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.

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?

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?

Should I get the flu vaccine for my children before they return to ?

My daughter who is 9 has bad body odour, I know her body is changing and she is wearing deodorant. When she is at home she can deodorise & wash her armpits regularly if she needs to but how can we help her when she is at school? She has a roll on in her school bag but every day she comes home and she smells. I don't want her to be picked on or bullied as she is at that age when this will happen. Any advise is greatly appreciated. Thank you

Does the Covid test hurt, isn't the swab pushed right up the nose? My teenage son is worried about possibly needing one.

What's the best way to prepare young children and toddlers for a covid 19 test?

When my daughter was born, she had seizures,that went on till she was about 8. After many scans and investigatios docs could never find a reason. They said she would grow out of them which may have done. She is 11 now and hasn’t had one since she was 8. However, she is always up the hospital in A&E after having accidents, she’s broken her wrist 7 times since she was a baby. She is now home with her ankle very swollen after falling over in PE at school. The hospital said it was a tissue damage this time.
When I show concern over how many accidents and broken bones she has had, I am told it’s because she is very active which she is, but she no more active than her siblings. Also if she gets a cold it always go to an infection, on top of that every childhood illness has always developed into complication even though her siblings fight them off quickly and she is allergic to everything.

My question is, could this be linked to her earlier seizures and should be even more concerned than I already am. Thank you

how can I improve my children's immunity in general?

Because we have all been spending so much time at home none of use have even had a sniff of a cold or other illness since the start of lockdown, I’m concerned the start of school will mean picking up bugs again and that they might be worse than usual as their immunity won’t have fought anything off for a while. Should I be worried about this and is there anything I can do to help or prevent?

How are we going to get the kids back to school when they have covid symptoms if we can’t access swabs locally at all. ( experience this week in Norfolk!)

Hi. My 6 year old daughter seems to have forgotten a lot of what she learnt before lock down, even forgetting everything going to ballet when she went every week for months before lockdown.

How do I help her deal with this? Gently remind her of pre lock down life or just ignore?

I am wondering how it is going to work with children showing signs of coronavirus for example coughing? I understand child is sent to a 14 days quarantine ? Would parents also have to isolate ? Would child be tested for the virus and how invasive is the actual swab ?Can you deny testing ? Thank you in advance :)

My DIL has a child in her class that spits other than telling him he shouldn’t can you come up with an answer please? The parents know, I would like to say he must wear a mask but the head says no.

Hi, I've just seen that Boots are offering a vaccination against chickenpox - I was completely unaware that there was a vaccination available for it! I was wondering if it was worth getting for my 2 year old before she starts nursery or if it's better in the long term for her to catch chickenpox and then build up an immunity? Many thanks 😊

Should we give children vitamin tablets to boost their immune system to help protect them from catching the virus

How do I help build up my childs immune system this winter?

My child is 12 is it worth giving them daily vitamins or not, they always seems to have a constant cold from Sept - Jan?

What's the score with sports like swimming? Does this carry any increased risk? If I'm concerned by the risk, is this a valid reason to withdraw DC from that activity?

My 10 year old son had an ear infection and perforated ear drum last year and now he feels his hearing has been affected. The GP says we should wait a bit longer and it should return. Is this right?

My son has constant loose poo’s and now he’s starting school I’m concerned how he’ll clean himself properly when he goes. I’ve spoken to the doctors and they’re not concerned as he’s a normal weight and height. However it’s not normal, so I wondered if there’s anything I should do.

Do you have any resources or advice for anxiety in younger children due to COVID?

My son is prone to migraines, and especially during term time, we have replaced his glasses but is there anything else I can do to minimise the risk of attacks and as a result, time off school.

Do you think it’s safe to take part in extracurricular activities such as music lessons & ballet?

My daughter is due to get the flu spray up her nose at school which of course is a good thing, I used to think but now I'm wondering if it's working against her natural immune system and makes her more prone to pick up other bugs and more worrying Covid? I am having an inner argument with myself as to what is the best and would really appreciate any advice. x

Is it necessary to give the children a vitamin D supplement and how much should I give?