Category Archives: Case Studies

Dr Tirant first started to treat Kristina in May 2003, due to her young age, the condition proved to be a little more complex in that many of the orals were unsuitable in strength for her, or made her sick. As the year progressed her tolerance of the orals improved and it was agreed to bring her out to Australia for the eight week intensive treatment program.

Below is a transcript from a local newspaper.

August 23, 2004

Relief More Than Skin Deep – by Geoff Edwards

With courtesy to reproduce the article from Geoff Edwards and the Editor of the Standard Leader, Frankston, VIC, Australia.

Kristina E….’s smile has always belied the rare skin disorder that has brought her halfway around the world to Frankston in search of a cure.

After six weeks of examination and treatment, the Hungarian four-year-old’s once bright-red, dry scaly skin has become a red-brown and smoother.

According to Frankston research doctor and specialist Dr Michael Tirant, Kristina’s eyes still weep and cannot close.

And any sudden gripping of an object tears her skin.

But walking is less painful, and tickle the brown haired child and she grins with a white flash of teeth.

At such an early age, and surrounded by accepting kinder friends at home in P……, outside Budapest, Kristina is still oblivious to the cruel fun being poked at her by other who see her as different.

Her Mother, Elena, and three brothers who accompanied her to Frankston early last month and Dr Tirant agree – Kristina’s condition has improved significantly.

Dr Tirant described Kristina’s case of Ichthyosis as severe”.

But when Kristina met the press last Tuesday, the improvement was apparent compared with the pre-treatment photographs of her affliction.

Giving her relief is a mixture of herbs and oils. It is a combination similar to that used by the Frankston Psoriasis & Skin Clinic on another Hungarian Ichthyosis sufferer in Dec, 2002. The condition of the then seven-year-old Andras K…. was worse and seemingly condemned him to a life of reclusion, self-consciousness, pain and minimal activity. Hungarian television covered the “crocodile boy” case.

Dr Tirant said the once-sad little boy has shown much improvement and was “about 90 % cleared up”.

Dr Tirant visits Hungary three times a year and more patients may follow Kristina from Europe to Frankston.

“Kristina is a happy little soul who can walk, but she knows she is not well” he said.

Through an interpreter, Mrs E…… said her husband, Jozsef, a furniture factory worker, phoned regularly for updates about Kristina.

PLEASE NOTE THAT:- ICTHYOSIS CANNOT BE CURED, BUT AS ATTESTED TO BY THESE PHOTOGRAPHS – MANAGEMENT CAN BE ATTAINED .

Dr Tirant first started to treat Andras mid 2002, when the condition of Andras’s skin made it extremely difficult for the young boy to move at all without splitting his skin in several places.

Prior to any consideration being given to Andras coming to Australia for intensive treatment, he had to undergo several months of basic treatment so that the skin “shell” could be softened and removed to a certain degree.

Andras first came to Australia late 2002/early 2003 undergoing testing to various ointments, herbal tonics and trialing the Treatment Regime to find the best treatment that he responded to.

Andras came again to Australia, in early 2004. As he was older it was decided to introduce certain Dr Michaels oral medications to further assist his immune system and internal functions.

Below is a transcript from a local newspaper. Andras also appeared on SBS (Special Broascasting Service) television in the Hungarian news about the same time that this article was written.

February 2003

Doc’s magic more than skin deep – by Geoff Edwards

With courtesy to reproduce the article from Geoff Edwards and the Editor of the Standard Leader, Frankston, VIC, Australia.

A sad little boy who hid from the world because of his crocodile-like skin has been given a new hope by a peninsula skin-disorder clinic. Seven year old Hungarian Andras Kiss had led a miserable life after being born with a rare, severe and painful skin disorder, Ichthyosis.

Hungary television’s appeal for medical help for Andras had brought no relief, until last year. Frankston doctor Michael Tirant, 47, saw the latest TV report on Andras’ plight in a Hungary hotel room while visiting the country’s hospitals. Dr Tirant agreed to examine the boy and try treatments being used or developed by the national network of his Frankston research clinic, the Psoriasis and Skin Clinic.

“I’d never seen anything like it,” Dr Tirant said of the cowering boy.

Andras’ skin had long turned from white to black, and Dr Tirant said it resembled scaly crocodile skin. Pain stiffened Andras as he removed his clothes for examination. Left virtually immobile and unable to grasp objects, just about any movement tested his courage.

Dr Tirant said Andras’ affliction was so devastating, he did not attend school or mix with his peers.

Dermatologists in four European countries had failed to manage Andras’ symptoms. But Dr Tirant said Andras showed some improvement during two weeks of head-to-toe application of various topical treatments. Before Dr Tirant returned to Australia, a dermatology professor appealed to him… ”You’ve got nothing to lose. Try to help Andras.”

Subsequently, Andras, his family and an interpreter stayed in Frankston for eight with the boy showing “remarkable” improvement from the continued treatment.

“Andras’ skin is much smoother, less dry and fissures in his hands and feet are healed,” Dr Tirant said.

“Let me make it clear: We cannot cure it. But we are hoping to give him relief and a better life. ” Dr Tirant said.

Before leaving Frankston, a smiling Andras appeared with other youngsters and kicked a football on Long Island beach.

Andras also counted aloud, one to 20 in English. He was determined to learn the language. “He did it for me,” Dr Tirant said.

PLEASE NOTE THAT:- ICTHYOSIS CANNOT BE CURED, BUT AS ATTESTED TO BY THESE PHOTOGRAPHS – MANAGEMENT CAN BE ATTAINED