Do you have a question about children’s health? Ask Dr. Pixie McKenna here and you could win a £150 Love2Shop voucher! ANSWERS NOW BACK

[AnnMumsnet]

Dr. Pixie McKenna is here to answer any questions you may have on children's health, specifically cold and flu, fever, teething and earache. As a mum of one to daughter Darcey, Pixie is more than a medical expert – she's a parent who's had first-hand experience looking after her own child and is here to share her top tips and advice.

Here’s a little bit more about Dr. Pixie:

Dr. Pixie has strong family background of medicine (she is the third generation of doctors in her family!) and has a lifetime of knowledge with over 13 years medical experience since qualifying. She's currently a practising GP at London’s Harley Street.

Post your questions to Dr. Pixie by the 1 February 2016 and we will pick 20 for her to respond to. Everyone who posts a question will be entered into a prize draw where one lucky Mumsnetter will win a £150 Love2Shop voucher. A link to her responses will be posted by 29th February 2016.

Please note, Dr. Pixie is here to give advice but cannot mention, discuss or endorse any brands or products.

This Q&A is sponsored by Nurofen for Children.

Thanks,

MNHQ.

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[KateOxford]

Please can you tell me if I should give my children medicine when they have a fever; I normally do as I worry that a high temperature is dangerous for them however, have recently read that parents shouldn't give children for fever alone if the child has no other symptoms. My daughter is 2 so it is often hard for her to communicate any other symptoms unless we can visibly see them. Thank you.

[Dessallara]

My daughter was really good at potty training, and was sleeping without wetting her bed for quiet a long time. But suddenly she started wetting bed every single night, it's going on for a few months now, we almost never have any dry nights. Should we be concerned? She's 3 years old.

[LeeR1985]

Do you know of any good ways to determine when a child actually has a headache compared to when they say they do because they don't want to do something?

[Doublebubblebubble]

Ds is 15 weeks and had bronchiolitis at 7 weeks in December. He was hospitalised for 2 nights, Ng fed and required oxygen. When we were discharged I was told to expect the cough and "wheeze" to last for a few weeks but it hasn't become any better. He is still weeing and pooping and is a very happy, smiley baby but I don't like that it has been going on for as long as it has (I understand that the whether wont be helping) is this normal for bronchiolitis??

Also, DD7, had pneumonia this month. She became ill 4/1/16, was hospitalised 10/1/16 and discharged 14/1/16, she was put on I.v antibiotics and is better although her asthma has decided to start playing up so her consultant has put her on montelukast, atrovent, clenil and ventolin. She has a plan and takes the monty in the morning. Anyway her behaviour has changed and I don't know what to do to help her. Could it be part down to what happened when she was in hospital (she had a very traumatic canula insertion) or all of the medication. X

[Doublebubblebubble]

I'm exhausted just looking at it all as well as literally

[Doublebubblebubble]

*weather

[beehummingbird]

Hi Dr Pixie, what are some symptoms to look out for?

[SheldonsSpotOnTheCouch]

Hi Dr Pixie

Is it deemed counter productive to treat a fever when that's the only symptom of illness? I understand that fever is the body's way of killing germs so is it advisable to let them run their course without offering paracetamol/ibuprofen? I tend to always give medication for a temperature but I've heard the argument that unless there's accompanying pain, or the fever is over 39, it would be left to let the body do the work.

[2016ismyyear]

Those of you suffering with growing pains we've found good Epsom salts - like westlab and magnesium spray really good. Paed Dr took me they absolutely are real after pharmacist was rudely dismissive.


My question is.
My child 4 has recently been in hospital with a nasty infection. She has finished IV antibiotics. We still don't know what it was - possibly viral. Any ideas on how to build her back up. Been recommended Opti bac probiotics by friends but are these things worthwhile?

[cheryl100]

I would love to know how I can prevent my son from getting threadworms again please?

[Marg2k8]

Do you have any tips on getting older children to be able to swallow tablets? I have a teenage son who still cannot do this.

[Pinter]

At what age can children blow their nose?

[marshgirl]

My daughter is 13 years old and every night without fail she sleep talks. this isn't a major concern but we do hear her shouting out quite angrily . This isn't disturbing her sleep pattern but we just wondered why this happens ?

[castleton]

Do you recommend having all the vaccinations

[SuzCG]

My 9 year old son complains with alarming regularity about getting really painful cramp in his legs. Is this real? Is it normal or could it indicate something else? Should I get it checked out by our GP? Thanks, x

[captaincake]

Hello, can you tell me about heart rates in toddlers please? My 1year old's heart rate is a minimum of around 100 when asleep but when awake hovers around 120-150. When ill 170ish I am concerned it's a bit too fast. Thank you.

[beckyinman]

Hi Dr Pixie, my six month old niece is about twice the size of all the other babies her age and is in the 95th% - should we be worried?

[captaincake]

Hi, another question about height. When you use the centiles that use the parents height DS should be about 75th but he is 9th. Also, his weight is 75th. Would this be a concern?

[Clairescottshug]

I have a newborn daughter, all 3 of my children have had sticky gunky eyes when young babies. Is there anything I can do to prevent it happening?

[TattieHowkerz]

My four year old daughter gets a cold every month in winter. Is this normal or should I be doing something to try to strengthen her resistance?

[Nettie17]

How can you prevent nits?

[StandUnderMyUmbrella]

My daughter has the dreaded Viral Wheeze which seems so common! I have always given her the blue inhaler as soon as she develops any kind of cough, as this seems to help it stop getting worse and making her wheeze?

Is this ok to give the inhaler as freely as this?

[angiehoggett]

Have you any tips on sleep routines, my little one is terrified of the dark and we've tried night lights, sleeping in her room with her but nothing works.

[emmamed123]

I have got an underactive thyroid (diagnosed 4.5 years ago) can it be passed onto my children? I ask as my brother has it too.