Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
What Is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFM)?
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFM) is a common viral
infection that causes painful red blisters in the mouth and throat, and on the hands,
feet, and diaper area.
HFM is contagious and easily spreads to others through contact with unwashed hands,
feces (poop), saliva (spit), mucus from the nose, or fluid from the blisters. Kids
under age 5 are most at risk for HFM, as infections are common in childcare centers,
preschools, and other places where kids are in close quarters.
Besides the blisters, kids often have a fever for
a few days and can get dehydrated
because it hurts to swallow liquids. Symptoms usually clear up within a week and kids
recover completely.
There's no cure for HFM and no vaccine to prevent it, but your doctor can recommend
home care to make your child more comfortable during recovery.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFM)?
The blisters caused by HFM are red with a small bubble of fluid on top. They often
peel, leaving an ulcer, which is a sore with a reddish base. The soles of the feet
and the palms of the hands may have a rash that can look like flat red spots or red
blisters.

Occasionally, a pink rash may be seen on other parts of the body, such as the buttocks
and thighs. However, some kids will have no problems other than sores in the back
of the throat.
It can be hard for parents to tell if a child (especially a very young one) has
HFM if sores are only inside the mouth or throat. Very young kids might not be able
to communicate that they have a sore throat, but if a child stops eating or drinking,
or wants to eat or drink less often, it's a sign that something is wrong.
A child with HFM also might:
- have a fever, muscle aches, or other flu-like symptoms
- become irritable or sleep more than usual
- begin drooling (due to painful swallowing)
- only want to drink cold fluids
How Is HFM Treated?
You can give acetaminophen
or ibuprofen if your
child is achy or irritable. Never give aspirin to children or teens,
as it may cause a rare but serious illness called Reye
syndrome.
Cold foods like ice cream, smoothies, and popsicles also help by numbing the area,
and will be a welcome treat for kids who have trouble swallowing (and even those who
don't!). Avoid hot drinks, sodas, and acidic food (citrus juice, tomato sauce, etc.)
because they can make the pain worse.
Kids with blisters on their hands or feet should keep the areas clean and uncovered.
Wash the skin with lukewarm soap and water, and pat dry. If a blister pops, dab on
a bit of antibiotic ointment to help prevent infection and cover it with a small bandage.
Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Call your doctor
if your child remains very irritable, can't be comforted, is sluggish, or seems to
be getting worse. Also call if you see signs of dehydration, like a dry or sticky
mouth, sunken eyes, or decreased urine output.
Can Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFM) Be Prevented?
To prevent the spread of HFM, keep kids home from school and childcare while they
have a fever or open blisters on the skin and in the mouth.
Hand washing is the best protection. Remind
everyone in your family to wash their hands well and often, especially after using
the toilet or changing a diaper, and before preparing or eating food. Shared toys
in childcare centers should be cleaned often with a disinfectant because many viruses
can live on objects for a few days.
Date reviewed: March 2017
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