Vacation with neurodermatitis and other skin diseases in MV

Spa vacation for skin and soul

As the largest organ of the human body, the skin is our protective shell, our border to the environment. The extent to which its healthy function is linked to a healthy psyche is well known not only in medicine but also in the vernacular: if something gets under our skin, we become thin-skinned and do not feel comfortable in our skin.

Healthy MV Skin diseases UV protection, © TMV/Roth — ©© TMV/Roth

A spa vacation around the skin will therefore usually include not only individual treatments for your skin, but sometimes also for the soul. The nature of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, especially of course the salty sea water of the Baltic Sea, is the ideal, healing recreational environment for a vacation for skin and soul.

Soothe the skin with sea breeze

In iodine-rich sea air, you can not only breathe deeply and relax, but the valuable components of the salty breeze also help with skin diseases such as neurodermatitis or psoriasis. During long walks on the beach, the wind blows into the face, which can reduce itching thanks to its cooling effect. At the same time, salt from the air is deposited on the skin, which has a mild anti-inflammatory effect and also loosens skin flakes.

Brine

Baths in brine with a salt content of 0.3 to 6.0% are suitable for the treatment of various skin diseases. Atopic eczema (neurodermatitis) and especially psoriasis respond well to balneophototherapy (brine phototherapy), which combines brine baths with UV radiation. Brine baths for the treatment of skin diseases last ten to twenty minutes at a water temperature of 37 degrees. During the bath, the regeneration of the skin is supported by salts dissolved in the water and their descaling or anti-inflammatory function.

Medicinal chalk

On the Baltic Sea island of Rügen, naturally occurring medicinal chalk has a long tradition of alleviating various skin diseases. As a pure natural product consisting of marine sediments, Rügen healing chalk is free of allergens, so when used properly, no allergic reactions occur. The healing chalk packs stimulate blood circulation, purify the body and promote skin renewal. In combination with elements of thalassotherapy, the positive effects of healing chalk applications can be additionally supported in the case of inflammatory and itchy skin problems.

Thalasso

Thalassotherapy uses the health-promoting effects of seawater, sea climate, mud and algae. Well-tempered baths in the Thalasso tub as well as mud or algae packs can lead to lasting relief of complaints in skin diseases such as psoriasis and neurodermatitis. Heated to around 37 degrees, the skin absorbs mineral salts, vitamins and trace elements with an anti-inflammatory effect. But fresh air baths or heliotherapy are also good for stressed skin and are offered in most health resorts in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as part of thalasso or climatic therapies.

From nature - good for the skin

In the case of neurodermatitis, psoriasis or dry skin, a change of climate can provide the desired relief. Due to the mild Baltic Sea climate and the natural occurrences of chalk, moor and brine, a health vacation in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is recommended especially for skin diseases. In the numerous coastal health resorts and recreational areas, these resources can be used specifically for skin diseases.

Iodine brine from the depths

Healing brine water does not bubble to the surface in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, but flows underground through the land. In Heringsdorf on the island of Usedom or Waren in the Mecklenburg Lake District, the iodine brines extracted from the depths offer the best conditions for treating skin diseases. Among other things, brine baths, room inhalations and face washes are offered. The iodine brine from Heringsdorf is used therapeutically in the seaside resorts of Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf and Bansin. With a mineral content of 160 g/l, the Waren thermal brine has a particularly high salt content, close to that of the Dead Sea.

Rügen healing chalk for the home

Since 1910, the inhabitants of the island of Rügen have been using the white chalk from the island's chalk quarries for medical and cosmetic applications. Many island resorts offer wellness and health treatments with healing chalk. Those who wish to continue these at home can purchase the natural product in numerous stores on the island in a variety of forms. From powders and peelings to fragrance-free cleansing milks, creams and face masks, there are numerous products for the skin that have been developed on the basis of Rügen healing chalk.

Rich in salt

Between Ribnitz-Damgarten and Stralsund lies the "Salt Kingdom" of Trinwillershagen. This world of experience, created from about 32,000 kg of natural salt, not only impresses with many things worth seeing, but with brine drinking cures and an imposing graduation house it is also a suitable place of therapy for skin diseases. The salt extraction plant, which is about six meters high, extends over two floors and creates a health-promoting climate with clean air containing iodine. Among the services offered in the two salt towers of the "Salt Kingdom" are salt therapies to naturally support the healing process for skin problems. Individual cure plans with salty inhalations, baths, packs and massages can be created, which experienced therapists conscientiously accompany during the implementation.

Salt Kingdom Trinwilershagen

Natural cosmetics from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Much of what grows and thrives in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has valuable ingredients that are good for the skin. Such natural cosmetics from the country can also be found, among others, on the adjacent websites.

Interview with Prof. Dr. Michael Juenger

It protects us from environmental influences, regulates the heat balance and surrounds our organism almost completely: the skin. In addition, our largest organ performs many other functions. Prof. Dr. Michael Jünger, Professor of Dermatology and Director of the Clinic and Polyclinic for Skin Diseases at the University of Greifswald, told us interesting facts about rehabilitation measures for skin diseases.

Does the Baltic Sea climate really have a positive effect on the skin?

Prof. Dr. Jünger: Generalized inflammation of the skin can be caused by allergens that are in the air. A change of region, e.g. during a vacation at the Baltic Sea, can cause the skin inflammation to subside. On the one hand, because the composition of the air can be changed in comparison to the place of residence. On the other hand, because the allergens individually triggering the skin inflammation are not present at the Baltic Sea. The fact is that a change of climate has been proven to alleviate symptoms of some skin diseases. In this respect, the stimulating climate of the Baltic Sea region offers a very suitable environment for appropriate rehabilitation measures.

What are the benefits of mother-child cures for children's skin diseases?

Prof. Dr. Jünger: A child suffering from neurodermatitis or psoriasis presents parents with great challenges. Inflammatory skin diseases like these are accompanied by severe itching. The child is constantly scratching, restless, has trouble falling asleep, whines, and is unable to concentrate. Such a situation is stressful in the long run. A mother- or father-child-cure offers therapies and offers above all support for exhausted parents. This helps to regain calm and a certain family dynamic. If, however, the focus is to be on the skin disease of the offspring, I recommend a specially designed rehab for children or adolescents, preferably accompanied by a parent.

An inpatient rehab measure for skin diseases. What are the effects?

Prof. Dr. Jünger: While the treatment of a skin disease in an acute clinic involves the use of quickly effective medicinal or physical therapies, a rehab measure offers considerably more possibilities. Here it concerns the combination of medically indicated therapy with nourishing consultation, relaxation offers, psychotherapy and above all knowledge transfer. The better parents understand their child's illness and the therapy approaches, the more confidently they deal with it. Moreover, in the course of rehab, some mothers and fathers realize better that and how medication really helps their children. Another important aspect - unfortunately, fears of possible side effects outweigh the benefits for some parents.

Any tips for protecting the skin in the Baltic Sea region?

Prof. Dr. Jünger: You should generally protect your skin from direct sunlight, not just at the Baltic Sea. Depending on your skin type, just ten minutes in the sun can be enough for a severe sunburn. Light-proof clothing offers the best protection. The so-called "sun terraces", i.e. shoulders, scalp and face, should be particularly protected. Sensitive children's skin should also be covered with UV-proof clothing on the beach, not forgetting the back, stomach and thighs. Commercially available sunscreen products only offer deceptive safety, because they only extend the possible stay in the sun by a short period of time. Speaking of dangerous: ticks live here in the north, too. Anyone who has spent time outdoors should definitely check themselves and their children thoroughly in the evening.

In MV, the derma app is an element of telemedicine. What does it offer guests in the state?

Prof. Dr. Jünger: Telemedicine can currently only fulfill certain tasks, currently especially in the follow-up care of known patients. At the moment, the Derma-App is far from being available to every doctor in private practice and therefore only to a few patients. However, in MV and neighboring Brandenburg, doctors from 11 emergency outpatient clinics are now exchanging information with specialists from our skin clinic. This leads to qualitatively acceptable therapy decisions. But what the app does not provide, for example, is a remote diagnosis via a selfie sent in. Guests in the country are therefore unlikely to come across the Derma app.

For rheumatic diseases peat applications can provide relief, © TMV/H2F — ©© TMV/H2F

Natural Remedies and Therapies from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

The pier in Ahlbeck invites you to romantic evening walks, © TMV/Grundner — ©© TMV/Grundner

Spas

Skin diseases: Good to know!

For healthy skin

There are very different skin diseases that can manifest themselves with itching, rashes, hair loss, dry skin or other symptoms. The causes are just as varied. Basically, however, you can do the same things for healthy skin that are best for your health in general: maintain your normal weight, make sure you get plenty of exercise in the fresh air and eat a balanced diet. Avoid cigarettes and too much alcohol.

Protect children from UV radiation

Even though the sun promotes the body's own vitamin D production, be careful when spending time outdoors in the summer. Even in the shade, UV radiation still affects the skin in high concentrations. It is especially important for infants to protect their still particularly sensitive skin from direct sunlight. Even up to elementary school age, children are better off in the shade at the height of summer. The best sun protection for children is provided by light-proof clothing and linen headgear. In addition, creams, lotions or sprays with a sun protection factor of at least 30 are recommended for all uncovered parts of the skin.

Do not risk sunburn

If the skin is red and taut, cooling with water will provide initial relief. If blisters already appear, it is advisable to see a dermatologist. The specialist can assess how badly the sunburn has damaged the skin and which treatment is best suited. It is true that the skin is not forgiving. For even a healed sunburn can leave permanent damage if an injury to the basement membrane of the skin impairs cell regeneration or the hereditary repair systems. Those who consciously prevent sunburn can reduce their risk of developing skin cancer later.

Vitamin D and skin health

Sufficient sun is known to stimulate the body to produce vitamin D. When UV-B radiation hits the skin, it sets off a chemical process that forms vitamin D in the body. The "sun vitamin" strengthens the immune system and the entire organism, but also has an effect on skin health. For example, vitamin D contributes to the regeneration of skin cells and thus to wound healing. In the case of vitamin D deficiency, the skin loses elasticity, which can lead to dry skin or wrinkles, among other things. In addition, inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic eczema and acne can be treated with vitamin D to support skin healing.

"Clinically tested" equals "safe"?

Anyone who wants to prevent skin problems or care for already damaged skin will certainly pay attention to the label "clinically/dermatologically tested" when buying cosmetics. But does this really guarantee harmlessness? Rather not. In fact, there are no scientifically reliable guidelines for the well-known seal. Strictly speaking, it is therefore an advertising statement by the manufacturer. EU Regulation No. 655/2013 stipulates that the information on the product in question must be truthful, i.e. the ingredients listed must actually be contained. However, no framework is defined for the tests or studies mentioned for the product - e.g. regarding the number of participants or implementation - that would satisfy scientific standards from a medical perspective.

Derma app

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, doctors can use the Derma app for diagnosis, consultation and emergency medical care of skin diseases. Cooperation with specialists at Greifswald University Medical Center ensures high-quality specialist treatment. The interactive communication actively involves patients with skin diseases in the therapy by keeping an electronic diary for self-monitoring and sending photos in case of skin changes. This innovative treatment concept also saves patients travel and waiting times. In the future, the Derma app will be introduced in other German states.