{"id":4419,"date":"2024-01-28T11:27:05","date_gmt":"2024-01-28T19:27:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/?p=4419"},"modified":"2024-11-22T13:54:28","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T21:54:28","slug":"hand-foot-and-mouth-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

I often tell my parents that getting certain illnesses after entering daycare or starting preschool is like a rite of passage. Going through each illness<\/a> is painful and exhausting, but it gets easier; trust me, I\u2019ve been there.<\/p>\n

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is one of these illnesses. It\u2019s caused by a virus and starts out like any other cold with cough, runny nose, and maybe some fever. But after 2-3 days, the infamous rash shows up. Kids break out with a blister-like rash on the palms, soles of the feet, and back of the throat. The rash can be on thighs and buttocks, too. The skin rash usually looks scarier than it is; it can be a little itchy, but it otherwise isn\u2019t too painful. But the sores in the back of the throat \u2013 those really hurt!<\/p>\n

How might my child get hand, foot, and mouth disease?<\/h3>\n

According to the CDC, the HFMD virus can be found in saliva, fluid from the blisters, and feces. That means your child might have been sneezed on, shared a toy that was licked by a friend, or perhaps contacted a caregiver who did not wash their hands thoroughly after changing a diaper.<\/p>\n

What do I do if my child has been exposed to hand, foot, and mouth disease?<\/h3>\n

Stay calm and watch your child closely. Once exposed, it may take up to a week before your child shows any symptoms. Remember, HFMD is not a serious disease, and most kids get better without any treatment.<\/p>\n

What do I do if my child gets hand, foot, and mouth disease?<\/h3>\n

The blisters are the telltale sign that it is what you think it is. As mentioned earlier, the blisters on the palms, feet and maybe the buttocks and thighs are more of a nuisance than anything. If they are itchy, you can apply some hydrocortisone lotion to help.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s most bothersome are the sores along the back of the throat and in the mouth. Your child may refuse to eat even their most favorite foods, but don\u2019t panic. Offer them sips of any drink they may like. Keeping them hydrated is key to getting through this illness. You\u2019ll know your child is hydrated when they are urinating at least once every 6 hours and have a moist mouth.<\/p>\n

To keep them hydrated, you may need to get creative with what you\u2019re offering them. If your child is refusing all sorts of liquids, try freezing their favorite fruit (aside from citrus, which may hurt their sores) and giving it to them like a popsicle, or try Pedialyte or other non-acidic popsicles. You can also give your child either children\u2019s ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with the pain or fever. In the end, if all else fails, you can even resort to small amounts of liquid squirted into their mouth through a syringe. If you are concerned that your child is becoming dehydrated, call your pediatrician.<\/p>\n

When can my child go back to daycare if they\u2019ve had hand, foot, and mouth disease?<\/h3>\n

Generally, we recommend waiting until your child is fever-free for 24 hours and able to tolerate liquids on their own. Also, it\u2019s important to ensure that the blisters have dried up before sending them back to daycare or class.<\/p>\n

How long do the HFMD blisters last?<\/h3>\n

The blisters can last from 5 to 10 days.<\/p>\n

Can my child get HFMD again? And could I *gasp* potentially get it as well?<\/h3>\n

Yes and yes. Back in the day, if your child got HFMD once, it was highly unlikely that they\u2019d get it again. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case, because the virus has found a way to mutate and evade our immune response. Therefore, it\u2019s possible for your child to get it again, and there\u2019s a slight chance that you might get it as well. You\u2019ll get through it, too \u2013 just remember to keep hydrated. If you\u2019re ever in doubt about your child staying hydrated, call or bring them in to see their pediatrician.<\/p>\n

When to call your pediatrician:<\/h3>\n