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1. Definition of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease is an acute infectious illness caused by Enterovirus, a type of virus. The disease can spread from person to person through the digestive tract or contact with saliva, throat discharge, and the fluid from blisters of an infected person. It is a common ailment in children under 5 years old.
2. Signs of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
If you suspect a child has Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, refer to the following signs for accurate and timely diagnosis, prevention, and home treatment:
- Children may show signs of fatigue, frequent crying, reluctance to eat, vomiting, shaky limbs, unsteady walking, and occasional sudden jerks during sleep. They might experience mild or high fever ranging from 38 – 39 degrees Celsius.
- Mouth ulcers may appear with small water-filled blisters measuring 2-3mm on areas such as hands, feet, and mouth. These blisters are often hard to detect as they burst quickly, forming ulcerations. The sores on the hands and feet can lead to skin abrasions, itching, and pain. Meanwhile, the blisters in the mouth can cause significant pain during eating and increased saliva production.
Some types of water blisters that appear on the hands, feet, and oral mucosa of the child are easily identifiable, such as:
- Gray, oval-shaped blisters ranging from 2-10mm.
- Blisters on the buttocks and knees commonly appear on a pink background.
- Blister on the palms and soles may protrude above the skin, feeling spongy or hidden beneath the skin, often painless when pressed.
Note:
If the child experiences persistent high fever, fatigue, excessive sleep, night sweats, overall body chilliness, or localized coldness in the hands or feet, rapid or abnormal breathing such as breath-holding, shallow breathing, chest retractions, wheezing, shaky limbs, unsteady walking, it indicates a relatively severe case of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. In such instances, it is crucial to promptly seek medical attention.
3. Preventive measures for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in children
The Ministry of Health has stated that there is currently no specific vaccine or treatment for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. Therefore, it is essential to implement standard preventive measures, especially focusing on direct contact prevention as follows:
- Maintain regular personal hygiene and wash hands with soap, especially after changing clothes or diapers for children in contact with feces or saliva.
- Thoroughly clean toys and household items placed on the floor for the child.
- Mop the floor with a 2% Chloramin B disinfectant solution or other disinfectant solutions.
- Isolate the child with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease at home. Absolutely do not take the child to daycare, school, or places where children gather during the first 10 – 14 days of the illness to prevent the spread of the disease.
4. Home Remedies for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease using 4 simple but highly effective folk remedies
For families with children under 5 years old, parents are concerned about how to quickly cure Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease for their child, considering the increasing danger of this disease. If you are also looking for simple and effective ways to treat Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease at home, don't overlook these 4 folk remedies for a speedy recovery:
4.1 Folk remedy for treating Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease with watercress
Watercress has the ability to cool the body, detoxify, promote urination, have antiseptic properties, and anti-inflammatory effects. This common vegetable can be effectively used to treat Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease at home, providing a quick recovery.
Using watercress to treat Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: Crush watercress, add it to boiling water to warm up, then bathe the child without rinsing with clear water. Afterward, use turmeric extract on the water blisters, ulcers, or apply aloe vera gel to the affected areas on the skin.
Additionally, you can blend watercress for the child to consume for 5-7 days until fully recovered.
4.2 Soaking salted lemons to cure Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in children
Salted lemons are an excellent herbal remedy to boost the body's immunity and eliminate the virus causing Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. This folk remedy for treating hand, foot, and mouth disease with salted lemons is quite effective and has been widely practiced. Therefore, you can use this folk remedy for children who have not developed complications like mouth ulcers due to hand, foot, and mouth disease.
How to soak salted lemons to cure Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in children: Choose fresh lemons, rub them with a little salt for 1-2 minutes, then wash them thoroughly, drain, and cut into slices about 1/3 the thickness of a fingernail. Place the lemons in a jar to soak with honey. The soaking ratio is 3 lemons to 500ml of honey. Then, refrigerate the lemon and honey jar for 3 days before use.
How to use: When preparing a glass of salted lemon honey, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 3-5 tablespoons of the soaked lemon honey to 150ml of boiling water. Stir well, wait until warm, then have the child drink it daily until fully recovered.
Note: Do not use honey for children under 12 months old.
4.3 Folk remedy for treating Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease with garlic
Garlic has antiviral and antibacterial properties that help prevent infection from ulcers. It is also a spice with antiviral and antibacterial effects, aiding in preventing infections from ulcers.
How to use: It is recommended to crush or finely chop garlic and incorporate it into the child's daily meals. Additionally, children undergoing treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease with this folk remedy should limit the consumption of pungent foods such as shrimp, fish, and squid, as these foods may cause itching in the ulcers caused by the disease.
4.4 Folk remedy for treating Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease with peppermint
Peppermint has cooling, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and healing properties, making it suitable for treating Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in children.
How to use: Boil a small handful of peppermint in 1 liter of water for about 15 minutes, then strain and use the liquid for drinking. Consuming about 2 cups per day is highly beneficial for children with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.
Here is valuable information about Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease and folk remedies, ways to quickly cure the disease for your child. Apply these easy and readily available remedies from your garden to expedite your child's recovery from Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease!
