Cure for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease at HealthCARE Express

Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 2:13 pm

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a mild virus that most commonly affects children 5 years old or younger, though it isn’t impossible for older children, or even adults, to contract the virus as well. HFMD isn’t dangerous, but symptoms, like a hand, foot, and/or mouth rash are uncomfortable. So, it is still important to know the symptoms so that they can be treated by a doctor. Besides, no one wants to see their toddler or baby sick and unhappy. So keep reading to find out what hand, foot, and mouth disease symptoms are for children and adults, as well as how to prevent and treat this disease.

Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease Children

Here at HealthCARE Express, we know how important it is to keep your kids happy and healthy, but sometimes against your best efforts your child somehow ends up sick anyway. The initial period for infection before symptoms will appear is typically 3-6 days. Usually, this disease starts out as a fever or chills, then the following days they will develop painful sores in the mouth and/or throat. A rash on the hands and feet may follow as well as blisters on or around the buttocks may occur. In very rare cases, if severe symptoms are left untreated, it could lead to seizures. Your child may show all or just some of the following symptoms.

Symptoms:

Fever
Poor appetite
Feeling sick
Sore throat
Headache
Blisters in the mouth around the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks
Rash on the palms of hands and soles of feet
Fussiness
Blisters on or around the buttocks

Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease Adults

Like in children, the initial period for infection of HFMD before symptoms will appear for adults is typically 3-6 days. Again, this disease usually starts out as a fever or chills, then the following days' painful sores will develop in the mouth and/or throat. Sores in the throat and mouth could lead to other illnesses and need to be addressed if symptoms don’t improve within 10 days. A rash on the hands and feet may follow as well as blisters on or around the buttocks may occur. You may show all or just some of the following symptoms.

Symptoms:

Fever
Poor appetite
Lack of energy
Sore throat
Headache
Blisters in the mouth around the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks
Rash on the palms of hands and soles of feet
Irritability
Blisters on or around the buttocks

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Treatments

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is typically a minor illness and while there is no direct treatment for HFMD, there are over-the-counter medications that can be taken to help alleviate some of the symptoms. HealthCARE Express can also provide you with items or medications that can help. For example, we carry a tetracaine sucker that you can take in place of ice cream and popsicles to help with the pain in their mouths. It numbs the mouth so the pain is not so significant, and it’s even reusable! If your child is less than 6 months old, if you or your child have a weakened immune system, or if your symptoms are so severe that it hurts to drink liquids, then seek medical attention. If symptoms don’t improve after 10 days, then seek medical attention.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Prevention

HFMD is spread quite easily, as it’s carried in the hands and mouth. The best way to prevent the spread of the disease is by washing your hands regularly, and by cleaning your child’s toys after they play with them. Children love to put things in their mouths, whether it’s their hand or a toy, so it is best to make sure both are as clean as possible to help avoid infection. And even though the idea may seem impossible, it is best to avoid hugging or kissing your child as much as possible if they are carrying HFMD.