Definition:
- Small ulcers in the mouth
- A mildly painful mouth
- Small water blisters or red spots located on the palms and soles and on the webs between the fingers and toes
- Five or fewer blisters per limb
- Sometimes, small blisters or red spots on the buttocks
- Low-grade fever between 100o and 102oF (37.8o and 38.9oC)
- Mainly occurs in children 6 months to 4 years of age
Cause:
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is always caused by a Coxsackie A-16 virus. It has no relationship to hoof and mouth disease of cattle.
Expected Course:
The fever and discomfort are usually gone by day 3 or 4. The mouth ulcers resolve in 7 days, but the rash on the hands and feet can last 10 days. The only complication seen with any frequency is dehydration from refusing fluids.
HOME CARE:
Antacid Solution - Use an antacid solution for pain relief. For younger children, put 1/2 teaspoon antacid solution in the front of their mouth 4 times a day after meals. Children over age 4 can use 1 teaspoon of an antacid solution as a mouthwash after meals.
Diet - Change to a soft diet for a few days and encourage plenty of clear fluids. Cold drinks, popsicles, and sherbert are often well received. For a younger child, give fluids by cup rather than from a bottle. Avoid giving your child citrus, salty, or spicy foods. Also avoid foods that need much chewing.
Fever - Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be given for a few days for severe mouth pain or a fever above 102°F (38.9°C).
Contagiousness - Hand, foot, and mouth disease is quite contagious and usually some of your child's playmates will develop it at about the same time. The incubation period after contact is 3 to 6 days. Because the spread of infection is extremely difficult to prevent and the condition is harmless, these children do not need to be isolated. They can return to day care or school when the fever returns to normal range. Although most children are contagious from 2 days before to 2 days after the rash, avoidance of other children is unnecessary.
CALL OUR OFFICE
IMMEDIATELY if:
- Your child has not urinated for more than 8 hours.
- Your child starts acting very sick.
DURING REGULAR HOURS if:
- The fever lasts more than 3 days.
- The mouth pain becomes severe.
- You have other concerns or questions.
Adapted from Instructions for Pediatric Patients by Barton Schmitt (2nd edition, 1999) with permission from the author.
<< Back to Illness Handout Page