Fighting against psoriasis: Veronika D. demands help against pain!

Fighting against psoriasis: Veronika D. demands help against pain!

Veronika D. has been struggling with the agonizing psoriasis arthritis, an illness that affects its joints and skin significantly. The pain is so intense that it sometimes has to go without shoes in winter. However, her greatest fear is the loss of her workplace as a delicatessen seller because her boss has announced: "If the rash comes back on the hands, I have to cancel you." For Veronika, the disease is not only a physical agony, but also a permanent worry load that determines its everyday life. Only the radon treatments in the healing tunnel of Bad Gastein brought their relief. "After the stay, I was completely symptom -free," Veronika recalls. However, the pension insurance institution (PVA) rejected the application for a new treatment after the symptoms returned, which now brings the case to the examination of the public prosecutor.

In a conversation with folk lawyer Bernhard Achitz, the need for such treatments was emphasized, since the PVA approval would also make financially useful in the long term: "For pension insurance, it is cheaper to pay the rehab when Veronika D. will be retired prematurely," said Achitz. This system is in the light of the latest knowledge of occupational diseases, since skin diseases, which also include Veronika's suffering, have to be recognized more and more often than occupational diseases. According to the German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV), skin diseases are one of the most frequently reported occupational diseases, especially in professions, where employees are often subject to dangerous substances.

topics of occupational diseases

skin diseases can have serious consequences, and the system of occupational diseases mentions a “omission compulsion”, which makes it difficult to receive support because they have to give up their profession to find recognition. The DGUV calls for the abolition of this coercion and recognizes the high number of professional skin diseases that primarily affects hairdressers, bricklayers and other craftsmen. In 2015, over 20,000 cases were confirmed, many of which were handexzeme from constant contact with water and chemical cleaning substances. In order to prevent work failures due to such diseases, prevention in the craft sector is of the utmost importance, which is a need for employers to provide suitable protective measures.

The challenges for employees and employers regarding skin protection are enormous. The skin is exposed to different loads every day, which can lead to allergies and chronic eczema. A well -thought -out skin protection plan, which includes the right protective gloves and regular hand care, is essential to minimize serious health risks. The situation of Veronika D. clearly illustrates how important it is to also respond to individual health concerns to ensure affected workers.

Additional details on touch and risk factors in craft professions can be read on dguv.de , while further information on the case of Veronika D. Treatment at 5min.at can be found.