What childhood ailments concern parents today? At our #BootsWebMD Twitter party, sponsored by BootWebMD.com, GP and medical commentator Dr Rob Hicks (right) joined us to listen to our concerns about childhood ailments and pass along information.
The party was sponsored by BootsWebMD. The BootsWebMD.com children’s health centre provides an overview of the basic facts and information you need to understand what’s happening in the life of your baby and child at all ages and stages of development. You can also find a WebMD Symptom Checker* and a Medicines and Treatment Centre on the site.
Tackling head lice
Are there any side effects from using the chemical treatments for head lice? @emily596
Only treat headlice if live lice seen. Don’t use treatments for prevention. Remember to check family and close friends too. @DrRobHicks
There’s fun to be had with headlice electric combs, they pip as you kill @GKMummy
It’s a battery comb, it electrocutes the nits. Works out cheaper than the shampoos @GKMummy
My grandma always uses mayonnaise for head lice @anna8301
For information on getting rid of head lice, look at which treatments research has shown work best bit.ly/KjHOaN #sp @BritMums
In the event of nuclear war, headlice will be fine. But they will soon be hungry! @SonyaCisco
Hot Stuff
I’ve had conflicting advice about sponging down a child to reduce a high temperature. What’s the truth? @Chez_Mummy
Sponging for fever control no longer recommended. Cool environment, strip off clothes, feverlowering meds @DrRobHicks
Sniffles
What can be done about a child’s permanently runny nose? I’m bored of having a green baby. @angelsurchins
What’s the best way to help a baby with cold-nasal aspirators. I’m always nervous of them! @SonyaCisco
raise mattress, humidifier. I put Toby to sleep in his car seat once as being more upright helped snot! @clareanna
Coughs
What are the signs that a cough is something more serious (e.g. asthma or bronchitis)? @chez_mummy
Cough that’s persistent, child unwell, fever are some of the things. Asthma info bit.ly/JIywpY @DrRobHicks
Chickenpox
What can be done to prevent chicken pox? @emily596
Avoid person with chickenpox. Wash infected bedding clothing often. Clean objects surfaces. http://bit.ly/K1YwMa @DrRobHicks
How long is chickenpox usually contagious for? Is there a way to recognise when safe to let child back to school? @jhowze
I need your advice on what’s the best solution for chickenpox scars please@emily596
Keeping the skin moisturised may help. In time the scars will become less obvious @DrRobHicks
Can someone get chicken pox more than once?” <<good question @anna8301
Yes, it is possible, but uncommon @DrRobHicks
Skin Issues
We have eczema/itchy skin in our family. Was surprised at some treatments. UV light and wet dressings bit.ly/JiLOx7 @JHowze
Can steroid creams for eczema cause long term skin problems? @ali991:
Yes if not used according to advice. But used properly skin benefits outweigh risks bit.ly/JyAg8N @DrRobHicks
RT @GKMummy: RT @britmums: Wondering what impetigo is? a friend had it a while back. Here’s more bit.ly/JiMd2y @DrRobHicks
Lots of questions about skin issues. Check out this childhood skin problems slideshow bit.ly/JiMiDw @JHowze
Bedwetting
At what stage/age should you see GP about bedwetting in young children? @kateonthinice
Bedwetting usually only concern in over-5’s and if wetting at least twice a week. @DrRobHicks
Take Your Medicine
Any tips for getting medicines into little one who won’t take them? It gets spat back at me @ChelseaMamma
I just know the feeling, the meds usually end up on my face and hair. Syringe is better than spoon. @Maximka25
Been there! Try syringe from pharmacist, ask GP about different flavour, role play taking it yourself @DrRobHicks
Eating and digestion
What is the best advice if your child throws up? Starve, Restricted Diet or eat normally? @GKMummy
Stick to usual eating habits as best as possible – not easy I know! @DrRobHicks
What health conditions can occur if kids don’t get enough fruit/veg? @kateonthinice
Constipation – fibre lack, iron deficiency anaemia, rickets – vit D deficiency, even scurvy vit C def @DrRobHicks
Specific Conditions
DrRobHicks: RT @BritMums: For those who don’t know, this is what hand, foot, mouth disease looks like bit.ly/JiNZke
What is slapped cheek syndrome? and how do we/ can we avoid it? @goriami
Great question – Have a look here: bit.ly/JgQLzU @DrRobHicks
Confused about slapped cheek syndrome? BootsWebMD.com has info on symptoms & causes bit.ly/JgQLzU #sp @BritMums
What about stress in children? Does it exist, how can you treat/relieve? @kateonthinice
Yes, stress affects children. Fun activities, lots of cuddles 
@DrRobHicks
My daughter’s 15 months & always constipated! Docs gave her laxatives but is there anything natural instead? @emmajones84
Check with doc first but increasing fluid intake and diluted apple or prune juice may help @DrRobHicks
What health conditions can occur if kids don’t get enough fruit/veg? @kateonthinice
Constipation – fibre lack, iron deficiency anaemia, rickets – vit D deficiency, even scurvy vit C def @DrRobHicks
When and how is the best way to talk about where babies come from with children? @TheMiniMesandMe
Fab Question! Hard to answer in 140 characters but think book, maturity of child, and honesty ) @DrRobHicks
Mamma Said
Oatmeal is great for itch relief @NicTay87
RT @SonyaCisco: I found oat baths really helped sooth itchy chickenpox >nice personal story @DrRobHicks
We keep the calamine in the fridge for extra cooling @Mummy_V
The Last Word
My tip is to attend a first aid course for all those little emergencies little ones bring. @ChelseaMamma
@ChelseaMamma Fabulous advice to attend first aid emergency course – well done for highlighting. @DrRobHicks
RT @SonyaCisco: A good cuddle is great medicine! << yes it is! @AModernMother
Check out http://www.webmd.boots.com/ for content on the latest health topics, news and research.
Always remember that information on BootsWebMD should not be used as a substitute for professional advice. You should always check with your health care provider before acting on information you have read on BootsWebMD or any other website. If you have an urgent medical problem, please call your doctor or NHS Direct immediately. In the care of emergencies, dial 999.
About Jennifer Howze
Jennifer Howze is the co-founder of BritMums. She blogs about travel, family and London life at Jenography.net. Previously, she wrote the Alpha Mummy blog at The Times and as a journalist has contributed to The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Wall Street Journal, Travel & Leisure, Budget Travel, CNN.com, Allure, SELF and Premiere, among others. She won The Maggie Award from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America for a health article in Seventeen magazine.
I’m so mad I had to miss this Twitter party but what a fabulous round up, one to bookmark for future reference
Thanks, Mari. It was a great chat – and encouraging in a way to hear other parents deal with the same things that we do.