Question

Can children with hand, foot, and mouth disease take a bath?

Answer

Yes, it is now possible. Since this disease is caused by a viral infection, there are no effective treatment methods, but the following treatment measures can be taken:

  1. Take antiviral medications such as ribavirin.
  2. Always maintain local hygiene to prevent secondary bacterial infections.
  3. When eating is difficult due to oral ulcers, provide easily absorbable fluids or semi-fluid foods, and rinse the mouth after meals.
  4. Apply gentamicin fish liver oil locally to reduce pain and promote the early healing of ulcerated areas.
  5. When there is a fever, many antipyretic and detoxifying Chinese medicines can be used. Generally, recovery can be expected within 1-2 weeks.