From www.thebump.com Show By Anita Davies Here’s what you need to know about the mild but highly contagious illness that often lurks in kids’ classrooms. The mere mention of “hand, foot and mouth disease” is enough to make any parent shudder. This common childhood illness is incredibly contagious and can tear through playrooms, day care centers and preschool classrooms at an alarming clip. And while its symptoms tend to be relatively mild, hand, foot, and mouth disease can make babies and toddlers (and their caregivers) pretty miserable. Here’s everything you need to know, including how to prevent it in your little one (and yourself!). What is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease? Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a type of viral infection, explains Sarah Kohl, MD, a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and founder and president of TravelReadyMD. The funny-sounding name is derived from the telltale rash that generally appears on the hands, feet and mouth (as well as blisters surfacing in the mouth) of those infected. The virus usually manifests with a high fever that may spike before the outbreak of the rash. What Causes Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease? Hand, foot, and mouth disease is typically caused by the Coxsackie virus—usually, but not always, the Coxsackie 1 virus. It’s most commonly seen in babies and kids younger than 5, because they haven’t been previously exposed to the virus and haven’t developed an immunity to it yet. But older children and adults can also contract hand, foot, and mouth disease—even if they’ve had it before. That’s because the illness can be caused by several different viruses and even different strains of the Coxsackie virus, says Bande Virgil, MD, a pediatrician and creator of The Mommy Doc website. So while you’d become immune to the specific virus that caused the illness the first time around, you’re still susceptible to other strains. How contagious is hand, foot, and mouth disease? Very! “These viruses spread quite easily,” says Jeffrey Kahn, MD, director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. It’s generally contracted through contact with feces, saliva or mucus, and while it can surface year-round, hand, foot, and mouth disease tends to cluster in the summer and fall, according to Jonathan Auth, MD, a pediatrician at CHOC Hospital in Orange County, California. And because parents may not realize their child is infected at first, it paves the way for the illness to quickly spread through day care centers and nursery schools. So when is hand, foot, and mouth disease contagious? Here’s the tricky thing: It’s often contagious before any clear signs of the illness are present. “Because the virus can be shed by people without symptoms, it can be impossible to completely avoid exposure,” Kohl says. Symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease While an official diagnosis can be made via a mouth swab or stool sample, pediatricians often simply make a determination based on the symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease, says Adam Spanier, MD, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore—which is why it’s important to call your pediatrician if you suspect your child may have the illness. The telltale sign is the red rash, but you can’t always rely on it as an indicator. Sometimes, the rash can be quite subtle, Virgil says, or you may not see the rash before you notice a fever. You also may not spot a rash at all, since it can take the form of ulcers hidden inside your child’s mouth or throat. Here, some symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease to look for:
Pregnant moms who have been exposed to the illness and experience any of these symptoms should let their obstetrician know right away. “Fever in pregnancy can be harmful to a fetus, especially in the first trimester,” Virgil notes. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Treatment “While there’s no medical cure or treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease, your pediatrician can help you come up with ways to make your child more comfortable while the illness runs its course,” Auth says. Here, some home remedies for hand, foot, and mouth disease to try.
How Long Does Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Last? The good news: By the time your child’s fever resolves, he may be back to his usual playful self, especially if his blisters are mild. The bad news: If he still has lesions, he may not be welcome back in day care just yet. “Children are usually considered contagious until the lesions resolve, which may take five to seven days out of day care or preschool,” Virgil says. Following a bout of hand, foot, and mouth disease, peeling nails (and skin on the hands and feet) can sometimes happen, even a few days or even weeks after the illness has run its course. “A lot of parents see this and panic,” Spanier says. “Even though it’s weird, it’s just another effect of the virus and nothing to worry about.” Keep hands and feet clean and moisturized—the nails will grow back and look like normal in a few months. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Prevention No matter how hygiene-focused you are, hand, foot, and mouth disease can be tough to avoid, particularly if your little one is in day care, preschool or engages in organized activities with other toddlers. Still, there are some things you can do help prevent it.
Can I give my 2 year old Benadryl for hand foot and mouth?For young children over 1 year old, put 1/2 teaspoon antacid solution, Maalox, and half teaspoon Benadryl in the front of the mouth three times a day after meals.
Do antihistamines help with hand foot and mouth?Treatment for HFMD is mainly symptomatic. Antipyretics are given to control fever and antihistamines to reduce itching.
Can you give a baby Benadryl for hand foot and mouth?A Benadryl and Maalox mixture may be given. Add 1/2 tsp Benadryl to 1/2 tsp of Maalox. In children under the age of 4 place the mixture in the front of mouth after meals. In children ages 4 and up mix equal amounts of Benadryl and Maalox and use as a mouthwash after meals.
How do you make hand foot mouth rash go away faster?There's no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Symptoms of hand-foot-and-mouth disease usually clear up in 7 to 10 days. A topical oral anesthetic may help relieve the pain of mouth sores.
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