Your questions on children's health as they return to school have been answered by Livi's expert, Dr Rhianna McClymont

[JustineBMumsnet]

Please note, questions have been answered and the expert is no longer available to answer new questions.

With the much-anticipated return to school now a reality, many parents have concerns about their children’s health. Whether your concerns are typical of any year or related to the effect of coronavirus, Dr Rhianna McClymont - Livi’s Lead GP - is here to help answer your questions.

Here’s some more info about Dr Rhianna McClymont: “Dr McClymont achieved a First Class Honours in Medicine. She then hit the ground running, carrying out medical, surgical and paediatric training at a number of prestigious London teaching hospitals, before specialising in General Practice. She has worked in a GP surgery in North London, and taken roles in urgent care settings, health-assessment clinics, and a digital healthcare company. Today, she works for Livi as a Lead GP as well as giving her time to the NHS.”

Here’s what Livi has to say: “If you’re a busy parent, being able to get medical advice quickly when one of your family is ill can be a real lifeline. Livi lets you see a registered GP quickly by video, at a time and place that suits you. Appointments are available seven days a week – usually within minutes, or you can book up to a week in advance. Our friendly, professional GPs can give you medical advice and prescriptions for a wide range of symptoms. You can use Livi for your children aged between 2 and 16 years old. Just register your child through the app and get instant access to medical advice when they’re feeling unwell – all without leaving home.”

So whether you’re worried about your little one’s skin rash, allergies or possible exposure to COVID-19 back at school, ask Dr McClymont your questions about children’s health.

Dr McClymont will be back between 16th and 21st September to answer your questions.

All who share a question on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw where three lucky Mumsnet users will each win a £100 Amazon voucher.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

*Please note this thread does not constitute personal medical advice, and please do not disclose personal health information on this forum. You should always speak to a GP/healthcare professional in person for advice specific to your situation.

Perhaps a boring one but... my son has had a wart for over a year. It is on his thumb and didn’t want it treated at first. We have now treated it three times with an OTC freezing kit but it hasn’t worked at all. I called the GP but they don’t treat warts anymore and the pharmacist said that OTC likely won’t work. What do we do now? Will a dermatologist look at it? He really wants it gone now.

Is it worth getting the chicken pox vaccination? I'm seriously considering, especially to prevent further time off nursery/school over this winter with likely covid self isolation.

Should children have the fu jab this year?

I am concerned about the mental health of my child given the constant bad news and impact to everyday life. Do you have any general advice?

Obviously DC have already missed quite a bit of school due to lockdown, is there anything extra I should be doing to help them avoid colds/bugs so they don't need any more time off?

I thought I had Covid back in June - had all of the symptoms lack of taste, dry cough and aches - it did go within 10 days thankfully - My DS had no symptoms (I did isolate) If he had it asymptomatically - can I get a test for this ?

Are there any side affects of hand sanitiser, both on the skin and if they ingest some when sanitising before eating a packed lunch ? My DS has sore hands as a result - and I am looking for an alternative ?

Is there any truth in the belief that letting a child sit in their wet clothes for hours will lead to them catching a cold?

Do you think children should routinely take vitamin D? My DD13 had blood tests which identified low vitamin D which was a shock as we are outdoorsy sorts but I guess she's often covered up. Obviously she takes vitamin D now but I'm wondering if she should have before.

I'm worried about the level of stress my daughter is showing. She has only been back to school for three days and for two of those shes come home feeling sick. Shes more withdrawn now that what she was is lockdown. I'm not sure if it's to do with the nerves of going back to school after lockdown or because she has entered year nine (start of GCSE work here) . Is it worth seeing her g.p Or riding it out for another few weeks?

How do we reassure kids about this ‘scary virus’ and that it’s okay for them to go about their daily lives without fear (but within the guidelines to keep everyone safe)

My DD is back at secondary school. It's a large school and whilst they are in year bubbles during school hours, many pupils gather in mixed groups after school surely undoing all the precautions. How do I and my DD come to terms with this risk. We are not health compromised but do not want to catch COVID.

How do we meals masks 'less scary" for younger children? My DS finds them terrifying.

My DD has a lifelong neurological condition but we haven't been told by our GP or any other NHS professional that she's at particularly high risk of having Covid. Since she's gone back to secondary school it's clear there's no social distancing between the children at all and year groups are just mixing as usual at breaks and lunch. They don't need masks other than just in a few lessons.

I'm not sure if I should be specially concerned about her health or not and whether I should be speaking to the school?

@MonetManet

How do we meals masks 'less scary" for younger children? My DS finds them terrifying.

I meant masks, not meals 😂

My DD is 8 years old and had Covid in March. She's had 'long covid' as I have I. She is still suffering from awful fatigue daily plus chest pains and heart pains and palpitations on any exertion. I am concerned about her returning to school as we have not been able to obtain an antibody test and she is not yet at full health. My main concern is her catching it again after 6 months spent recovering from round one. What would you advise? Just to add before Covid she had no pre-existing conditions.

My 5 year old has been complaining about a pain in her eyes. I have taken her to the doctor and an opthalmic specialist at the optician who both say there is nothing obvious they can see. Now back at school she has started to complain about a pain in her eyes. Could this be eye strain, tiredness or sinusitis? Should I ask for a second opinion. Many thanks.

How do I know when to take my daughter to the doctors for ear pain? Sometimes it seems to go away on its own, sometimes lasts for days. I struggle as I can't see anything obviously wrong, like you can with inflamed tonsils for example!

When do I need to test my child for covid? My daughter has been off school with really high temp, headaches and sore throat. Her support worker has been at hospital yesterday with her baby with suspected tonsillitis but they have tested her for covid so awaiting results? Should my daughter get tested or am I ok to ride it through till temp goes?

My teenage daughter’s ears got blocked with earwax for the first time during lockdown. The doctor managed to remove the wax but had to do it manually as the equipment they normally use hadn’t been delivered. She has been told to put olive oil in her ears once a week. Is there anything else she can do to help? Do earphones make it worse as she wears them more than I want her to? Thanks.

Obviously now back at schools in bubbles, 3 days in and my daughters off as her teacher has COVID. I feel this is going to happen regularly within the school, she is only 6 how can I reassure her in an age appropriate manner that if she follows the guidelines washing hands etc that she is unlikely to become unwell, I can see she is starting to become troubled by it all.

If a confirmed COVID case is reported at a school what is the protocol. Does it depend on size of school, will there be testing?

What do you suggest to help a teenager with acne that is aggravated by constantly having to wear a mask?

My 14yo DD with autism will not cope with a Covid-19 test if required. (I’ve had one, I know there’s no way I’ll get her to do one unless unconscious.) Is there an alternative? If not, and she (or anyone else in the household) ever has suspected Covid-19, what do we do?

My DS went back to school on Monday. I've already kept him home today with a streaming nose (which kept him awake last night). There's no cough or fever so I guess I could technically have sent him in but it feels counter productive to send a child in when you know they're just going to spread germs. He already takes vitamins, has a healthy enough diet and will (obv) be doing all the hand washing and distancing because of Covid. Is there anything else we can do to minimise these "ordinary" bugs or do we just need to accept that school is going to be ridiculously disjointed over winter?