Attention Bangalore parents! Mercury is rising, and so are the viral infections in summer. Just like winters bring coughs and sneezes in kids, summer too has its share of health concerns. Hand, foot, and mouth disease in kids is a common concern in this season. The name may sound terrifying to parents. However, understanding more about the disease, HFMD symptoms in children, treatment options, and prevention tips can help parents manage the condition calmly and seek timely care for their child.
Hand foot mouth disease is a viral infection affecting kids. Its symptoms include fever, sore throat, and painful blisters that appear on the hands, feet, and inside the mouth. This disease is caused by the coxsackievirus and can spread easily through people and the air. Although adults are not immune to the disease, kids are more prone to the infection because of their developing immune system, mouthing habits, and close proximity to other kids in schools and day care centers.
HFMD in children usually manifests as painful blisters present on the palms of the hands, soles of feet, on the tongue, gums, and inside the cheeks. These rashes may appear differently in kids depending on their skin color. Usually accompanied by high to mild fever, hand foot mouth disease can also cause pain in the throat, resulting in poor appetite. These symptoms may last up to 7 days and require fever and pain management treatment.
The coxsackievirus that causes hand, foot, and mouth disease in kids tends to thrive and spread easily in warmer temperatures. So, during summer, increased outdoor activities, closer proximity with other children, and shared summer activities such as swimming can raise the chances of the virus spreading. HFMD spreads easily through saliva, contaminated surfaces, blister fluid, feces, and air. The virus is the most contagious during the first week of the infection.
Although there is no specific treatment for hand-foot-mouth disease symptoms, managing blister pain, keeping the fever in control, and supporting the child’s immunity with nutritious food and good hydration can help ease the symptoms and support recovery.
Visit your child’s pediatrician at Kinder Hospital, the best pediatric hospital in Bangalore, if you notice Hand foot mouth disease symptoms. Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe medications to manage the fever and ease your child’s discomfort from the blisters. Further, pediatricians may also suggest a change in your child’s diet to include more ice creams and cold smoothies to numb the blisters in the throat and provide relief while swallowing. For blisters on the hands and feet, the doctor will suggest tips to keep the areas clean and may also prescribe ointments for the blisters to prevent infections.
To prevent hand-foot-mouth diseases in kids, keep your surroundings clean and remind everyone in the family to wash their hands regularly, especially when changing diapers, preparing food, and interacting with the child.
Further, if you suspect your child has hand foot mouth disease, it is important to keep your child protected from other kids to prevent the spread of the infection. Keep your child away from school or play home until your doctor says it’s safe for your child to interact with other kids.
Kinder Hospital, a leading pediatric hospital in Bangalore, provides nurturing care for your little one. Our pediatric specialists at Kinder Hospital frequently diagnose and treat seasonal viral infections in children. From summer health tips for kids to tailored treatments for viral infections in summer, our team of pediatricians and healthcare professionals ensures the best care for your child. Schedule your appointment with us and protect your child from summer viral infections in Bangalore.
Common symptoms of hand foot mouth disease in kids include rashes or blisters on the hands, feet, and mouth. It is often accompanied by fever, throat pain, and difficulty in swallowing.
Yes. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is highly contagious, spreading through air, saliva, feces and touching contaminated surfaces.
HFMD in children usually lasts about 7 to 10 days. Most children recover with proper rest, nutritious meals, proper hydration, and symptom management.
