Foot-hand-mouth disease: what is it?
Hand-foot-mouth disease usually appears in children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. It is caused by enteroviruses (viruses invading the digestive system and multiplying there). Highly contagious, hand-foot-mouth disease often gives rise to epidemics, usually extending from spring to fall. Communities such as nurseries or kindergartens are then the most heavily affected.
Contamination can occur through direct contact with an already sick child, with infected stools or with saliva and nasal secretions during a sneeze, for example. Food or soiled objects are also possible vectors of the disease. The incubation period is 3-6 days.
How does foot-hand-mouth disease manifest? Symptoms.
The main symptoms are the appearance of small pimples on the soles of the feet, hands and inside the mouth of the child, hence its name. These pimples look like blisters circled in red: they are usually painless and do not cause itching.
The rash is often accompanied by a mild fever, sore throat, loss of appetite, and even abdominal pain. A runny nose and a cough are also present in some cases, which may suggest a cold or flu.
How to treat hand-foot-mouth disease?
It is advisable to consult a doctor as soon as symptoms appear to confirm the diagnosis. There is currently no real treatment for the disease: it normally heals on its own within a week. Only pimples located in the child’s mouth can resist and persist for several weeks before disappearing.
On the other hand, it is possible to relieve the symptoms for example with paracetamol to fight the fever. If the pimples are really bothersome, the doctor may also prescribe an anesthetic gel to apply to them. If the child is old enough, he can also gargle with a cup of warm water with half a teaspoon of salt added to combat his sore throat.
Foot-hand-mouth disease: child nutrition
The child’s throat and mouth are weakened: remove all foods and drinks that may cause pain. In particular, avoid very hot and/or spicy dishes as well as fruit juices (because of the acidity). On the other hand, you can give him yogurt, compotes or even ice cream to soothe his throat.
Overall, all foods that are easy to swallow are recommended. Also make sure that the child drinks enough to avoid any risk of dehydration: milk and water are your best allies.
Preventive hygiene measures
If your child is old enough, make sure he washes his hands well after using the bathroom and before eating. If it’s still a baby, wash your hands thoroughly after changing diapers, before and after giving him his medicine, before feeding him, etc. Also disinfect all objects that may have been contaminated with the virus, such as the child’s toilets and toys.
Note: your child will remain contagious 7 to 10 days after the appearance of the pimples. But be careful, the virus can still be present in his stool up to 12 weeks later. It is therefore better to continue hygiene measures to avoid further contamination.
In children with immune weakness that predisposes them to repeated infections, foot-hand-mouth disease is more difficult to eradicate and can become chronic. Medical follow-up is essential.
Read also :
⋙ Hand-foot-mouth syndrome: contagion, symptoms, treatments
⋙ Hand-foot-mouth syndrome: a benign disease whose name can be confusing
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