Hand foot mouth disease

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)

(a viral illness, sometimes referred to as the "seventh disease" – though this term is not used in professional medical literature)

🦠 Disease Overview

• A highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects young children (preschool age)

• Very rare in adults

• Spread mainly through contaminated hands, objects, or respiratory droplets

⏳ Incubation Period and Course

• Incubation period: 3–7 days

• Total duration of illness: 8–10 days

• A child's stool remains infectious for up to 8 weeks after the infection

⚠️ Risks

• Dangerous for pregnant women – may lead to fetal damage or miscarriage

🩺 Symptoms

• Starts with a fever

• Painful mouth ulcers (aphthae) → make eating and drinking difficult

• Blister-like rash on the palms, soles, and sometimes buttocks

• Usually not itchy or painful

🧴 Treatment (Symptomatic)

Antibiotics are not necessary – this is a viral infection

🔹 Relief of pain:

• Paracetamol (e.g., Panadol) or Ibuprofen (e.g., Nurofen) every 6–8 hours

🔹 Fever relief: as instructed here.

🔹 Mouth care:

• Apply anti-inflammatory and analgesic gels to the aphthae (e.g., Gengigel, Mundisal)

• Rinse mouth after meals with:

• Lukewarm chamomile or sage tea

• Clean water or suitable mouthwash (e.g., Glimbax, Florsalmin – depending on age)

🔹 Skin care:

• The rash usually does not need special treatment

• If blisters are weeping or inflamed → Bioderma Cicabio Lotio can be used

🔹 Diet:

• Offer soft, cool foods (e.g., yogurt, refrigerated fruit purées, sometimes even ice cream)

• Avoid:

• Hot foods and drinks

• Acidic, salty, or spicy foods (like citrus fruits, tomatoes)

🔹 Supplements:

• Imunoglukan P4H ACUTE

• B-complex

• Zinc

• Local oral probiotics

• Eutrosis oro gel

🔹 For children with a more severe course (in consultation with a doctor):

• Consider using Isoprinosine

📌 After the Illness

• 1–2 months after recovery, the following may appear:

• Peeling of skin on fingers

• Nail shedding