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Ask Dr. Pixie McKenna your Q about children's health in winter and you could win a £150 Love2Shop voucher! ANSWERS NOW BACK

198 replies

AnnMumsnet · 21/11/2016 09:39

As we head into the colder months, sniffles and sneezes may become more common. Courtesy of Nurofen for Children, we’ve teamed up with Dr. Pixie McKenna who is on hand to answer your questions on keeping your children healthy this winter, specifically looking at colds and flu, fever and sleep difficulties. As well as being a medical expert, Pixie is also a mother so she’s had first-hand experience of looking after her own child and is here to share her top tips and advice with you.

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

Pixie comes from a family background of medicine, being the third generation of doctors in her family. She has over 13 years of medical experience since qualifying and is currently a practising GP at London’s Harley Street.

Post your questions to Dr. Pixie by the 27th November 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 4 January.

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. Nurofen for Children 3 months- 9 years. Contains Ibuprofen. Always Read the label

UK/NfC/1016/0053

Thanks,

MNHQ.

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Ask Dr. Pixie McKenna your Q about children's health in winter and you could win a £150 Love2Shop voucher! ANSWERS NOW BACK
OP posts:
Sammyislost · 23/11/2016 13:48

Something I never thought about before, but should pain relief medication for children such as ibruprofen and paracetamol products only be given with food? I've often heard it said with adult medication 'Take with food' or not to take on an empty stomach.

Thanks pixie and mumsnet

TheFlounder · 23/11/2016 18:53

My DS has terrible (looks like a burn victim when it flares) eczema and is on a steroid cream. How do I find the balance between keeping his skin good enough that he is comfortable but not risk thinning his skin? It's getting worse with winter.

PorridgeAgainAbney · 23/11/2016 19:59

My 3 year old has asthma and I hear conflicting advice about whether I should keep the heating on at night because breathing cold, damp air aggravates the airways, or keep it off because warm dry air does the same thing! What is the best atmosphere for him to sleep in?

MrsOllyMurs · 24/11/2016 09:34

My 10 year old hates blowing his nose and is constantly bunged up. Any tips?

Strawclutching · 24/11/2016 13:38

How do you encourage toddlers to take medicine? Mine used to live it but was sick recently while taking it and now she's convinced it makes her sick.

LynseyH · 24/11/2016 13:53

Is there really a way to boost immunity? For example, do vitamins really help?

pinkunicornsarefluffy · 24/11/2016 14:07

What is the best thing for a blocked nose when your child won't blow their nose? Currently put Olbas Oil on a tissue.

WowOoo · 24/11/2016 18:14

My question has been asked but it's about wearing coats.

I'm starting to sound like my mother and my nana but my son insists he's 'fine' when i try to get him to put his coat on. I keep telling him he'll catch a cold and get ill. Is there truth in it? If I can tell him that a doctor said so he might even put a coat on!

OldBooks · 24/11/2016 18:37

Another one wondering when to go to the GP, especially with persistent coughing. My daughter has a cough that just will not fully go away. She coughs so much at night that she vomits. The cough seems mucousy and productive yet the GP says her chest is clear. I therefore assume it is croup? Is there anything I can do to help her? Her baby sister has now started the barking cough too Confused

Coffeechick · 24/11/2016 19:25

Is there anything you can recommend to keep facial skin moisturised and protected in this cold weather and heating in a child with eczema

KarenCBC · 24/11/2016 22:25

My toddler has had a cough and cold for weeks now. Its definitely not serious but at what point, if ever, do I take him to the doctor just to check it out. I'v been leaving it but my mum keeps commenting. I just don't want to waste a doctor's time.

Whoateallthecheese · 25/11/2016 19:54

Apart from hand washing and adhering to the 48h rule of no contact, is there anything that can be done to prevent - or at least protect against - stomach bugs?

farmergirl29 · 25/11/2016 22:12

Is it best to keep my little girl (15 months) in when she is full of cold? When I have a cold I like to get out for a walk and fresh air but I don't know whether I am better to keep her in and warm.

Sweepingchange · 25/11/2016 23:00

Would you recommend that a 13 yr old girl has a flu jab? She is in good general health but growing like a week and has a very rigorous school regime (continental Europe) - if she misses one or two days through illness it is very difficult to catch up. I would very much appreciate your advice; thank you! (I was also wondering whether or not having flu jabs during adolescence prevents natural immunity developing.)

GuessHowMuchILoveGin · 26/11/2016 00:56

Does anything really work for mouth ulcers in children? I suffered awfully with these as a child and noticed DS had one the other day which looked really painful.

I used to be advised to put salt on them... But is waiting and a diet of ice cream all that can be done?

libra101 · 26/11/2016 06:51

I heard recently that research has now found a way to cure the common cold: is this true?

essexchic · 26/11/2016 06:51

Hi, My toddler has had a heavy cold for over a week now, he has a wheezy chest and cough and runny nose, been giving calpol. snuffle babe, vapour plug ins, the trouble is he is also teething so off food just drinking milk, do you think he needs to be seen by GP? or is there anything else i can do?

ThemisA · 26/11/2016 06:59

I have always been terrified of croup - is there a fall proof cure?

ricola1 · 26/11/2016 07:03

One of my daughters always develops a cough once I start using the heating. What can I do to prevent this?

tammypark50 · 26/11/2016 07:03

Hi,

My partner's little boy has had a persistent cough for a number of months. We took him to an out of hours doctor who suspected asthma, but hs own doctor states that he does not believe this to be what it is. His mother states that he does not cough when in her care (he states otherwise), but he coughs persistently when with us regardless as to where he is, so we don't think it's environmental. Any ideas what this could be and do we need another opinion?

Lisapaige24 · 26/11/2016 07:14

What's the best temperature to keep a bedroom when sleeping as my son has asthma .when the weather is bad and he gets a chest infection or a cold . I have the heating on but he gets too hot and finds it hard to breathe but if I turn it off and it gets too cold he also finds it hard to breathe I have been told to keep the room at a certain temperature to help him but not sure what that is and whether this will help ?

easterlywinds · 26/11/2016 07:34

My dd is now 10 and, although she has been exposed to the virus several times, she has never had chicken pox. Do you think it's worth getting her vaccinated. Or should we assume that she already has immunity?

vonniebab2 · 26/11/2016 07:34

What is the best way to treat a toddler with a sore throat

barbsbarbs · 26/11/2016 07:38

Dear Dr Pixie my children seem to get chest infections every winter without fail, is there anything I can do to boost their immunity and to avoid these. thanks

cheryl100 · 26/11/2016 07:48

My sons feet have started peeling. They don't look infected so I wondered what this is?