Congenital ichthyosis is a genetic skin disorder in which the outer layer of the skin does not form properly. As a result, scaling and shedding of the outer layer of the skin is observed. Symptoms of ichthyosis include mild to moderate generalized scaling on the body, usually excluding the head, extremities, paw pads, and nose. The scales are initially a whitish color but become pigmented, progressing to gray or black, and can range in size from small to large.