Symptoms and Treatment for Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in a Child

Hand, foot and mouth disease is an infection caused by Enterovirus 71 and Coxsackie A located in the intestines.

Although the infection is usually not serious, your child can be plagued with the symptoms for up to four weeks especially around the mouth area. The incubation period ranges between three and seven days after your child has been in contact with another infected child. The infection generally occurs in epidemics during summer or warm autumn months and is highly contagious. The good news however is when your child had it once, he is immune to it for the rest of his life.

Signs and Symptoms

• Tiredness, irritability and a sore throat are the initial symptoms after which a mild fever and blisters on the inside of the mouth will appear. They can ulcerate and make eating painful and difficult.
• Vomiting and headache may be experienced.
• After a day or two small blisters will appear on the hands and feet which usually itchy but not painful, and will disappear within three to four days, as well as any fever symptoms. Sometimes a non-itchy body rash occurs.
• Diarrhea with sores and blisters on the buttocks of babies and small children are fairly common.

Treatment

No real treatment exists except for providing pain relief and monitoring fever. Occasionally, secondary complications such as encephalitis or meningitis may appear. If your child is not improving within a week, you must see a doctor.

• Homeopathic Odon remedy may prevent and provide relief for ulceration in the mouth.
• Homeopathic remedies for immune boosting may reduce the impact of the outbreak.
• Tissue salt remedies like Ferrum phos and Nat mur can be used to treat blisters or inflammation in the mouth.
• Ointments can be topically applied to hand and foot blisters to reduce spreading.
• Have your child drink liquids such as non-acidic beverages and thin soups if possible.