Hand Foot Mouth Disease

Main Symptoms

Small painful ulcers in the mouth, especially on tongue and sides of mouth (in all children).
Small, thick-walled water blisters (like chickenpox) or red spots located on the palms, soles, and webs between the fingers and toes (70%)
1 to 5 water blisters per hand or foot
Small blisters or red spots on the buttocks (30%)
Low-grade fever 100 ° F to 102 ° F (37.8°C to 39 °C )
Mainly occurs in children age 6 months to 4 years

Cause
Coxsackie A-16 virus.

When to Call Your Doctor for Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If:

Your child looks or acts very sick
Signs of dehydration (e.g. very dry mouth, no tears, no urine > 8 hours)
Stiff neck, severe headache or acting confused

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If:

You think your child needs to be seen
Red, swollen and tender gums
Fever persists > 3 days
Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If:
You have other questions or concerns

Parent Care at Home If:

Probable hand-foot-mouth disease and you don't think your child needs to be seen

Home Care Advice for Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Antacid for Mouth Pain: Use a liquid antacid 4 times per day.
For younger children, put 1/2 teaspoon in the front of the mouth 4 times per day after meals.
Children over age 4 can use 1 teaspoon as a mouth wash after meals.
Soft Diet:
Encourage favorite fluids to prevent dehydration.
Cold drinks, milkshakes, Popsicles, slushes, and sherbet are good choices.
Avoid citrus, salty, or spicy foods.
For infants, give fluids by cup rather than a bottle. (Reason: The nipple can cause pain.)
Fever Medicine: Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen for fever > 102° F (39°C) or severe mouth pain.
Contagiousness: Quite contagious but a mild and harmless disease. Incubation period is 3-6 days. Can return to daycare or school after the fever is gone (usually 1 to 3 days).
Expected Course: The fever lasts 2 or 3 days. The mouth ulcers resolve by 7 days. The rash on the hands and feet lasts 10 days.
Call Your Doctor If:

Signs of dehydration develop
Fever lasts > 3 days
Your child becomes worse or develops any of the Call Your Doctor symptoms