Hand, foot and mouth disease: Causes, symptoms and treatment

Daycare, the playground, faculty – children have a number of alternatives to get sick. And as a mum or dad or caregiver, you have most likely gotten fairly good at telling the distinction between a light bug, allergy symptoms and one thing extra critical. So how about one thing that begins out just like the flu, then a rash? One chance is that it’s hand, foot and mouth illness, which tends to be gentle, however nonetheless must be dealt with appropriately.

Below, we cowl what you want to learn about hand, foot and mouth illness, together with telltale symptoms, tips on how to handle them and when to speak to a physician.

What is hand, foot and mouth illness?

Hand, foot and mouth illness (HFMD) is a usually gentle, but extremely contagious viral an infection. It’s most typical in youngsters below 5 years previous, however older children and adults can catch HFMD as nicely.

The reason behind hand, foot and mouth illness (and the way it spreads)

HFMD will be brought on by a couple of totally different strains of enterovirus – within the United States, coxsackievirus A16 is the most typical reason behind HFMD. It can unfold by way of each direct and oblique contact with an contaminated person’s bodily fluids or stool, together with by way of coughing, sneezing and shared objects.

Identifying symptoms of hand, foot and mouth illness

As talked about above, HFMD typically begins with flu-like symptoms in children – which might embrace fever, tiredness, a sore throat and decreased urge for food. After a few days, small sores or blisters might develop on or in your youngster’s mouth, which might make swallowing painful and might result in drooling. Sores may additionally happen elsewhere on the body, and in some circumstances, a pores and skin rash might seem.

If you suppose that your youngster might have a case of HFMD, getting a prognosis might help. HFMD normally will get higher by itself, however different circumstances could cause related symptoms, and not all circumstances of HFMD present with all of its attainable symptoms. A prognosis ensures that you simply get the proper suggestions for treatment or symptom administration.

What hand, foot and mouth appears like

HFMD acquired its title for a motive. In addition to the mouth, its telltale sores most frequently seem on the palms of the arms and the soles of the toes. They may also unfold to the arms, legs, torso, face and buttocks. They usually seem like flat or raised crimson spots, relying on whether or not they blister and whether or not the blisters pop.

When hand, foot and mouth illness symptoms want rapid care

Most circumstances of HFMD are gentle and get higher on their very own. However, it’s vital to speak to a physician as quickly as attainable if:

• Your youngster has a number of bother consuming liquids
• Your youngster’s symptoms don’t enhance after 10 days, or their fever lasts longer than three days
• Your youngster has a really high fever, excessive tiredness, or widespread sores or blisters
• Your youngster is below 6 months previous or has a weakened immune system

How lengthy hand, foot and mouth illness lasts

HFMD usually has a 3-6 day incubation interval earlier than symptoms seem. Once symptoms seem, they have an inclination to final for 7-10 days. HFMD is most contagious through the first week. However, after symptoms have resolved, the virus can proceed to dwell within the nostril, mouth and lungs for a couple of weeks and in stool for a number of months – which means that it’s nonetheless attainable to catch it, though the danger is decrease.

How to forestall hand, foot and mouth illness from spreading

Good hygiene is essential to stopping the unfold of HFMD. In specific:

• Make certain everybody in your family washes their arms after coughing, sneezing, blowing their nostril, or utilizing the lavatory
• Make certain you and every other caregivers wash your arms earlier than and after caring on your youngster
• If your youngster has blisters, maintain them clear and uncovered, and discourage your youngster from touching them
• Frequently clear shared surfaces or toys, and keep away from sharing objects
• Avoid or restrict shut contact with anybody who’s contaminated
• Avoid touching your eyes, nostril and mouth

For hand, foot and mouth illness, treatment means symptom administration

There’s no particular remedy for HFMD. So after a prognosis, treatment entails holding your youngster snug and hydrated till their symptoms have improved. You can do that with:

• Over-the-counter ache remedy – Acetaminophen and ibuprofen might help with ache and scale back fever. Follow all directions on the label, and any out of your youngster’s physician. Do not give your youngster aspirin, because it has been linked to Reye syndrome, a critical situation that impacts the liver and mind.
• Cold food and drinks – Cold food and drinks (like smoothies and popsicles) can briefly numb throat and mouth soreness, and maintain your youngster’s vitality and hydration up.
• Avoiding scorching, spicy or acidic food and drinks – These sorts of meals and drinks could make the ache from mouth sores worse.
• Saltwater rinses – If your youngster can swish liquid round their mouth with out swallowing, frequent rinses with saltwater might help relieve ache and irritation.
• Antihistamines – If your youngster complains of the rash itching, ask their physician about giving them an antihistamine like Zyrtec.

Wondering in case your youngster has hand, foot and mouth illness? Get a prognosis

Even although HFMD is usually gentle, getting an knowledgeable’s prognosis can be sure that your youngster will get the form of care that they want. It’s additionally a possibility to get skilled suggestions for holding your youngster as snug as attainable whereas they get better.