[Rehabilitation of Children and Adolescents with Chronic Skin Diseases]

Chronic skin diseases are a common indication for inpatient rehabilitation in children and adolescents. Atopic eczema and psoriasis play the most important role. But other rare congenital dermatoses such as ichthyoses or epidermolysis bullosa can also be rehabilitated. Patients with skin diseases are often considerably stigmatized and report a limited quality of life and participation. The somatic and psychosocial development of the children is also often severely affected by severe forms of the diseases. The concept of inpatient rehabilitation is, on the one hand, the development of an individually adapted topical therapy plan, which often follows a step concept and is adapted to the severity of the skin symptoms. On the other hand, the disease management of children and affected families is promoted. Specific skills such as dealing with itching, learning of cream and dressing techniques, as well as the targeted application of medical baths with suitable additives are taught and practiced. In addition, the motivation for an adapted dealing with the disease and specific resources is promoted in order to comply better with the considerable psychosocial burdens.The results after the rehabilitation show, depending on the basic disease, not only an improved skin condition but also an improved quality of life and participation.