From the Research
Hand, foot, and mouth disease treatment should focus on symptom management, as it is a viral infection that typically resolves on its own within 7-10 days, with the most recent and highest quality study 1 supporting this approach. The treatment involves managing symptoms such as fever and pain, and preventing complications.
Key Considerations
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce fever and alleviate discomfort, as recommended by 2 and 1.
- For children, use age-appropriate dosing as indicated on the medication packaging.
- Cold foods like popsicles, ice cream, or cold beverages can soothe mouth sores, while avoiding spicy, salty, or acidic foods that may cause irritation.
- Salt water rinses (1/2 teaspoon salt in 1 cup warm water) can help relieve mouth pain, as suggested by 2.
- Keep the affected person well-hydrated, as mouth sores may make drinking painful, potentially leading to dehydration.
- Topical oral anesthetics like benzocaine can temporarily numb mouth pain, but use with caution in young children.
- Rest is important for recovery, and maintaining good hygiene by washing hands frequently helps prevent spreading the virus to others.
- The disease is most contagious during the first week, so infected individuals should avoid close contact with others during this period.
- Since this is caused by enteroviruses (commonly coxsackievirus), antibiotics are ineffective, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms while the immune system fights the infection, as stated in 2 and 1.
Prevention
- Vaccination of susceptible individuals in high-risk areas and good personal hygiene are important preventative measures to combat the disease, as recommended by 1 and 3.
- Familiarity with the disease, including its atypical manifestations, is crucial for making a correct diagnosis and initiating appropriate treatment.
- A timely diagnosis can help avoid contact with the affected individual and decrease the risk of an outbreak, as highlighted in 3.