Health · Mental Health · 14 hrs ago
Young man in Switzerland lives with severe, painful skin condition
Joel Kanthak, 20, lives with severe hidradenitis suppurativa in Dübendorf, Switzerland, a chronic skin condition that causes abscesses, open wounds and painful inflammation.
He says the illness began to affect him three years ago, and some days the pain is so strong he cannot get up or move between rooms.
Gaming gives him a break from the pain, and he also finds comfort in his pets and support from friends and family.
The condition keeps him at home much of the time, and he avoids swimming pools because he feels ashamed of his skin.
His recent operation left a wound that still needs to heal, and he hopes to work again on better days.
His father has started a fundraiser for wound dressings and an electrically adjustable bed, which could make sleeping easier; the family says insurance covers medication but not all wound supplies.
Joel hopes medical treatment will improve and urges others with symptoms to see a doctor, while his immediate recovery depends on the wound healing.
Joel Kanthak, 20, from Dübendorf, Switzerland, has a severe form of acne inversa that causes painful inflammation, abscesses and open wounds.
Some days, pain makes it difficult for him to move even between rooms.
He says gaming helps him forget the pain, and he looks forward to the release of GTA 6.
His family has started a fundraising campaign for items including wound dressings and an adjustable electric bed.
Joel hopes to work again on good days after recovering from a recent operation.
- Who
- Joel Kanthak, 20, from Dübendorf, and his family.
- What
- Joel lives with a severe form of acne inversa that causes painful inflammation, abscesses and open wounds. His father has started a fundraiser for supplies and an adjustable electric bed.
- When
- The condition became noticeable three years ago. Joel was recently operated on.
- Where
- Dübendorf, Switzerland.
- Why
- The chronic condition causes severe pain and limits Joel’s movement. His family is raising money because wound dressings are not fully covered by health insurance and an adjustable bed would help him.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Joel’s chronic skin condition became noticeable.
Joel underwent an operation, and the wound still needs to heal.
Joel hopes to work again on good days.
- Age
- 20
- Home
- Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Condition
- Severe acne inversa
- Condition duration
- Became noticeable three years ago
- Fundraiser goal
- Wound dressings and an adjustable electric bed
- Requested amount
- 2,000 or 3,000 Swiss francs
What people are saying
Während des Gamens vergesse ich die Schmerzen.
Als ich die Diagnose erhielt und erfuhr, dass ich mein Leben lang damit leben muss, wurde mir der Boden unter den Füssen weggerissen.
2000 oder 3000 Franken wären schon cool.