyosis. Associated with that we need to create a greater awareness and understanding within the medical profession, and lobby for greater research into this distressing condition.