Everything to Know About HFMD Treatment, Causes and Symptoms

No one wants to see their child struggling with any kind of pain. But if they are affected by Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD), the viral illness? HFMD is an infectious disease that usually occurs in infants and children. This leaves blisters or sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet.

As HFMD gets severe, it starts causing excessive discomfort to the child, and another saddening part about this disease is that it spreads from person to person. Well, there are effective treatments and home remedies available to cure HFMD disease.

Keep reading. Here, we have put together everything about HFMD, including symptoms, home remedies available to treat it naturally, and much more.

About HFMD

HFMD is a viral illness common among young children. This type of disease can be spread through direct contact and is called the Coxsackie virus. HFMD is in peak contagious state in the first 7 days and can resolve on its own within 1-2 weeks.

Since HFMD is due to a virus, antibiotics won’t do anything. Rest, rehydration, and symptomatic treatment still help in recovery.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Symptoms

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease may cause all of the following symptoms or only some of them. They include:

• Fever.
• Sore throat.
• Feeling sick.
• Painful, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks.
• A rash on the palms, soles and sometimes the buttocks. The rash is not itchy, but sometimes it has blisters. Depending on skin tone, the rash may appear red, white, gray, or only show as tiny bumps.
• Fussiness in infants and toddlers.
• Loss of appetite.

Causes of hand, foot, & mouth disease (HFMD)

Hand foot mouth disease icd 10 is caused by enteroviruses. Coxsackievirus is one of the most common causative viruses. It is due to:

The illness spreads by person-to-person contact with an infected person’s:

• Nose secretions or throat discharge
• Saliva
• Fluid from blisters
• Stool
• Respiratory droplets sprayed into the air after a cough or sneeze

Stages of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Although very prevalent in children, HFMD infection also affects adults; this is very similar to the symptoms in children. Below are stages of hand, foot and mouth disease in adults:

1. Incubation Period: This is the time when the virus is in your system but you don’t yet have any symptoms, typically 3 to 6 days. 
2. Early Symptoms: This phase may include fever, sore throat, reduced appetite, and general malaise (feeling unwell). 
3. Oral Lesions: Small, red spots or sores may develop in the mouth, particularly on the tongue, gums, and inner cheeks. These sores can become painful ulcers. 
4. Skin Rash: Red spots or blisters may appear on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. In some cases, they can also appear on the knees, elbows, buttocks, or genital area. 
5. Resolution: The symptoms gradually subside over 7-10 days, with the sores and rash healing and the fever resolving

Diagnosis of HFMD

The doctor will likely decide if the child has hand-foot-and-mouth disease or other types of viral infections by evaluating:

• child’s age
• symptoms
• How the rash or sores look like

The doctor may take a throat swab or stool specimen and send the sample to the lab to determine which virus caused the illness.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Possible Treatment

Symptomatic relief alone is enough for HFMD, and there is no requirement for antiviral therapy.

• Rest allows the body’s immune system to work on the virus.
• Referrals to specialists for poor health or infection that lasts more than ten days in HFMD. 

Ensure adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration. Cold liquids are generally preferable. Spicy or acidic substances may cause discomfort. 

Fever may be treated with antipyretics.

Home Remedies for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Below are some possible home remedies for HFMD treatment:

• Cool compress: Cool compressing of the affected skin area to lessen itching.
• Oatmeal bath: Oatmeal bath is highly soothing.
• Calamine lotion: Calamine lotion on rash will stop itching.
• Coconut oil: Applying a small amount of coconut oil to a rash and blister makes healing easy, as coconut oil is an antiseptic.
• Eat soft foods that don’t need much chewing.

It is always better to consult hand, foot and mouth disease specialists when trying any new home remedies for HFMD treatment.

Who is at risk of getting affected by HFMD?

Certain people are at higher risk of developing HFMD:

• Infants and toddlers: Children under five have poorer immunity and are overcrowded, with poor ventilation and closed-contact environments such as daycare.
• Caregivers and relatives: Adults at risk of close contact with infected children or who become infected themselves are likely to be infected with the virus.
• Immunocompromised hosts: Patients with impaired immunity, i.e., patients undergoing chemotherapy or having chronic disease, will likely be infected.

Preventive Measures of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Being an infectious illness, the proper measures have to be undertaken:

• Hand washing: Hand washing several times with soap and water following the toilet visit or changing diapers.
• Cleaning the surface: Use disinfectants to sanitize contact points like the kitchen counter, door handles, and toys.
• Preventing close contact: Do not kiss, hug, or share meals with the patient.
• Respiratory tracts’ hygiene: Promote nose and mouth covering when sneezing or coughing to avoid discharging respiratory droplets.

When to Visit a Doctor?

• Isn’t drinking enough liquids to prevent dehydration.
• Has a fever that lasts for more than three days.
• Doesn’t seem to be improving after 10 days.
• Has severe itching or blistering.
• Has a weakened immune system.

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is usually a minor illness. It usually only causes fever and mild symptoms for a few days. Sometimes the enterovirus that causes hand-foot-and-mouth disease enters the brain and causes serious complications:

• Viral meningitis. This is a rare infection and inflammation of the membranes (meninges) and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
• Encephalitis. This severe and potentially life-threatening disease involves brain inflammation. Encephalitis is rare.

HFMD has no cure, but appropriate management and care will correct the symptoms and prevent complications. Don’t ignore it, and refer to a health practitioner if necessary.

Conclusion 

Getting prone to HFMD is the most saddening thing for any child, which can hinder their peace. Besides that, it can even affect adults with weak immune systems. By promoting hygiene and taking precautions with natural remedies, you can free your child from HFMD early. This type of disease rarely leads to serious complications and even resolves on its own within 1-2 weeks.

If the disease is getting severe daily, consulting with a healthcare professional is great.

References : 

Mayo Clinic – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353035

National Institute of Health – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431082/