Hand, foot and mouth disease relief

Mouth ulcers can sting with salty, spicy or acidic foods, while blisters on the hands and feet may feel tender when touched. Fever and poor sleep can leave a child irritable and less interested in drinking. The illness usually improves with supportive care, but mouth pain matters because it can reduce fluid intake. A rash that is painful, hot, increasingly red or draining needs a different assessment.

Give small sips often rather than waiting until the child asks for a drink. Try cool water, milk or an appropriate oral rehydration drink, and offer soft foods such as yoghurt if tolerated. Avoid foods that sting the ulcers. Use only pain or fever medicine suitable for the child’s age and health, following the label or a clinician’s instructions. Keep fingernails short and use loose clothing if the skin is irritated.

Seek a Child Health Consultation when pain stops the child drinking, vomiting prevents fluids staying down, or the child is unusually drowsy or weak. Get urgent help for breathing problems, a seizure, blue or grey skin, or difficulty waking. Arrange medical advice if fever is troubling, lasts longer than expected, or returns after improvement. Do not put unprescribed creams or numbing products on a child’s mouth sores.

Ask which medicine and dose are appropriate, whether an oral rehydration drink is needed, how to ease mouth pain at night, and what signs mean the child should be seen promptly.