Baby Alana Reid-Sochan from Knockraha, who has the severe form of the 'butterfly skin' disease EB (epidermolysis bullosa).

A Cork mother whose baby daughter has a rare and very painful skin condition is asking local people to help support her child by wearing a special butterfly tattoo this week.

Just 20 months old, Alana Reid-Sochan from Knockraha, has the severe form of the ‘butterfly skin’ disease EB (epidermolysis bullosa) which leaves most of her body covered in open wounds.

This incredibly painful genetic condition causes the skin layers and internal body linings to blister and wound at the slightest touch. One of only 300 people in Ireland with EB, Alana has to be bandaged almost from head to toe to protect her from everyday life.

“For a mother, the worst thing about EB is seeing your child suffering in horrendous pain and just not being able to fix it,” her mum Rachel Reid said.

Full story in this week’s Print & Digital Edition