Around two million people in Germany are affected by psoriasis, as it is medically known. A quarter of these are children and young people, as the effects of this immune disorder begin in childhood. Maren Gilzer, who became a jungle queen on RTL in 2015, has also had to cope with scaly skin and red to bloody patches for over 50 years, which not only weep but also itch terribly and rob many sufferers of sleep at night. "The itching is the worst," she says. Diseases such as psoriasis, neurodermatitis and acne, which are obvious to outsiders, are very stressful for those affected in addition to the health problems, because they are often stared at, feel ugly or, in the worst case, are even teased and ostracized. To counteract this stigmatization and provide the public with comprehensive information, international dermatologists introduced "World Psoriasis Day" a few years ago. Under the motto "Understand - Recognize - Include", events will also be held in Germany on 29 October 2016.
How does psoriasis develop?
Dermatologists describe psoriasis as a chronic disease that is notcontagious, but in which the body's own immune system is constantly out of control. The skin cells renew themselves much faster than in healthy people, which causes the skin to form scales that itch and weep. Lichen occurs on all areas of the skin, which is particularly serious for those affected when regions such as the face, neck and hands become inflamed - parts of the body that cannot simply be hidden under clothing.
Maren Gilzer is familiar with such situations:
I remember how large parts of the neck were once affected. Of course, it was difficult to cover up.
Doctors know many methods that can help
Maren Gilzer has tried various healing methods and medications and finally found an ointment that helps her. She is now able to cope well with her psoriasis, even if she is very troubled on some days: "Sometimes the lichen is in my ear, oozing and inflamed. Then even my cream doesn't help any more." According to the Professional Association of German Dermatologists, the various treatment methods available to doctors today usually take a long time but are very promising. Almost two thirds of psoriasis sufferers can make life with the disease easier thanks to various medical treatments, be it ointments, injections, UV therapy, tablets or infusions. However, psoriasis cannot be cured.