Fish Skin Transforms Burn Recovery for Patients Like Erwin Schatt

A revolutionary medical treatment using fish skin has transformed recovery for severe burn victims like Erwin Schatt. The technique, developed by Icelandic company Kerecis, uses cod skin to speed up healing, ease pain, and reduce scarring. Its success has spread globally, with hospitals across Europe now adopting the method after high-profile cases like the 2020 Crans-Montana fire.

Erwin Schatt's life changed on May 7, 2021, when a workplace accident left him with severe burns. He spent over seven months in intensive care at Zurich University Hospital, where doctors used fish skin grafts to treat his injuries. The cod skin, sourced from Kerecis in Iceland, mimics human skin and acts as a natural scaffold for tissue regeneration.

The treatment gained wider attention after the 2020 New Year's Eve fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which injured 116 people. Iceland's Coast Guard transported the fish skin to the UK for processing, and it was later distributed to clinics in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, and the UK. Leading medical centres, including CHUV Clinic in Lausanne and Süd Clinic in Nuremberg, now regularly use the method. Specialists like Saziye Karaca in Geneva have also adopted it for burn care.

Kerecis produces the fish skin grafts specifically for global burn treatment. The material's biological compatibility with human tissue helps wounds heal faster while cutting down on pain and long-term scarring.

The fish skin treatment has become a standard option in burn units across Europe. Patients like Schatt benefit from shorter recovery times and fewer complications. Hospitals continue to integrate the method, making it a key advancement in modern burn care.