Hand, foot, and mouth disease in children is a highly transmissible viral infection, particularly in young ones. Fever is the first symptom, followed by rashes on the lips, hands, and feet. You may also be concerned that the rashes will spread from one part of the body to another. Although hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is not a life-threatening infection, it can make your child uncomfortable, especially when drinking and swallowing food. Read on to learn more about HFMD in children, including treatment options and home remedies, as well as how it can be prevented.
What Is Hand, Foot, And Mouth Disease?
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a contagious viral infection usually affecting children younger than five years of age. However, it can happen in adults as well. The disease is characterized by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet, and occurs mostly during the summer and fall (1). It is generally mild, self-limiting, and goes away in a few days.
What Causes HFMD In Children?
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by the coxsackievirus, mostly coxsackievirus A16. Coxsackievirus belongs to a group of viruses called enteroviruses. Other types of enteroviruses can also cause HFMD. But Coxsackievirus A16 and Enterovirus 71 have been mostly associated with HFMD outbreaks in children (2). HFMD is highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person. Your child may contract hand, foot, and mouth disease by coming in touch with an infected person’s:
Saliva. It can directly transmit the virus to your child. Even sharing the same cup or plate, stationary, towel can make it contagious.
Respiratory droplets such as a sneeze or cough. If your kid comes in contact with an infected person’s cough or sneeze, or breathes in the same air, they can get infected.
Fluids from the blisters. Your child can contract the disease when they touch or come in skin contact with the fluid discharge from blisters on another child.
Feces. HFMD virus can also transmit through the fecal-oral route. So, if kids touch soiled diapers or come in contact with a soil or surface contaminated with feces of an infected person, they may catch the virus.
Skin contact with an infected person. A close physical contact, such as a handshake or a hug, can be a source of infection.
Contact with any object that is infected. Viruses can survive on inanimate objects; therefore, touching an object used by an infected person can transmit the virus.
If somebody in your family, close neighborhood or the child’s daycare is having the disease, then your child is likely to get it. It commonly spreads in day care centers, schools, playgroups, close contact sports, families living in congested quarters. Therefore, keep an eye on the symptoms.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hand, Foot, And Mouth Disease?
Symptoms begin to show three to six days after contracting the infection. This period is known as the incubation period. Your child may show some or all of these symptoms:
Mild fever of around 102oF Image: iStock
A sore throat and a scratchy feeling in the throat that is often painful due to lesions
Poor appetite
A headache
Painful red sores inside the mouth, affecting the roof of the mouth, gums, and inner walls
Red rashes on the palms, soles, and in the buttocks Image: Shutterstock
The first symptoms are usually a fever followed in a day or two by a sore throat and poor appetite. The rashes appear one to two days after the fever starts. Painful blisters may appear inside the mouth (herpangina) within a day or two. This makes it difficult for the child to swallow.
Who Is At A Risk Of Getting HFMD?
Young children below ten years, often below five years, are at the highest risk of contracting the disease. Those attending a daycare or school can contract the infection as viruses spread quickly at places where there are several children.
What Are The Complications Of HFMD?
Usually, HFMD runs its course and the affected child recovers on their own without any complications. The greatest and most common complication is dehydration. The sores inside the mouth and throat make swallowing difficult, making the children reluctant to drink water. The mother needs to make sure the child has an adequate intake. Any other serious complications are rare but children with low immunity are likely to have: As mentioned above, HFMD subsides on its own and doesn’t require a visit to the doctor. However, in some cases, you may have to.
When To See A Doctor?
You need to visit a doctor if: The symptoms in your child exacerbate after a few days
The mouth sores are too painful and prevent the child from drinking fluids
Severe dehydration as the child doesn’t pass urine for more than eight hours or their mouth becomes very dry
The symptoms are persisting even after ten days
The doctor will do a diagnosis to confirm if it is HFMD or any other infection.
How Is HFMD Diagnosed?
The diagnosis is mainly clinical. The doctor will ask the age of the child and about the symptoms; they will check for the body and mouth sores. If the disease has been there for long or the symptoms are confusing, the doctor may also conduct a throat swab culture and take a stool sample for laboratory testing to recognize the virus that caused it.
Treatment For Hand, Foot, And Mouth Disease
Treatment is not required as the infection goes away on its own in seven to ten days. However, your child’s doctor may prescribe a few medicines to reduce the fever or relieve the pain from the sores:
Topical ointments and oral anesthetics to soothe the rashes and blisters
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve general discomfort, pain and headaches Medicated syrups for soothing sore throat pain.
Anti allergics to relieve itching.
If you are not keen to use painkillers and soothers, you may try some relief methods at home.
Home Remedies For HFMD
Certain at-home remedies can improve the symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease:
Give your child popsicles to suck when the mouth blisters become very painful. They soothe the sores as well as hydrate the body.
Have your child gargle with lukewarm water and salt to alleviate the mouth and throat sores.
Offer cold and soft foods like ice cream and juices instead of solid foods.
Have your child drink water and other fluids to prevent dehydration.
Do not give citrus fruits, soda or carbonated drinks.
Avoid spicy and salty foods as they may irritate the mouth sores.
If you do not want any of this trouble for the child or you, you may take measures to prevent the infection.
How To Prevent Hand, Foot, And Mouth Disease?
You may take the below steps to prevent HFMD: Below we answer some of the most commonly asked questions on HFMD.
