Hello!

Hi MoM’s, could you please ask your gorgeous community their advice for treating hand foot and mouth disease. Both my 12 month old baby and 5 year old have it. We’ve been told to just stay home (totally understandable) till the blisters are dry and to just keep them comfortable with pain relief. Are there mum’s out there who have done other things? Yes, I have sought medical advice, as bub was admitted to hospital for dehydration from it, it took 8 days and 12 doctors to eventually find out what was wrong with her, my gut feeling was telling me something still wasn’t right. Oh please be nice, I’m not looking for criticism, thank you in advance

Posted by Jeanine, 08/06/13

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  • Keep taking her back if you honestly believe something isn’t right?!
    It does wipe you out though and is very itchy and uncomfortable.
    It took a few Drs to diagnose the hfm for us with a few just saying it was a rash ( it looked like chicken pox blisters!)
    Finally we went back to the childcare to find out it had gone through the whole place!
    Good luck


  • You’ve seen the Doctor and all you can do is take his/her advice. I see this is an older post, hope your children are ok.


  • There is actually nothing you could do besides making sure they are hydrated. It’s a virus and there is no point in anti biotics either.


  • this is quite common these days with kids, nothing to be ashamed of, just try and make them comfortable and keep their fluids up


  • It’s one of those virus that will eventually run its course. You could try coconut oil as it is anti viral?


  • I guess you can try to wash and sun dry as much as possible, and always trust your instincts!


  • I’m glad I haven’t had to deal with this *touch wood* it sounds terrible. Hope you got through it ok


  • That’s the worst thing u can get. So painful. U poor thing


  • Hope you are all better now, hope you managed to get out for a walk or two, that’s what we do to keep ourselves from going crazy when we’re sick!


  • I hope you are all better now.


  • Hope you all got through it ok :) Will be keeping rach’s info in mind if my kids ever get it


  • Staying in is best . It will go away. Dont worry


  • Hope that helps good luck stay strong :-)


  • What is hand, foot and mouth disease?
    Hand, foot and mouth disease is a mild illness caused by one of a group of coxsackie viruses. It gets its name from the little sores that develop on the hands and feet, and in the mouth. It’s common in children under 10, although adults can get a milder form of the virus.

    How can my baby catch it?
    Hand, foot and mouth disease is very contagious and easily passed on from person to person. Your baby can catch it if someone coughs or sneezes near him, or from contact with poo, saliva or fluid from the sores. If your baby catches it he will be most contagious a few days before symptoms appear, so it can be hard to anticipate or prevent.

    Not surprisingly, outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease are common in childcare centres and preschools. Hygiene is very important to prevent it spreading, so wash your hands and your baby’s hands frequently with soap and water.

    How will I know if my baby has hand, foot and mouth disease?
    The telltale signs of the virus are small, blister-like sores in your baby’s mouth, and on his hands and feet. The sores may spread up the backs of his legs and onto his bottom and genitals. The blisters can be extremely sore, and your baby may not want to drink or eat because of the blisters in his mouth. Your baby may also feel unwell, and have a sore throat and mild fever for a day or two, and go off his food.

    It usually takes between three and five days for symptoms to appear once your baby is infected. Hand, foot and mouth disease will be uncomfortable for your baby, but rest assured that it’s not a serious illness.

    Should I call the doctor?
    You’ll probably want to, even though your doctor won’t be able to do much. Hand, foot and mouth disease can’t be treated with antibiotics because it’s a virus. But your doctor can check your baby and confirm that it is hand, foot and mouth disease, and offer some advice on how to care for your baby (see How can I care for my baby while he has hand, foot and mouth disease?).

    Take your baby back to the doctor if his fever gets higher than 39 degrees C, or doesn’t improve after two days. Your doctor may need to check for a secondary infection – this can sometimes happen if your baby’s sores become infected. Also watch out for signs of dehydration if your baby is refusing to swallow because it hurts too much. If your baby won’t eat or drink and has fewer wet nappies than usual, call your doctor.

    How can I care for my baby while he has hand, foot and mouth disease?
    It should take between three and five days for your baby to feel better, and about a week for all of his spots to completely disappear. In the meantime, there are things you can do to help your baby to feel more comfortable:Try giving your baby infant paracetamol or ibuprofen, but only if he is three months or older. This will help to bring down his fever and relieve the pain in his mouth from the sores. Check the packet or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on how much to give your baby.
    Baby teething gel may also relieve your baby’s pain in his mouth. Rub some gel on his gums, tongue and the insides of his cheeks where you can see sores. Don’t give your baby adult mouth ulcer treatments which may contain salicylates, and are not recommended for use in childen. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a baby teething gel that does not contain salicylates.
    If it hurts for your baby to eat or drink, try offering smaller but more frequent feeds of breastmilk or formula. Formula-fed babies can have extra water, too. For a toddler you can offer water and diluted fruit juice, or an ice-block, which will provide fluids and soothe his sores. Cooler liquids are best, as anything hot may worsen the pain in his mouth

    If your baby goes to childcare or preschool, keep him at home until he feels better, and until all the spots and mouth ulcers have gone. While your baby has the virus, it will be uncomfortable for him and tiring for you, but rest assured, you and your baby will be fine.

    Once my baby’s had the virus, can he get it again?
    Yes. Like colds, your baby will be immune to the virus he’s already had, but there are many strains of hand, foot, and mouth disease.

    I’m pregnant – will getting hand, foot and mouth disease harm my baby?
    Adults are often immune to the virus, and if they do get it, it’s usually very mild. However, if you’re pregnant there could be a very small risk if miscarriage if you catch hand, foot and mouth disease. And if you catch it during the third trimester there is a chance you could pass the infection to your baby. If you’re pregnant and you’ve been in contact with a child with hand, foot and mouth disease, wash your hands frequently. You could also try wearing latex gloves when changing nappies, wiping bottoms and noses, or preparing food.


  • Ohh it must be going around as they were taking about it at work. Hope she is better. My daughter had it last year but very very mild and they didn’t even know if it was.


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