Question

What medications should be used to treat a child diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease for the best effect?

Answer

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is an infection caused by a virus. The focus of treatment is on isolation and maintaining good hand hygiene, while encouraging the child to drink plenty of water, consume fresh fruits and vegetables, and avoid spicy and stimulating foods. Oral antiviral granules and cooling and detoxifying granules can be administered. For itching caused by rashes, calamine lotion or aloe vera gel can be used to relieve symptoms and prevent skin breakage that may lead to infection. If there is a secondary bacterial infection, antibiotics should be used under a doctor’s guidance. Generally, after about one week of treatment, the condition can be completely alleviated.