Uncomfortable, painful blisters in the mouth and on the palms and soles: If your child is experiencing these symptoms, it is highly likely to be hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD). This common childhood illness is unpleasant but usually mild. In this article, you’ll learn how to recognize the viral infection by its typical symptoms, how to ease your child’s discomfort, and how to help prevent infection.
Transmission
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease that is mainly transmitted via fomite infection—for example, through hands, door handles, handrails, or stair railings. Droplet infection from coughing or sneezing is also possible. Transmission occurs primarily via hands (fomite transmission) and body fluids. The fluid from the blisters is especially contagious, and because the viruses are resistant to stomach acid, the stool of infected individuals can also spread the virus.
There is usually a delay of three to ten days between infection and the onset of symptoms. Because the fluid in the blisters is particularly infectious, the risk of transmission decreases once the blisters have dried out. Even when there are no longer any signs of hand-foot-and-mouth disease, the viruses can remain in the body for several weeks and continue to be excreted in the stool.
Children up to ten years old are most frequently infected with hand-foot-and-mouth disease, which is why it is considered a typical childhood illness. However, older children and adults can also become infected. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease occurs year-round, but most infections are seen in summer and autumn.
Symptoms and Course
The illness is caused by various resilient viruses, which is what makes it so contagious. Early signs can include fever, loss of appetite, sore throat, aches in the limbs, and headache . One to two days after the onset of Fever , small form themselves red spots on the oral mucosa (aphthae), primarily on the tongue and gums. As the illness progresses, these spots develop into painful, white-gray blisters. One to two days later, flat or raised red spots may also appear around the mouth and on the palms and soles—the typical pattern that gives the disease its name. In some cases, the spots can also occur on the buttocks, in the genital area, or on the knees or elbows. In rare cases, inflammation of the tonsils and lips may also occur. Usually, the rash does not itch, but in some cases, it can.
In the vast majority of cases, hand-foot-and-mouth disease is mild, and most children and adults recover within five to seven days without medical treatment. The blisters heal on their own and do not leave permanent scars. Over 80% of infected individuals—especially adults—show no symptoms at all but can still transmit the virus.
As with all viral illnesses, hand-foot-and-mouth disease can very rarely lead to complications such as meningitis, pneumonia, or myocarditis. Even more rarely, about four weeks after infection, peeling or shedding of the fingernails or toenails may occur—but they will grow back.
Did you know that hand-foot-and-mouth disease is often confused with foot-and-mouth disease? However, the disease that affects cattle, sheep, and pigs has nothing to do with hand-foot-and-mouth disease.
Hand-Mouth-Foot during Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the disease generally progresses mildly , and complications occur only in very rare cases. If you become infected shortly before birth, it is possible to transmit the infection to your baby during delivery. In that case, your baby should definitely receive medical care: Although the illness is mild in most newborns as well, in very rare instances the virus can affect organs such as the liver or heart.
Treatment
If your little explorer is showing typical hand-foot-and-mouth symptoms, you should be sure to contact your doctor —primarily to rule out serious illnesses such as meningitis. If the symptoms are not clear-cut, a hand-foot-and-mouth infection can be confirmed through a stool sample, a throat swab, or a sample from the blisters. You should also seek medical advice if your child is not eating and/or drinking enough. However, this infectious disease is not reportable to the health department.
Aside from possible complications, there is no specific therapy required for hand-foot-and-mouth disease; instead, the symptoms can be alleviated . For the uncomfortable blisters in the mouth, the doctor may prescribe a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory tincture for your child, which can be applied directly to the blisters or used as a rinse. If your little explorer has a fever, suppositories or fever-reducing medication can also help. In cases of very severe itching, an antihistamine is rarely prescribed.
In addition to medication, there are a few things you can do at home to ease your child’s discomfort and support their recovery:
Calf wraps can help reduce fever.
Since swallowing can be uncomfortable with hand-foot-and-mouth disease, offer soft foods like soups, porridge, or yogurt.
Make sure your little explorer drinks enough fluids—a straw can make drinking easier.
Even a water ice can feel soothing and provide relief through cooling.
Your child should avoid acidic foods and drinks.
Loose clothing, cotton bedding, and moderately heated rooms can help prevent itching from getting worse.
Keep your child’s fingernails trimmed short so they don’t scratch their skin if the itching becomes intense.
As long as the blisters have not crusted over, baths should not last longer than ten minutes.
Prevention and Protection
If your child has hand-foot-and-mouth disease, it’s important not only to ease their symptoms but also to protect yourself and others from infection. While symptoms are acute, your child should not attend daycare or similar facilities and should stay home until the infectious blisters have completely dried and all symptoms have fully subsided. Because the virus can still be transmitted even after symptoms disappear, continue to follow hygiene measures when around others to reduce the risk of infection:
Regularly wash your hands and your child’s hands with soap, especially after using the toilet and after changing your baby’s diaper.
Clean frequently touched items regularly: toys, door handles, knobs, etc.
Do not share towels, cutlery, or dishes.
There is no vaccine against the disease. However, if your child has had hand-foot-and-mouth disease once, they will be immune to that specific virus for life. Because several different viruses can cause the illness, it is still possible to get hand-foot-and-mouth disease more than once. Seeing your child with rashes and blisters is certainly not easy for your mama or papa heart. With a little care and lots of love, your little explorer will hopefully get through this childhood illness and be back to themselves soon. Until then, we wish you a speedy recovery!
