What should you know about hand, foot and mouth disease treatment?

This contagious viral illness can cause fever, sore throat, reduced appetite, and small painful spots or blisters in the mouth, hands, feet, or nappy area. Mouth soreness may make a child refuse food or drink. The skin spots can look uncomfortable, but scratching can irritate them and increase the chance of secondary infection.

Antibiotics do not treat the virus. A child health consultation can confirm whether the pattern fits hand, foot and mouth disease and check for another cause of fever or rash.

Offer frequent small drinks. Cool water, milk, or soft foods may be easier than hot, spicy, salty, or acidic items when the mouth is sore. Use age-appropriate pain or fever medicine only as directed by a healthcare professional or the product instructions; never give aspirin to a child unless specifically prescribed.

Wash hands after helping with the toilet or changing nappies, avoid sharing cups and utensils, and clean frequently touched surfaces. Keep the child home while feverish or too unwell for normal activities, following local nursery or school advice.

Seek prompt advice if a child is drinking very little, passing much less urine, has a dry mouth, is unusually sleepy, or cannot swallow. Urgent help is needed for breathing difficulty, a seizure, confusion, severe headache with a stiff neck, or a child who is hard to wake. See a clinician if fever persists or the rash becomes increasingly red, swollen, or draining.

Ask which fluids and medicines suit your child’s age, how to judge hydration, and when the child can safely return to nursery, school, or group activities.