Rachel Has Eczema

Rachel Rhino and her family have just moved house and are having lunch with the Frog family, their new neighbours. Rachel has sore, red patches on her face and body. While the other children are encouraged to play in the garden, Mrs Rhino discourages Rachel, explaining that running around makes her skin sore and itchy. She’s not allowed to go swimming with the others because of her skin condition. When Mrs Frog meets up with her friend Mrs Hippo, she suggests that Harriet Hippo may like to play with Rachel. But Mrs Hippo is not keen for fear Harriet may ‘catch Rachel’s bad skin’ (Mrs Frog says she doesn’t think it is contagious). Mrs Frog’s son admits he doesn’t like looking at Rachel because she’s red and scaly and scratches all the time. Mrs Frog feels sorry for Rachel and goes for a chat with her mum. Mrs Rhino tearfully explains how how Rachel can’t sleep at night as she’s so sore, and she’s worried about her starting school in case she is teased. They go and visit Doctor Spot, who diagnoses Eczema and explains a little about the condition and how it can be treated with special emollients and wraps. Rachel is delighted when the doctor says she can go swimming. The family start to use the wet wrapping on Rachel’s skin at night and she feels cool and not itchy, and sleeps peacefully through the night. Her Eczema begins to improve and she starts school, and is delighted when she meets Gina the Giraffe who also has Eczema. Rachel giggles at the thought of all the bandages Gina might need to wrap up her long neck!