Patient's question:
What are the symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease, and how should it be treated?Doctor's answer:
Hello: Hand, foot, and mouth disease is an infectious disease caused by several types of enteroviruses, primarily affecting children under the age of 5. Its symptoms include small grayish-white vesicles or red papules appearing on the inside of the mouth, hands, feet, and soles of the feet.Currently, there is no specific treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease, and only symptomatic treatment and enhanced care for the child are possible. During fever, the child should rest more, drink plenty of water, eat soft and easily digestible foods, and consume fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins. The child's skin and hands should be washed frequently, and nails should be trimmed short. The child's clothes and bedding should be kept clean, and scratching of the rash should be avoided to prevent infection and pus formation. For broken blisters, gentian violet can be applied. Toys and feces of the child should be disinfected.
Feverish children can also take oral and eye fever-reducing drugs, vitamin C, and traditional Chinese medicines with antiviral effects, such as Radix Isatidis and Folium Isatidis. They can also take heat-clearing and detoxifying Chinese patent medicines, such as Qingwen Jiedu Wan. With proper care, the disease can often be cured without medication.