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.

My nearly 16 year old son has an enlargement of the Aorta and a leak, as well as bicuspid valve, he has yearly scans to monitor this, when the county locked down he was deemed as extremely vulnerable, he is now back at school and no longer shielding, my question is ~ being more an adult size and due to age would it not be much worse for him if he were to catch corona virus? He is also asthmatic and has headaches often due to also having chiari malformation. I am petrified! Any advice to calm my nerves would be fantastic.

My children’s school has announced that they will send home year groups to self-isolate for 14 days, if a child has Covid-19 in that particular year group. However, sibling in other year groups will be able to still attend school while their siblings are self-isolating. Do you think that this will reduce risk? Or if this happens should I try and isolate all my children to prevent spread of infection?

My three year old changes clothes after nursery to avoid bringing Covid on his clothes into our house. Is this a waste of time? The children leave their personal items at nursery so many parents seem to be doing this. Are young children getting infected at home rather than at nursery?

Hi, as the mum of a child who attends an SEN school for autistic children, I am really concerned about the issues around social distancing in communal areas.
My son shielded for 3 months as he has other health issues that mean he is highly vulnerable and now he’s back at school understandably he is worried about other younger children who don’t s/d because they don’t understand what’s going on.
Do you have any advice to keep the risk of infection to a minimum? He is following advice and wearing a face mask, washing his hands regularly and having hand gel to hand if he needs it. I am so stressed and anxious about it all but hiding it well from my son. Any advice you can give would be really appreciated.

My year 1 child is asthmatic and has various allergies which can make her wheezy. If she is wheezy but not having full blown attack I Usually send her to school and just ask teacher to make sure she uses her inhaler. Is this fine or should I be more cautious and keep her home for the day if still wheezy following an asthma attack?

Do you think children with cold symptoms (but not the 3 'main' covid ones) should have covid tests?

Ive noticed a change in my childs behaviour, he seems a bit anxious. Waking up at night to go to the loo.i feel it is the result of lockdown and the changes at school How can i help him with mental health?

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 😊

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.

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!

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

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

My five year old has crackled toe nails on one foot (other foot is normal). The big toe also has a hardened, thicker, yellowing area.
She's had this for two+ years now. I did take her to the GP about it back then, and they said it wasn't anything to worry about but to see them again in a year or two if it hadn't cleared up.
What is it?
Thanks.

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.

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.

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.

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

my daughter has aching knees - is this growing pains?

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

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!

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?