Dede Kosawa is known as The Treeman. The young Indonesian man has epidermodysplasia verruciformis, an extremely rare skin disorder that results in the growth of scaly lesions and warts, particularly on the hands and feet. In Dede’s case, the thick carpet of warts on his hands and feet appear like bark of a tree.
In 2008, Dede had 13 lbs. of the warts removed from his body – on his hands (including horns that grew), and the smaller warts on his head, torso and feet. Dede’s surgery was documented by the Discovery Channel and TLC and presented as Treeman: Search for the Cure. The warts returned. Dede was told “he will need two surgeries a year for the rest of his life to keep them at bay.” He had another new surgery in 2011 to remove the regrown warts. But they continue to reemerge. According to The Jakarta Post: “Two doctors from Japan, affiliated with the Japanese Society for Complementary and Alternative Medicine came and brought Dede alternative medicine in powder form, made from coix seeds, or Job’s Tears. The medicine is still undergoing a lab test.” TLC will air the documentary Treeman: Dede Kosawa’s Journey on Monday, September 21 at 9pm.
