How to treat hand, foot and mouth disease in children

The treatment of hand, foot and mouth disease in children is mainly symptomatic, while paying attention to isolation and prevention of complications. Hand, foot and mouth disease is an infectious disease caused by enterovirus, which is common in children under 5 years old, and manifests as fever, oral ulcers and rashes on the hands and feet. Treatment includes fever reduction, oral care, skin care and prevention of dehydration.

1. Antipyretic treatment: When the body temperature exceeds 38.5℃, antipyretic drugs such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used, and aspirin should be avoided. Physical cooling such as warm water baths and ice packs can also help relieve fever symptoms. Pay attention to changes in body temperature to avoid high fever convulsions.

2. Oral care: Oral ulcers can cause pain and difficulty eating. You can use local anesthetics or oral sprays containing lidocaine to relieve pain. Keep your mouth clean, rinse with warm salt water or children's special mouthwash, and avoid irritating foods.

3. Skin care: Hand and foot rashes may be accompanied by itching. Avoid scratching to prevent infection. Use a mild skin cleanser and keep the skin dry and clean. Apply calamine lotion or antihistamine ointment to relieve itching. If necessary, use antibiotic ointment to prevent secondary infection.

4. Prevent dehydration: Oral ulcers may cause children to be reluctant to eat and drink, so they need to be closely monitored for signs of dehydration. Encourage drinking small amounts of water frequently, and oral rehydration salt solution can be used. Intravenous rehydration is required in severe dehydration, and hospitalization is required if necessary.

5. Isolation and prevention: Hand, foot and mouth disease is contagious. Children with the disease should be isolated at home for one week after the symptoms disappear. Pay attention to personal hygiene, wash hands frequently, and avoid sharing items with others. Observe close contacts and perform preventive disinfection when necessary.

Hand, foot and mouth disease in children is mostly a self-limiting disease, and most children can recover within 7-10 days. However, we need to be alert to severe cases. If symptoms such as persistent high fever, mental depression, vomiting, and limb weakness occur, we should seek medical attention immediately. Prevention is better than cure. Maintaining good hygiene habits, avoiding contact with infected people, and timely vaccination are the key to preventing hand, foot and mouth disease.