Hand-foot-mouth disease affects many children under 10 years of age, as will as young adults. It will usually develop during the summer and fall months. A sore throat or mouth, a fever, and loss of appetite are early symptoms of the disease. Within two days, blisters form in the mouth and on the tongue. Children will have a painless, blistering rash, developing on the fingers, palms of the hands, and sole of the feet. Infants may also develop a red rash on their buttocks. Change the infants diaper often because a wet buttock would only irritate the blisters and might cause more infection or pain.
There is no known treatment for hand-foot-mouth disease other than to give an acetaminophen to reduce the fever and mouth pain while making sure the person drinks plenty of fluids. Never give aspirin to anyone younger than twenty years of age. Make sure to offer soft, bland foods and cool or warm (never hot) beverages. Giving frozen fruit pops may help to relieve mouth soreness. Lemon or orange sherbet ice cream could be another cooling food option. Calamine lotion may help soothe the rash on the hands and feet.
The virus that causes hand-foot-mouth disease is very easily spread, so a person with the disease should not go to day care, school, or work while the symptoms are present. All symptoms should go away after about a week. The virus is spread through contact with mouth, nasal fluids and stools, so wash your hands after blowing a runny nose or changing a diaper. Change the sheets and clothing every day to prevent the virus from spreading.
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