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

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*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.

@Jayneyejroyle

My daughter is 2.5years old and has had molluscum for around 8months now. I have contacted my GP about it and he confirmed what I’d researched (that it can take up to 18months but it will clear on its own) but is there anything that can be used to ease soreness/itching as some of the spots get quite large and she catches them. Thank you 😊

A general skin moisturizer may help with soreness or itching. You might also like to consider Molludab, which can be bought over the counter and can speed resolution of molluscum lesions particularly if they are large and are bothering her. You are correct however; the lesions are likely to resolve on their own given enough time!

@ZeeJay

Have a child with eczema and having some problems with dry skin/sensitivity due to use of alcohol hand gel. Any advice on avoiding this.

Frequent hand washing, particularly with soap, and frequent use of hand sanitizer can dry out the skin and make it more likely to become cracked and sore. With a child with pre-existing eczema the effects of hand washing and sanitizer will be even more pronounced. Unfortunately, there is no effective alternative as it is necessary to sanitize the hands to prevent the spread of the virus. It becomes even more important therefore to make sure that your child is using a good eczema moisturizer. I would recommend moisturizing at least 5-6 times a day plus after hand washing for a child with hand eczema. If the skin remains very inflamed despite good moisturizer use, then your child may require treatment with a steroid cream for a short duration to calm the eczema flare.

@daisy913

Hi! Thank you for this opportunity!

My 5 year old son has had a wart issue for the past 2 years now, he's very active and clean, doesn't touch them and they don't bother him. However they are unsightly and with attending school as of last September, he has become self conscious. There was only 2 to start with and they all seen to be only on his right hand. We went to see the doctor last September and was told they will go, however fast forward to this april and they had spread all over his fingers, knuckles and sides of nails....we tried a child wart freeze over the counter treatment, but it only died down their obviousness. We have done 3 treatments but not really achieving removal. What can we do? Are there any treatments/things I can do to help him remove them?

Many thanks!

Although irritating, most warts will disappear spontaneously within a few years. If you haven’t already, it is certainly worth trying over the counter treatments such as salicylic acid from a pharmacy. It sounds old-fashioned, but duct tape can also work wonders! Apply a piece of duct tape to the wart so that it completely covers the area and leave it in place for a week. Remove, and file down gently with an emery board and then replace the duct tape for a further week. You’ll need to continue this for approximately 4-6 weeks. It works even better when combined with salicylic acid treatment in addition.

@sharond101

My child's skin breaks out when she uses hand gel. It becomes red, inflamed and flaky. How can I protect or treat it?

Frequent hand washing, particularly with soap, and frequent use of hand sanitizer can dry out the skin and make it more likely to become red, dry, cracked and sore. I would recommend using a good emollient (moisturizer) cream after every hand wash and at various times throughout the day to keep the skin in good condition. Moisturising approximately three times a day in addition to after hand-washing should be sufficient for a child without eczema. A pharmacist should be able to help you choose a product suitable for you as there are many different and effetive products avaliable.

@LITTLEMUTLEY23

My daughter is in year 9. She had her 1st hpv vaccination last year but the 2rd was cancelled due to covid. What does this mean? Will she need to have the first vaccination again?

The second HPV vaccine is usually given 6-24months after the first vaccine so there should not be a problem. The second vaccine should be rearranged for within 2years of the first.

@Annieuk75

I have been shielding since Mid March with my husband and 3 children. Since August, we have been trying to get back to normal and all 3 children have returned to school this week. How cautious should I be when they come home? Currently they change their clothes and wash their hands. Should I take more precautions? Can I still kiss them when I pick them up?

I am sure this must be very worrying and stressful for you, and can understand that the return to school is particularly difficult for a family that were previously shielded. There is no right or wrong answer here and it comes down to your individual acceptance of risk. Kissing and hugging your children may put you at very very slightly higher risk, but at the same time they are your children and emotional and mental health needs for you and for them are very important. By maintaining social distance from non-household members, making sure your children social distance at school, changing clothes when they arrive home, hand-washing, mask-wearing and generally being cautious you are doing all you can to mitigate your risk as much as possible.

@purpleclaire

My daughter is almost 8 but her forehead is very pimply, especially around her hairline. She is very conscious of it and other children have made unkind comments. I make sure she washes it properly and have treated it with Sudocrem and Savlon. Can you suggest what would help?

It may be the very beginnings of acne as children as young as 8 can develop this. However, it is very difficult to say for certain without having seen a picture of it or examined her. You may wish to try some over the counter benzoyl peroxide, which can be bought from pharmacies. This works as an antiseptic and is very good for combatting the bacteria which causes mild acne. However, it would probably be best to send a picture to your GP or book an appointment for her so she can be clinically assessed first.

@helcrai

Children have to come off school and isolate if they exhibit Covid 19 symptoms, potentially losing a lot of education time. Is there are way to distinguish what would be a common cold or virus, which children usually get around this time of year, from Covid?

I am afraid the only way is the covid-19 swab test. Children often exhibit very mild symptoms of covid-19 which could mimic a cold. Any new temperature, new continuous cough or new loss of taste and smell in a child requires a covid test. Unfortunately, it is likely that many households will have to quarantine as their children contract normal childhood coughs, colds and temperatures – and this will be particularly common over winter

@Hopezibah

Do parents have any rights whatsoever to keep their children off school because of COVID safety concerns without the threat of being fined? As the virus is known to be airborne i.e. aerosol transmission as well as transmitted via droplets and fomites, the school risk assessments rarely take that into consideration and I don't think any school can fully mitigate the risks of covid. I firmly believe that for the safety, wellbeing and mental health of the child and family, that parent's should get the final choice of whether school is safe enough. There is so much variation school to school. So do parent's have any rights to keep their children safe at home without having to deregister to home educate?

As far as I am aware, no. I believe your options are to either follow your child’s individual school rules or to remove them from the school system and home-school.

@Nosnogginginthekitchen

Other than medicating is there a course of treatment (CBT etc) that can help kids with ADHD that I could ask my GP about? My 8 year old is recently diagnosed but I'm feeling very 'out on my own' with the treatment plan thanks to lockdown.

Services for ADHD can vary per area, therefore it is best to simply ask your GP about the treatment/clinic availabilities where you live. If your child is also struggling with mental health problems relating to the ADHD then psychological therapies like CBT may be considered – this would be under a specialist child mental health services program.

@WowOoo

Do you think it's wise to start giving my children Vitamin D capsules as the days get darker? I've think it's beneficial and can't do any harm but DH disagrees and they are quite pricey.

Adults, and children from the age of 1, need 10micrograms of vitamin D a day. During the summer months, most people will be able to gain enough vitamin D through sunlight and their diet. However, during the winter months (October-March), many children and adults will not be able to generate sufficient vitamin D from sunlight. Therefore, supplements, particularly during these months, can be beneficial. The NHS recommends that breastfed babies between 0-1yr receive a daily supplement of between 8.5-10micrograms vitamin D a day. Formula fed babies do not need this as formula milk is already fortified with vitamin D. Children between 1-4yrs should also be given a daily supplement containing 10micrograms of vitamin D. These are available from most pharmacies or supermarkets and come in various different forms – drops, lozenges or chewable tablets. For older children, supplementation is not routinely advised on a daily basis, but bearing in mind that most children and adults will struggle to make sufficient vitamin D over the winter months then it would be best to consider additional supplementation during this time period in particular.

@AR2012

With the constant hand washing and sanitiser use im concerned about drying out the skin. We're using E45/ moisturisers. is there anything you can recommend for caring for sensitive skin.

Frequent hand washing, particularly with soap, and frequent use of hand sanitizer can dry out the skin and make it more likely to become red, dry, cracked and sore. I would recommend using a good emollient (moisturizer) cream after every hand wash and at various times throughout the day to keep the skin in good condition. Moisturising approximately 2-3 times a day in addition to after hand-washing should be sufficient for a child without eczema. A pharmacist should be able to help you choose a product suitable for you as there are many different and effective products avaliable - some of my favourites include cetraben, oilatum, diprobase and dermol.

@marcc82

If my child has cold symptoms would you still get them tested or just trust this is a cold?

If those cold symptoms include either a new temperature, new continuous cough or new loss of taste and smell then your child requires a covid test. If not, then they do not currently require one.

@snare

my daughter has aching knees - is this growing pains?

I am afraid this is impossible to say without taking a more thorough history and examining her. There are many different things that could cause aching knees. Growing pains are usually an aching or throbbing in the legs, commonly in the evenings or night times. It is most often felt in the muscular areas of the legs rather than the joints (it can present behind the knees, but is not usually felt IN the knees). Usually they stop by the time a child is 12yrs. It would be best for you to book an appointment to discuss this with your daughter’s GP, who can also examine her knees.

@kellyroxannesmith

My daughter is picking up on everything just now and it’s causing quite a bit of anxiety (re covid). Especially as her nana had it in April 💔 how can we help ease this? Thanks x

It is certainly a scary time for children filled with lots of change, uncertainty and worry. Make sure you’re talking to your daughter regularly about any worries she has about the news, school, relatives or the general situation. Also ensure that she knows who to talk to at school if she has a problem or concern. Let her ask questions rather than giving her too much information in one go, and try and be supportive and reassuring while still giving her the facts. Remember that although it is very scary, children are very unlikely to become seriously unwell from covid-19 so make sure she knows this.

@sjonlegs

I'm a bundle of Mummy mess right now ... af ter 6 months at home - my 3 children are all back at school. My eldest son has profound medical and complex special needs (every reason to shield/be precautious - but trying not to be whilst trying not to be too 'gung ho' either), my two others are at high school. My middle son is glad to be back, a bit laissez faire for my liking (I'm paranoid about him mixing with his equally unbothered friends) ... then there's my young daughter, who feels like she's starting high school all over again! She's paranoid about getting Coronavirus (major concerns for her brother and her Papa - my elderly dad has dementia) and I'm desperately trying to allay her fears in all areas. Is there anything that might help her? I'm not venturing out much at all, but are things like 'Kalms' effective? I don't want drugs per se ... but natural remedy's that might help would be great!

Kalms tablets are a natural remedy containing Valerian root which some patients have reported to me has helped them with stressful situations. You may wish to consider them for yourself, however their product information advises that they should not be given to anyone under the age of 18yrs and so I would not recommend giving them to your daughter. In fact – as you mention already yourself - I would suggest you try and stay away from any sort of drug to medicate stress levels in a child. It is definitely a very difficult time for children at the moment, particularly with the return to school after having had such a long time at home. Make sure your daughter has space and time to talk to you about her worries and encourage her to ask questions and give her the information she needs. Remember that although it is very scary, healthy children are very unlikely to become seriously unwell from covid-19 so make sure she knows this in case she is worried about getting sick herself. The concerns she has about relatives are valid, and trickier for you to solve, so I would suggest you acknowledge her fears, support and comfort her, and reiterate that she is doing everything she can to keep them safe by social distancing, hand washing, mask-wearing and being careful. Children tend to adapt to change fairly quickly, so hopefully as the school year progresses she will relax and worry less about this as she gets used to the new routines.

@sunshinesky

My child is 12 and has had terrible growing pains in the back of his legs and knees for years. Will this continue until he stops growing?

Growing pains are common in children between the ages of 3-12yrs, but tend to settle around puberty and so are less frequent past the age of 12yrs. Hopefully that means that your son’s pains will settle relatively soon! However, if they do not, or they start to worsen, I would recommend getting in contact with his GP just to check things out.

@Babanew

I would like to ask. Is there a possibility that schools will close again if there is significant rise in covid cases?

I am afraid I have no more knowledge on this than you as it would be a government decision. Individual schools have developed their own protocol’s (following government advice) so if this is something you are concerned about I suggest you check with your own child’s school as to what their plan would be if cases were to rise significantly.

@Summergarden

I’m wondering whether it’s worth buying vitamins to boost their immunity and if so, which brand or particular ones are best to go for please?

If a child has a healthy, varied, diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, diary and meat then they should be getting all the vitamins and minerals they need from food and do not need any extra supplementation. The exception to this can be vitamin D over the winter months, as some research has shown that adults and children struggle to source enough vitamin D from sunlight and diet between the months of October-March. Adults, and children from the age of 1, need 10micrograms of vitamin D a day. If you would like to give a vitamin D supplement over the winter months then this can be sourced from any pharmacy and come in a variety of forms – chewable tablets, lozenges or drops. There is no ‘best brand’; simply look for a brand that contains 10micrograms a day or equivalent (a pharmacist can help you here, and are very knowledgeable about the various over-the-counter vitamin brands that they stock).

I hope you have found the answers to the questions so far useful. I will be back on Monday to answer some more!

Two questions about my 14 year old please.

Should I get him vaccinated privately against flu this winter? His 11 yo sibling will get it. How important is it that he gets a shot, this year? (Obviously not enough for the government to warrant giving him one, so is it not really that big of a deal)?

Also, his 14 year old skin suffers enough with spots/acne/breakouts. This is getting worse by the day with mask wearing on the bus and around school. Please, please - tell me something that will help him!

My foster daughter has really become mentally stressed during lockdown, she has severe learning disabilities and little speech and is very autistic with ocd. All her routine and favourite things have stopped, people have started wearing masks and aprons, she has stopped sleeping and eating properly. I am worried that she will go back to school, start settling down, then it will all stop again, this might push her over the edge!

basically my son even when gets colds has to have a ambulance or visit to a and e to get his oxygen levels back up we still waiting to see what the cause is he is only 4 years old would you send your child back to school because of covid 19 causing breathing problems or wait until the doctors can find cause thank you

How can I make sure my son doesnt fall behind?

I just got a letter from school about flu immunisation, how effective is the nasal spray and are there any side effects? Thanks