What are the recommendations for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in adults?

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Last updated: April 24, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Research

For adults with hand, foot, and mouth disease, focus on supportive care while the virus runs its course, typically 7-10 days, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study 1. The illness is caused by enteroviruses, most commonly Coxsackievirus A16, and while uncomfortable, it typically resolves without complications in adults. Key aspects of supportive care include:

  • Taking over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500-1000mg every 6 hours or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 400-600mg every 6-8 hours to manage fever and pain, as suggested by 2.
  • Staying hydrated with cool liquids, avoiding acidic drinks that may irritate mouth sores.
  • Using saltwater rinses (1/2 teaspoon salt in 1 cup warm water) several times daily to soothe mouth ulcers.
  • Applying topical oral anesthetics like benzocaine or lidocaine for temporary relief, although it's worth noting that oral lidocaine is not recommended by 2. Some important considerations for management and prevention include:
  • Resting adequately and isolating oneself to prevent spreading the virus, which is highly contagious through respiratory droplets, fecal matter, and direct contact with lesions.
  • Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom and before eating, as emphasized by 2.
  • Disinfecting commonly touched surfaces regularly to reduce the risk of transmission. It's also important to be aware that while there are no specific antiviral agents approved for the treatment of hand, foot, and mouth disease, research into novel strategies for vaccine and antiviral development is ongoing, as discussed in 3.

References

Research

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: A Narrative Review.

Recent advances in inflammation & allergy drug discovery, 2022

Research

Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Rapid Evidence Review.

American family physician, 2019

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.