The Dragon In My Skin - spearheaded by Professor Fiona Cowdell and her Eczema Mindlines research project - encompasses a new children's book, animation, song and teacher pack, all designed to help improve teaching around eczema.
The book
The Dragon in My Skin is a story aimed at children aged 5 to 7 with eczema. It forms part of a National Institute for Health Research funded Eczema Mindlines study, led by Professor Fiona Cowdell.
Eczema Mindlines is committed to improving the treatment and management of the skin condition, which affects around 20% of children in the UK.
Through a programme of research and co-creation work with children living with eczema, healthcare professionals and other interested groups, Fiona developed five key messages about eczema treatment and self-care for children, to share widely in an easy-to-understand, attractive and accessible format.
Writer Hazel Gould and illustrator Jay Nolan-Latchford adapted these key messages about eczema care into words and pictures, which evolved into The Dragon in My Skin story. The mythical creature at its centre acts as a metaphor for the condition with the moral of the tale being that rather than fighting the ‘dragon’ living within their skin and making it angry, children should try to tame the beast, become its friend and so live a happier life.