- Harlequin ichthyosis is an extremely rare genetic skin disorder that is existent at birth. It is caused by a defect in ABCA12 gene, which is responsible for instructing cells to make protein that is necessary for normal skin development. The disorder is so rare that the percentage of people born with the disorder is unknown. Babies born with harlequin ichthyosis have hard skin with large cracks. The hard skin restricts movement, making the shape of the eyelids, nose, mouth and ears appear abnormal. Movement of the chest, legs and arms is also restricted. The restricted movement of the chest can lead to breathing difficulties. The abnormal skin does not effectively prevent water loss, making dehydration a huge concern. Infants born with harlequin ichthyosis are deemed in critical condition. They are prone to serious infections, dehydration and respiratory problems. The survival rate of infants born with harlequin ichthyosis used to be very low. Improved medical technology has made survival more likely. The skin disorder is not curable; it is only treatable. Treatments are aimed at preventing infection, maintaining hydration and making the skin softer and more pliable.
- Morgellons disease is another extremely rare skin disorder. Nothing is known about the cause of the disorder. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is investigating the skin disorder to learn the cause, effect and prevalence. The main symptom of the disorder is the feeling of strange tingling, crawling and biting sensations under the skin. People with the disorder report seeing black threads emerge from underneath the skin.
- Argyria is a rare skin disorder that is caused by ingesting large amounts of silver. Argyria is a cosmetic disorder. The ingested silver, deposits into the skin and causes a blue-gray appearance. The blue-gray appearance is permanent. There is no known treatment for the disorder. People should use extreme caution when taking over the counter alternative health supplements that contain silver products. A common over the counter silver product is colloidal silver.
- Hailey-Hailey disease is a genetic skin disorder the symptoms of which are blisters and skin lesions. The skin disorder is caused by the gene ATP2C1 found on chromosome 3q21-24. The gene is responsible for coding protein that holds skin cells together. In Hailey-Hailey disease the skin cells fall apart from each other. There is no known cure for the disorder.
- Dermatographia is a skin disorder that only affects about 5 percent of the population. The exact cause of the disorder is not known. It may be related to allergies. The characteristic of the disorder is hives that appear as a result of insignificant trauma. Simply brushing the skin with clothing or exposing the skin to cold air can cause the eruption of hives. The skin disorder is not dangerous and there is no known cure for it.
