From the Research
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is primarily treated with supportive care, focusing on managing symptoms, as it is a viral infection that typically resolves on its own within 7-10 days. Treatment includes over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to reduce fever and alleviate pain from mouth sores, with dosing following age-appropriate guidelines on the medication packaging 1. Some key considerations for managing HFMD symptoms include:
- Using cold foods like popsicles, ice cream, or yogurt to soothe mouth pain
- Avoiding spicy, salty, or acidic foods that may irritate sores
- Ensuring adequate hydration, especially if mouth sores make drinking painful, and using straws or sippy cups if necessary
- Utilizing salt water rinses (1/2 teaspoon salt in 1 cup warm water) for relief in older children and adults
- Encouraging rest for recovery
Given the contagious nature of HFMD, patients should avoid close contact with others, practice good hand hygiene, and disinfect commonly touched surfaces to prevent spread 2. For severe or complicated cases, intravenous immunoglobulin may be considered as part of the treatment plan, as recommended by several national and international guideline committees 3. However, there are no specific antiviral agents approved for the treatment of HFMD, and vaccination against Enterovirus A71 has been shown to provide a high level of protection against EV-A71-related HFMD, particularly in high-risk areas 1.
In terms of prevention, good personal hygiene, including frequent handwashing and disinfecting potentially contaminated surfaces, is crucial in combating the disease 2. Recognizing atypical manifestations of HFMD, which can mimic other severe skin diseases, is also vital for an accurate and timely diagnosis, allowing for the initiation of appropriate laboratory evaluation and supportive care 4.
Overall, the management of HFMD prioritizes supportive care, prevention of complications, and public health measures to control the spread of the disease, based on the most recent and highest quality evidence available 1.