Mrs Hinch's 3-year-old son hospitalised with a life-threatening disease

Virgin Radio

20 Jun 2023, 10:42

The social media star described the experience as a “real-life nightmare”.

Sophie Hinchcliffe (aka Mrs Hinch), who is best known for her cleaning tips, has opened up about her eldest son’s battle with a rare and sometimes fatal disease.

Her 3-year-old son, Ronnie James George Hinchcliffe, spent 10 days in hospital, where he was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease.

Sharing the news on Instagram alongside photos of her son, the 33-year-old said: “Ron, you are SO brave, SO strong, SO loved and just beautifully unique darling boy.

“We have spent the past 10 days living what's felt like a real-life nightmare. But I just wanted to thank you all for so many kind messages and update you all."

The British influencer recalled the moment she rang for an ambulance after Ron’s temperature hit 40 degrees Celcius.

“Ron was admitted and IV antibiotics started but NOTHING was working, in fact Ronnie deteriorated.

“The incredible doctors and nurses started every blood test and scan you can imagine,” she added. “We paced rooms and corridors for days just waiting for an answer, a result … anything!

“Seeing Ron this way kicked me with a fear and desperation I’ve never felt in my whole life.”

A few days later, Ron developed even more symptoms, and eventually, he was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease.

Hinchcliffe thanked the teams at Broomfield Hospital, St Marys, and Great Ormond Street for helping Ron’s condition improve so he could be discharged: “Our very special Ronnie Roo is coming home and we are back together as a family at last.”

Mrs Hinch recently appeared on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with cinch to share her top cleaning tips.

Responding to messages from listeners, the social media star explained how to clean smelly shoes without putting them in the wash.

“Febreze, I am a huge lover of Febreze. It doesn't just cover odours temporarily, it actually eats them.”

Another listener asked how to get rid of yellow stains from plates and bowls, to which Mrs Hinch replied: “You need a good cream paste, and the Pink Stuff in the tub with the scratch resistance, to make sure it's scratch resistant. 

“I know that sounds so silly and minor but you will end up ruining them otherwise.”

Kawasaki disease, which is also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is a condition that mainly affects children under the age of 5.

Symptoms include a high temperature that lasts for five days or longer, a rash, swollen neck glands, dry red lips, a bumpy red tongue, red inside the mouth and at the back of the throat, swollen hands and feet, and red eyes.

If you think your child is showing symptoms of Kawasaki disease, see a GP urgently or call 111. 

It is important that treatment is started as soon as possible, and then symptoms should become less severe after a few weeks, but it can take longer in some children.