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.

@Nikita90

My daughter has been offered the nasal flu spray - is there any point getting it?

Yes, I would definitely recommend it if she is eligible this year. Firstly, to protect her from influenza which can be really nasty and can make some children very unwell. Secondly, to reduce the time she, and the rest of the household, needs to spend in self-isolation at home if she gets a temperature, cough, or loss of taste or smell associated with the flu.

@chris8888

I am worried about the short time given to the children now for eating lunch. The schools have 15 minutes now for them to eat due to social distancing/bubble class groups etc. I understand the need for safety but is there any recommended vitamins or anything to add to their drinks.

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. Unless your child is a particularly slow and fussy eater then a reduced lunch time should not affect this. If you are concerned that she is not eating well at lunch times, then ensure that her evening meal is full of fresh foods and nutrients so that you know she is getting the natural vitamins from food that she should.

@maryandbuzz1

My son suffers from Childhood asthma. I have heard it is something he could grow out of. Is this true?

Yes, many patients find that asthma symptoms become less pronounced as they age. However, it is not true of everyone and many patients require asthma management throughout their lives. Hopefully your son is in the former group!

@StickChildNumberTwo

My four year old has had spots on his torso and legs for a couple of months. They mostly don't bother him and I think it's probably molluscum. Should I have him checked by a GP?

If it is molluscum then they are irritating, but harmless, and will resolve by themselves usually within 1-2 years. However, it is obviously difficult to say for certain without seeing him or a picture of his spots. You can read about and view pictures of molluscum on www.nhs.uk. If you are uncertain about the spots after this, then I suggest you book an appointment or send a picture to your son’s GP, or book an appointment with Livi, so they can be assessed and diagnosed.

@msemegs

My daughter suffers from regular nosebleeds, more common in the summer and usually in the night. Is there any particular reason why this may happen? Is this something she may grow out of? Thank you.

Nosebleeds are common in the summer, yes, particularly if the weather is also dry. Dry air makes the delicate lining of the nose more liable to crack and break, and heat dilates blood vessels in the nose. The combination increases the likelihood of a blood vessel in the nose bleeding. Children do typically tend to have more nosebleeds though, so hopefully the frequency will lessen as she grows. Make sure she isn’t picking her nose, which can traumatize it, or blowing her nose too hard. If the nosebleeds are happening regularly, or she suffers a particularly heavy nosebleed, then you should visit her GP as there are nasal creams that can help or she may need some treatment to a particularly problematic blood vessel in the nose.

@bobistheboss

I concerned about giving my child the flu jab. Is it necessary?

I would definitely recommend it if your child is eligible this year. Firstly, to protect from influenza which can be really nasty and can make some children very unwell. Secondly, to reduce the time your child, and the rest of the household, needs to spend in self-isolation at home if he/she gets a temperature, cough, or loss of taste or smell associated with the flu. This year, the flu vaccine will be available on the NHS for all children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2020, all primary school children, all year 7 children, and all children aged 2-17yrs with long term health condition.

@Rae1000

My daughter (age 12) is a real worrier. She seems to go out of her way to find things to worry about and will think of things that I would never considered at her age... is there anything simple i can do to help alleviate her fears?

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

@Helsbells68

My son has bad allergies and is on constant anti-histamines, will this increase his risk of breathing complications is he gets covid-19?

I have not seen any evidence that this would put him a significant risk of complications, no.

@Jackisback

Do you think that the current measures in place is schools are adequate?

Each individual school has worked hard to put measures in place to protect both children and staff. If you are concerned about these I suggest you speak to your child's school directly.

@sjl19

Do children need to take extra vitamins, if so what are the best ones?

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).

@Leanfun

What can you suggest with helping nine year old with sleep problems due to anxiety about catching the virus.

It is certainly a scary time for children filled with lots of change, uncertainty and worry. Make sure you’re talking to your child regularly about any worries he/she has about the news, school, relatives or the general situation. Also ensure that your child knows who to talk to at school if he/she has a problem or concern. Let your child ask questions rather than giving too much information in one go, and try and be supportive and reassuring while still giving the facts. Remember that although it is very scary, children are very unlikely to become seriously unwell from covid-19 so make sure your child knows this in case they are worried about their own health. Anxiety and stress often impacts on sleep, so concentrate on trying to reduce the anxiety your child is feeling - and certainly avoid any sort of sleeping medications or sedatives.

@prwilson

If children are required to take a Covid-19 test - is it invasive, might there be problems getting them to take it?

The test is a nasal and a throat swab. It is uncomfortable, but not painful, and most children should cope with having it done. If you can, explain in advance what will happen so they are prepared and not scared by the experience.

@gd2011

How reliable are allergy tests? And do they cover contact allergies or just dietary allergies>

Yes, allergy tests performed in allergy clinics are reliable. For a food allergy, a child may be offered a blood test or a skin-prick test. For a contact allergy, patch testing (where allergens are applied directly onto the skin and a reaction watched for) are generally performed.

@Sxhamilt

Should my 10 and 13 yr old kids.be.getting the.flu jab?

This year, the flu vaccine will be available for all children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2020, all primary school children, all year 7 children, and all children aged 2-17yrs with long term health condition. Yes, I would advise that any child eligible on the above criteria receive the flu vaccine.

@DidYouFindYourCrumpetHoles

My 8 year old son gets really itchy toes - what is the best over the counter treatment for athletes foot in children?

A pharmacist would be able to talk you through the various creams in more depth, but for athlete's foot an anti-fungal cream is best. Brands such as daktarin or lamisil both contain good antifungal agents.

@MBirch

My 6yo daughter often has a bleeding nose, sometimes in the morning when I wake her up it’s a bit of a bloodbath. It doesn’t seem to bother her and I haven’t sought any medical advice as I just clean her up and make sure she has tissues with her. Is this something to be worried about?

Nosebleeds are common in children, and they often tend to reduce in frequency as a child grows. Make sure she isn’t picking her nose, which can traumatize it, or blowing her nose too hard. If the nosebleeds are happening regularly - particularly if they are consistently from the same nostril - or she suffers a particularly heavy nosebleed, then you should visit her GP as there are nasal creams that can help or she may need some treatment to a particularly problematic blood vessel in the nose.

@Polllo

My nine year old had what the GP identified as a verruca on the top of his foot, a couple of years ago. I was told to keep applying topical wart/verruca treatment which we did for many many months with minimal success. They then agreed to try the liquid nitrogen freezing blast every couple of weeks, and it started to shrivel off a bit, but then they said it was too near a sensitive area on his foot (I can't remember exactly what they said, but it's right on the bony joint connecting to his little toe) and could damage him internally (?), and that he'd had several treatments of it and they didn't want to overdo it. This wasn't long before lockdown anyway. Here it is, in all its glory. What can be done now? He does gymnastics and swimming and hates having to keep wearing socks and plasters. I've been moisturising it and rubbing it with a file as instructed, which he hates, and I don't even know that it's improving things anyway.

Verrucas are common in childhood and most usually spontaneously resolve within a few years. Your child's sounds particularly stubborn as it has been present for a few years already. I presume by topical verruca treatment you mean salicylic acid. This does come in several strengths so it would be worth trying the extra-strength paint if you have not already. It sounds like it may be worth another review by your GP, but if they have said it is risky to continue the treatments then it will not be possible to continue further cryotherapy. It sounds old-fashioned, but duct tape has worked very well in some of my patients. Apply a piece of duct tape to the verruca 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.

@merlymerly

When will my 2 years old grand daughter grow out of eczema? Is it true there is a seven-year cycle?

I cannot give you an answer as to when she will out-grow it - in some children eczema lessens as they age and grow, but in others eczema continues into adulthood. There is no such thing as a 7-year cycle. The key to good eczema control is plentiful use of strong moisturisers (termed emollients). Make sure you are applying them at least 5-6 times a day, and particularly after bathing. Some of my favourites are cetraben, oilatum, diprobase and dermol but a pharmacist will be able to talk you through the products avaliable and make sure you have an emollient that will suit your granddaughter. If her eczema is inflammed, causing her pain or not coming under control with emollients then it is worth a review with her GP who may need to give a short course of steroid cream to control an eczema flare.

@Bigboytyson

My daughter is 9 yrs old and never seems to need much sleep and is never tired. Is this normal?

It is not abnormal. Children vary in energy levels and sleep patterns, but in general a constantly tired child is more of a worry in medical terms than a child with plenty of energy!

@RACHELSMITH45

What's good for treating mask acne? My daughter seems to be suffering with this recently?! Help. Also general acne on her forehead..she is 11.

Good first steps in treatments for mild acne include products that contain benzoyl peroxide. This is available from pharmacies in 5% strength, and some common skincare brands such as Neutrogena or Clearasil also contain benzoyl peroxide in a weaker form. It works as an antiseptic on the skin to reduce bacteria and thus reduce acne breakouts. If her acne is more severe then there are various creams available on prescription which your GP, or a Livi GP, would be able to help with.

@JoJoY

Should my child have the flu jab?

This year, the flu vaccine will be available on the NHS for all children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2020, all primary school children, all year 7 children, and all children aged 2-17yrs with long term health condition. Yes, I would advise that any child eligible on the above criteria receive the flu vaccine.

@MrRichTea

Are there plans for an easier more child-friendly covid19 test?

Research is ongoing into covid testing. It is possible that in the future there will be a different test, but at present it remains the nasal/throat swab test.

@Sonshiine

My nearly ten year old is a really great kid, with everything going for him. He's bright, sweet-natured, energetic/fit/good at sports, funny, and really gorgeous (though we don't focus on superficial things, but I mention it to exclude his looks being an issue.), witty, fun.

Since he was about six though, he's been really down on himself, on and off. He had friends the same age whose mothers also said their sons were similar at that age, it was reasonably normal.
He's still down on himself now though.

Sometimes I feel it's mostly a call for attention, where we have to fill his bucket praising and complimenting him. He can't be specific about why he is "just rubbish", and truly, he has no reason to think he's anything other than fabulous. Why is he like this, should we be concerned, and what can we do?

He's also really happy though. It just seems he goes on downers, when he thinks too much.

He got a sibling when he was nearly five. She is the baby of our group and doted on by everyone, and gets lots of attention from friends and strangers alike (as did he when he was younger, but he doesn't remember) - could this be part of it?

He's really sensitive too, and often takes people's comments as criticisms where none is intended,or he takes things the wrong way, thinking the worst rather than giving people the benefit of the doubt.

I believe there was a mean boy in one of his extra curricular activities he started at age six, but he doesn't go to that place any more (I do believe the other boy was jealous of my son's ability in this activity, and lashed out bullying. The coaches admitted this but didn't do a great job dealing with it, we ended up switching clubs, and he's thriving at the new one). I mention this in case it is what triggered it, but it's been nearly four years and I don't believe he's he had any such issues elsewhere.

It's difficult to give you a constructive answer to this without having spoken to you and him in more detail. However, I can imagine how difficult this must be for you as a whole family if he seems upset and down on himself. It is possible that the previous bullying or attention his sister receives is influencing this - but again, very difficult to say for certain without seeing him in person. I suspect it may be worth having a chat with your GP regarding his 'downers'. Child and adolescent mental health services have child psychologists available that would be able to speak to him in more detail and find out if there is a 'trigger' than is affecting his moods - and your GP would be able to refer him to this service if, as a family, you wanted to look into this.

@SurroundedByIdiotsEverywhere

My DD has started suffering from eczema due to all the hand washing she is doing.

Is there any advice on treatments or on how to avoid this problem, she uses soap at home but mainly uses gel with alcohol outside the home?

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 (termed an emollient). I would recommend moisturizing at least 5-6 times a day plus after hand washing for a child with hand 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. 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.

@pongopig

What are the chances that a child will grow out of asthma? My 12 year old only rarely needs an inhaler now (only once this year that I can remember and that was only for mild symptoms). Have they outgrown it?

Many patients find that asthma symptoms become less pronounced as they age, and so no longer require inhalers. However, it is not true of everyone and many other patients require asthma management throughout their lives. It may be that symptoms have improved over the summer months, but he may have a flare in the winter or when he gets a cold for example. It is best not to assume he has outgrown it, and always make sure you have asthma inhalers that are in-date in case he has a flare. You should also continue to attend asthma review checks at his GP until told these are no longer necessary.