Q & A
Our in-house Nurse Debbie Scarborough is a clinical team leader of a children's hospice, with 24 years of nursing experience and four children of her own. Debbie Scarborough answers all your questions on Health, Nutrition and Development.
1. Can MRSA affect my unborn baby?
MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a type of bacteria. SA is a very common cause of boils, impetigo and abscesses.If a pregnant woman becomes infected with MRSA, as with all infections, there is a very small chance that it could pass to the unborn baby. However, this is rare.
If a pregnant woman has an MRSA infection, there is a small chance the infection could be passed to the baby during childbirth (if it is a vaginal birth).
It is advised that all pregnant women or new mothers avoid visiting anyone who has an MRSA infection. If you are pregnant and have any concerns relating to MRSA, speak with your GP or midwife.
Click here for information about MRSA
2. Why isn't the chickenpox vaccine available in the UK?
The chickenpox vaccine is now licensed in the UK but it is not part of the routine childhood vaccinations. The vaccine against the varicella virus (which causes chickenpox) is not currently recommended for standard use in children.In most cases it is a mild illness and around 89% of adults in the UK will develop immunity against the illness.
If the chickenpox vaccine were to be added to the list of childhood vaccinations, it is feared that there would be a greater number of cases of shingles in adults. This is because adults who have had chickenpox as a child are less likely to have shingles in later life and shingles actually causes a lot more harm than chickenpox does.
Click here for information about the chickenpox vaccine.
3. I think my child has ADHD, what should I do?
ADHD has been in the public eye a lot more recently. Sometimes it is hard to tell if your child is just a normal active child or if there is something going on medically that is keeping them from concentrating. Some children with ADHD need medical treatment where as others can be helped with a controlled diet plan. One needs to speak to there GP first to find out if your child is suffering with ADHD and then to work out the best available treatment for your child.Click here for information about ADHD.
4. My doctor put my daughter on birth control pills to help with her acne. Why is that?
Some teens need extra help controlling acne, so their doctor or dermatologist may prescribe medication. Depending on the severity of the acne, prescription creams, antibiotics, birth control pills, or stronger medicines may be used. For some teen girls, birth control pills help clear up acne because the pills stabilize the fluctuating hormones that can cause acne. Doctors and dermatologists often try different medications including birth control pills to see what works best for each person.Click here for information about acne.
5. My child's doctor has recently suggested my child get a tonsillectomy. Will removing his tonsils make him more susceptible to other throat infections?
The tonsils' main function is to help stop bacteria from getting further down the throat. However, a tonsillectomy doesn't mean your child will be at risk for more infections. In fact, some kids get fewer throat infections after tonsillectomies. When the tonsils are removed, other tissues in the body take over their role to help prevent infection.Thanks to successful antibiotic treatments and a more conservative approach, tonsillectomies are much less common than they used to be. However, they may still be recommended in cases of proven recurrent bacterial infections or airway obstruction (such as obstructive sleep apnea).
Click here for information about a tonsillectomy
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6. My six month old daughter has recently developed cradle cap on her face and the crown of her neck. My GP has recommended an emollient cream. Can you suggest a more natural alternative?
Cradle cap is a form of seborrhoeic eczma infection that affects babies in there first nine months of life. The face neck and nappy area may be affected, patches can appear yellowish and a little greasy to touché. Many parents try to pull away the unsightly patches from their children's scalps, but don't as often the hair will be pulled away as well.Washing ones hair everyday with a mild shampoo can help clear cradle cap. Try allergies baby wash, also rub a little baby oil into their scalp and hair an hour before bath time will help loosen the yellow plaques, as will gently massaging with your fingers or a soft brush. The good news is cradle cap nearly always clears up by the time a child is 12 months old.
Click here for information about Cradle cap
