What is it? Hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness in children caused by the coxsackievirus. It leads to a rash on the hands, feet, and sometimes buttocks, along with painful mouth sores and fever.
Common Types
Typical HFMD (Coxsackie A-16):
Mild rash, usually on hands, feet, and buttocks
Rash includes a few (1–5) small spots or blisters per area
Painful mouth sores
Low-grade fever for 2–3 days
More Severe HFMD (Coxsackie A-6):
Rash is more widespread (can involve arms, legs, face, and trunk)
More numerous, smaller blisters
May lead to peeling skin or fingernail/toenail shedding weeks later
When to Manage at Home
✅ You can manage your child's Hand- Foot- Mouth Disease at home when:
Rash is mild and not spreading rapidly
Child is able to drink fluids
Fever is mild and lasts less than 3 days
No signs of dehydration
Child is alert, responsive, and playful at times
How to Treat at Home
🏠 Home remedies for Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease
Keep your child comfortable:
Offer cold drinks, popsicles, smoothies, and soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, or ice cream
Avoid acidic, spicy, or salty foods that can irritate mouth sores
Relieve fever or pain:
Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) for pain or fever if needed
Mouth rinse for pain (last resort):
For ages 1–6: Mix equal parts Children's Benadryl + Maalox. Dab gently on sores with a cotton swab, up to 4 times/day.
For ages 6+: Use 5 mL as a swish-and-spit rinse. Do not swallow.
Skin care:
Keep rash areas clean and dry
Do not use topical antibiotics or steroid creams unless your care team advises
Safe Medications
When to Contact Poppins
📱 Contact us again when:
Your child isn’t drinking fluids
Fever lasts more than 3 days
Rash spreads rapidly or worsens
Child is more irritable, fussy, or sleepy than usual
You’re unsure if the rash is HFMD or something else
When to Visit Your Pediatrician
🩺 Go to an in-person appointment when:
Mouth sores prevent drinking or eating
You suspect a secondary skin infection
Child continues to drool excessively from mouth pain
When to Go to the ER
🚨 Seek immediate emergency care if your child is:
Very lethargic or unresponsive
Showing signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no urine for 8+ hours, no tears)
Experiencing neck stiffness, headache, or light sensitivity
Breathing rapidly or has a persistent high fever (>102°F)
If your gut tells you something is wrong, don't hesitate to reach out. Need help? Reconnect with our on-demand team of medical staff available 24/7.
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