Treatment FAQ

what are symptoms and treatment of hand, foot and mouth disease

by Nelda Bechtelar Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Hand-foot-and-mouth disease — a mild, contagious viral infection common in young children — is characterized by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is most commonly caused by a coxsackievirus. There's no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease.Sep 25, 2020

Symptoms

 · There is no specific medical treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease. You can take steps to relieve symptoms and prevent dehydration while you or your child are sick. Treat symptoms and prevent dehydration Take over-the-counter medications to relieve fever and pain caused by mouth sores. Never give aspirin to children. Drink enough liquids.

Causes

Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease typically appear within three to seven days after exposure. When the illness starts, you or your child might have a mild fever, sore throat, runny nose and little appetite. After a couple of days, these flu-like symptoms go away and these new symptoms develop:

Prevention

 · Signs and symptoms in children A child with hand-foot-and-mouth disease can often develop reddish spots on the soles of feet and palms of hands, which quickly turn into bumps or blisters. When a child gets hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD), most signs and symptoms clear within 7 to 10 days. Here’s what you may see during that time: Days 1–2

Complications

 · There's no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Signs and symptoms of hand-foot-and-mouth disease usually clear up in seven to 10 days. A topical oral anesthetic may help relieve the pain of mouth sores.

What are the signs of hand foot and mouth disease?

What to expect with hand, foot, and mouth disease?

What can you do for hand foot mouth disease?

How to prevent and treat hand, foot, and mouth disease?

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What is the best treatment for foot and mouth disease?

There's no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Signs and symptoms of hand-foot-and-mouth disease usually clear up in seven to 10 days. A topical oral anesthetic may help relieve the pain of mouth sores.

How do you get rid of hand, foot, and mouth disease at home?

If you are able, first wash the items with soap and water, then disinfect them with a solution of chlorine bleach (made by mixing 1 tablespoon of bleach with 4 cups of water) or a cleaning product that contains bleach.

How do you treat hand-foot-and-mouth in children?

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease TreatmentOver-the-counter pain relief. Ask your pediatrician about appropriate pain medications, such as ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), and follow the dosage procedures for your child's age. ... Plenty of liquids. ... Cold or soft foods. ... Cover mouth blisters. ... Rest.

How do I know if my child has hand-foot-and-mouth?

Signs and symptoms of HFMD Small, oval, white blisters on the palms, soles of the feet, as well as in the mouth. Your child may have a sore mouth and throat, leading to poor appetite or risk of dehydration (drinking and eating can be painful because of the mouth blisters). A red skin rash with a brown scale on it.

Should I take my child to the doctor for hand foot and mouth?

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is usually a minor illness causing only a few days of fever and relatively mild signs and symptoms. Contact your doctor if mouth sores or a sore throat keep your child from drinking fluids. And contact your doctor if after a few days, your child's signs and symptoms worsen.

What are the signs of hand, foot, and mouth disease in adults?

Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth diseaseFever (which can be high).Headache.Feeling unwell or overly tired.Poor appetite.Sore throat.Painful sores or blisters around or in the mouth (cheeks, gums, and throat). ... Rash of flat red spots on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.

What ointment is good for hand, foot, and mouth disease?

Managing HFMD includes use of fever-reducers/pain-relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), and emphasizing/monitoring hydration. Typically the rash is not painful or itchy, so you don't need to put anything on it. If it does seem to itch, you can apply 1% hydrocortisone ointment (over-the-counter).

What antibiotic treats hand, foot and mouth?

Since HFMD is a virus, antibiotics will not help. The following may help your child feel better: For children older than 6 months, give acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) to help with the headache, fever, and sore throat.

Is a bath good for hand, foot and mouth?

Rinsing the mouth with warm, salt water will soothe mouth ulcers and keep them clean. A bath with Epsom salts helps to flush out the toxins – and lavender oil has healing properties.

What is the quarantine period for hand foot and mouth?

Individuals with HFMD can be contagious during the incubation period (about three to six days) before symptoms develop and may remain contagious for days or weeks after the symptoms and signs abate. Even people with mild or no symptoms and signs during infection can be contagious.

How long do hand foot mouth symptoms last?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common childhood illness that can also affect adults. It usually gets better on its own in 7 to 10 days.

How long does it take for Hand Foot and Mouth to go away?

It's most common in young children – particularly those under 10 – but can affect older children and adults as well. Hand, foot and mouth disease can be unpleasant, but it will usually clear up by itself within 7 to 10 days. You can normally look after yourself or your child at home.

How to tell if someone has hand foot and mouth disease?

Diagnosing hand, foot, and mouth disease. Healthcare providers can usually tell if someone has hand, foot, and mouth disease by examining the patient and considering . How old the patient is. What symptoms the patient has. How the rash and mouth sores look.

What are the symptoms of hand and foot?

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease usually include fever, mouth sores, and skin rash commonly found on the hands, mouth, and/or feet. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is common in infants and children younger than 5 years old.

What does a rash on the palm of your hand look like?

It may also show up on the knees, elbows, buttocks, or genital area. The rash usually looks like flat, red spots, sometimes with blisters. Fluid in the blister and the resulting scab that forms as the blister heals may contain the virus that causes hand, foot, ...

How long does it take for a child to get a foot and mouth infection?

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is common in infants and children younger than 5 years old. Most children have mild symptoms for 7 to 10 days.

Can you treat a foot infection at home?

Often the infection is mild, and symptoms can be treated at home. However, sometimes you need to see a healthcare provider. Treat Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.

How to tell if you have foot and mouth disease?

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease may cause all of the following signs and symptoms or just some of them. They include: 1 Fever 2 Sore throat 3 Feeling unwell 4 Painful, red, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks 5 A red rash, without itching but sometimes with blistering, on the palms, soles and sometimes the buttocks 6 Irritability in infants and toddlers 7 Loss of appetite

What is the most common cause of hand foot and mouth disease?

The most common cause of hand-foot-and-mouth disease is infection with the coxsackievirus A16 . The coxsackievirus belongs to a group of viruses called nonpolio enteroviruses. Other types of enteroviruses sometimes cause hand-foot-and-mouth disease.

What causes a blister on the sole of the foot?

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease often causes a rash of painful, red, blister-like lesions on the soles of the feet. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease may cause all of the following signs and symptoms or just some of them. They include: Fever. Sore throat.

How long does it take for a toddler to show signs of hand foot and mouth?

Loss of appetite. The usual period from initial infection to the onset of signs and symptoms (incubation period) is three to six days. A fever is often the first sign of hand-foot-and-mouth disease, followed by a sore throat and sometimes a poor appetite and feeling unwell.

What causes a rash on the palm of your hand?

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease often causes a rash of painful, red, blister-like lesions on the palms of the hands. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease often causes a rash of painful, red, blister-like lesions on the soles of the feet.

Why is hand foot and mouth disease common in child care settings?

Common in child care setting. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is most common in children in child care settings because of frequent diaper changes and toilet training, and because little children often put their hands in their mouths.

Can you get foot and mouth from pets?

You can't contract hand-foot-and- mouth disease from pets or other animals, and you can't transmit it to them.

What is the cause of hand, foot and mouth disease?

Viruses belonging to the enterovirus family cause hand, foot and mouth disease. Most often, a strain of the coxsackie virus is to blame. The disease is highly contagious and spreads through: Airborne droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs.

How to diagnose foot and mouth disease?

How is hand, foot and mouth disease diagnosed? Your doctor can diagnose the illness by looking at the blisters. Occasionally, a doctor tests for the virus by sending throat swab samples, or samples taken from blisters or stool, to a lab.

How long does it take for a foot and mouth rash to go away?

The blister-like rash is usually mild and goes away on its own within two weeks. Over-the-counter pain relievers and a prescription mouthwash are comfort-care treatments. Following good hygiene practices helps keep other people healthy and virus-free.

Where does the rash on the hands, feet and mouth come from?

Hand, foot and mouth disease gets its name from the blister-like rash that forms on the hands, feet and mouth. The rash can actually appear anywhere on the body, including the trunk, extremities, genitals and buttocks. A virus causes this very infectious disease. It tends to spread quickly among children in day care and schools.

How long does it take for hand and foot to show symptoms?

Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease typically appear within three to seven days after exposure. When the illness starts, you or your child might have a mild fever, sore throat, runny nose and little appetite. After a couple of days, these flu-like symptoms go away and these new symptoms develop:

Can a child get foot and mouth disease?

Infants and children younger than five are most likely to get hand, foot and mouth disease. Still, older children and even grownups can get it. It’s possible to catch the virus multiple times.

Is foot and mouth the same as foot and mouth?

Is hand, foot, and mouth disease the same as foot-and-mouth disease? No. Foot-and-mouth disease is also known as hoof-and-mouth disease because it only affects livestock. Cows, sheep, goats and pigs can get it — but humans can’t.

How long does it take for a child to clear their mouth?

When a child gets hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD), most signs and symptoms clear within 7 to 10 days. Here’s what you may see during that time:

What does it mean when your mouth is itchy?

An itchy rash, usually on the feet, hands, or both. Mouth sores: Most children have a few painful mouth sores , which usually develop on the tongue. Sores can also appear elsewhere in the mouth, including the roof of the mouth. Mouth sores tend to begin as bright pink spots or tiny bumps, which turn into blisters.

Can HFMD cause dehydration?

Painful mouth sores may cause your child to stop drinking, which can lead to dehydration. If you notice that your child won’t drink, contact your child’s doctor.

How to tell if you have hand foot and mouth?

Your doctor will likely be able to distinguish hand-foot-and-mouth disease from other types of viral infections by evaluating: The age of the affected person. The pattern of signs and symptoms. The appearance of the rash or sores. Your doctor may take a throat swab or stool specimen and send it to the laboratory to determine which virus caused ...

What is the best medicine for mouth sores?

A topical oral anesthetic may help relieve the pain of mouth sores. Over-the-counter pain medications other than aspirin, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) may help relieve general discomfort.

What to write down before taking a child to the doctor?

If you take your child to a doctor, make the most of your time by writing down information the doctor will need before you go, including: Any signs and symptoms your child is experiencing. How long your child has been having signs and symptoms.

How to get rid of a swollen mouth?

Eat ice cream or sherbet. Drink cold beverages, such as milk or ice water. Avoid acidic foods and beverages, such as citrus fruits, fruit drinks and soda. Avoid salty or spicy foods. Eat soft foods that don't require much chewing. Rinse your mouth with warm water after meals.

How to get rid of blisters on tongue?

Try these tips to help make blister soreness less bothersome and eating and drinking more tolerable: Suck on ice pops or ice chips. Eat ice cream or sherbet.

How to clean mouth after eating?

Rinse your mouth with warm water after meals.

What are the symptoms of HFMD?

The symptoms can include: sores in the mouth. an itchy rash on the hands, feet, or both. fever. flu-like symptoms.

How to treat HFMD?

However, a person can treat the symptoms of HFMD at home by: taking fever reducers ( acetaminophen or ibuprofen) to help keep the fever down. drinking plenty of water and other fluids to help prevent dehydration. using a numbing mouthwash to alleviate the pain of mouth sores. avoiding hot and spicy foods.

What is the most common cause of HFMD?

Enterovirus viruses cause HFMD. According to the CDC. Trusted Source. , the viruses that most commonly cause the illness include: Coxsackievirus A16: This virus is the most common cause of HFMD in the United States. Coxsackievirus A6: People who contract this virus may experience more severe symptoms.

How to diagnose HFMD?

Diagnosis. A doctor will diagnose HFMD by carrying out a physical examination. This examination might involve the doctor: examining the rashes around the person’s mouth, feet, and hands. taking a throat swab or stool sample to check for the presence of the virus.

How to stop HFMD?

Following preventive steps, including washing the hands frequently and avoiding close contact with others, can help stop the spread of HFMD.

Is HFMD serious in adults?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HFMD is generally not serious in adults or children.

Do you have to have HFMD to have a symtom?

The American Academy of Dermatology Association state that most adults do not experience symptoms if they contract HFMD. Those who do will generally have benign symptoms.

How do dermatologists treat hand-foot-and-mouth disease?

This disease goes away on its own without treatment. In most cases, HFMD is gone in 7 to 10 days.

What is the outcome for someone who has hand-foot-and-mouth disease?

For most people, the disease goes away in 7 to 10 days without leaving a trace.

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Overview

Symptoms

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Juhi Mehrotra
Symptoms
If you are experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms, contact a health care provider.

The symptoms include:

Many symptoms are related with the hand foot and mouth disease

  • A red rash on the palms, without itching but sometimes with blistering soles and sometimes the buttocks
  • Feeling of being unwell (malaise)
  • Irritability in infants and toddlers
  • Fever
  • Poor appetite
  • Sore throat
  • Headache

Causes

  • The causes include:
  • It is caused due to viral infection
  • Virus family of enterovirus causes the disease spread
  • Main sources of disease spread are:
  • Saliva
  • Fluid from blisters
  • Feces
  • Respiratory droplets sprayed into the air after coughing or sneezing
  • It can also be transmitted through direct contact with unwashed hands or a surface containing traces of the Virus
  • The risk factors include:
  • Children younger than 10 years

Prevention

  • Practice good hygiene
  • Wash the hands regularly
  • Avoid sharing the cups and plates
  • Disinfecting the common areas

Complications

  • Dehydration: sore throat associated with the disease condition makes it difficult to drink and eat. This can result in dehydration.
  • Infection: sore throat scratches can lead to infection
  • Viral meningitis: In rare cases, it may lead to viral meningitis

Causes

Risk Factors

Complications

Prevention

  • Hand-foot-and-mouth disease may cause all of the following signs and symptoms or just some of them. They include: 1. Fever 2. Sore throat 3. Feeling unwell 4. Painful, red, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks 5. A red rash, without itching but sometimes with blistering, on the palms, soles and sometimes the buttocks 6....
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