Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

What is hand, foot and mouth disease?

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a disease caused by a Coxsackie virus. Children 6 months to 4 years old are most at risk. The disease happens most often in the summer or fall.

Your child may have hand, foot, and mouth disease if your child has:

• Small, painful sores in his mouth that are sometimes too small to see
• Small water blisters or red spots on the palms of his hands and soles of the feet. You may also see these on the fingers and toes. A rash that’s mainly on the hands and feet is what makes this diagnosis.
• Five or fewer blisters on each hand or foot
• Fever between 100°F and 102°F
• Blisters that spread to the forearms, lower legs, and face (may be a sign of a more severe form of the disease)

The fever goes away by the 3rd day. The mouth sores go away in 7 days. The rash on the hands and feet can last 10 days.

How can I take care of my child?

Helping the pain from mouth sores.

• If your child is very young, put 1/2 teaspoon antacid solution in the front of the mouth 4 times a day after meals.
• Children over age 4 can use 1 teaspoon of an antacid solution as a mouthwash after meals.
• Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen if your child's mouth really hurts, or for fever over 102° F. Avoid aspirin in children and teens.

Feeding your child.

• Give soft foods, like yogurt, cottage cheese, and Jell-O.
• Use a cup instead of a bottle.
• Cold drinks, milkshakes, Popsicles, and sherbet can feel good.
• Stay away from citrus, salty, or spicy foods.

Spreading hand, foot, and mouth disease.

• Your child's playmates may get the disease in 3 to 6 days.
• Your child may go back to school when the fever goes away.
• In the type with lots of blisters, your child should stay home until the blisters dry up.

Call your child's doctor right away if:

• Your child has not urinated for more than 8 hours.
• Your child gets a stiff neck.
• Your child acts very sick.

Call your child's doctor during office hours if:

• The fever lasts more than 3 days.
• You have other concerns or questions.