Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease (HFMD)

HFMD usually shows up as a rash with small blister-like sores. The appearance can vary depending on your child’s skin tone. These blisters commonly form on the hands, feet, gums, tongue, and inside the cheeks.

Other symptoms you might notice include:

• Fever, muscle aches, sore throat, and flu-like feelings
• A non-itchy rash that can be red, white, gray, or tiny bumps on palms, feet, or buttocks
• Irritability or fussiness, especially in infants and toddlers
• Loss of appetite
• Drooling caused by painful swallowing
• Abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea

HFMD is caused by the coxsackievirus A16, which spreads through nasal secretions, blister fluids, and feces. The first week after infection is when your child is most contagious.

Your child can catch HFMD by:

• Contact with virus-containing droplets when someone sneezes, coughs, or talks
• Close contact like hugging or kissing an infected person
• Sharing utensils or cups with someone infected
• Touching an infected person’s feces, such as during diaper changes
• Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth
• Swallowing water from public pools

While anyone can get HFMD, children between 5 and 7 years old are at higher risk, especially in daycare or school environments.

Since HFMD spreads through direct contact, taking preventive steps at home and in childcare settings helps protect your family.

Most children start feeling better within a few days. But if symptoms don’t improve after 7 to 10 days or if you notice:

• Persistent symptoms beyond 10 days
• High fever with chills or shivering
• Signs of dehydration like dry mouth, reduced urination, or crying without tears

please contact your pediatrician promptly.

After diagnosis, your child’s doctor may recommend topical oral anesthetics to ease the pain of mouth sores and over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Symptoms usually improve a few days after starting treatment.

Blister sores can make swallowing painful. To help your child, consider these tips:

• Offer cold treats like ice pops, ice chips, ice cream, and sherbets.
• Encourage sipping cold drinks, including water.
• Provide warm, soothing drinks like tea.
• Avoid acidic foods and drinks such as citrus juices and soda.
• Serve soft foods that are easy to chew.
• Have your child rinse their mouth gently with warm salt water to relieve pain and swelling.
• Use ibuprofen if your child feels achy or irritable.

Never give aspirin to children or teens—it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a serious condition.

Dehydration is the most common complication, resulting from painful sores making it hard to eat or drink. Offer plenty of fluids and treats like popsicles to help.

Severe dehydration may require hospital treatment with IV fluids. Rarely, HFMD can lead to viral meningitis or encephalitis, which involve brain inflammation and need urgent care.

To lower the chances of HFMD in your child, try these prevention tips:

• Wash hands thoroughly: Scrub for at least 20 seconds, especially after bathroom use, diaper changes, before meals, and after coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid putting objects in the mouth: Teach kids not to put fingers or toys in their mouths to reduce germ spread.
• Disinfect shared surfaces: Clean toys, clothes, and common areas with soap, water, and bleach regularly.
• Stick to a cleaning routine: Especially important in daycare settings to minimize virus transmission.
• Keep your child home if sick: Children with HFMD should stay home until blisters heal and fever is gone to protect others.

From common illnesses to allergies and chronic conditions, Sammy Kim, MD offers trusted pediatric care to keep your child healthy.

We provide same-day appointments at our Encino, CA clinic. Call us at (818) 789-0941 or contact us online to schedule a visit.