Question
My child has been feeling unwell recently and keeps crying. After a thorough examination, it was diagnosed as hand, foot, and mouth disease. The baby wants to drink milk. Can a child with hand, foot, and mouth disease drink milk?
Answer
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is not preventable, but milk is safe to consume. Although hand, foot, and mouth disease in children is not a severe illness, the incubation period for mild cases is usually 3 to 4 days and can be cured on its own. However, it is highly contagious. Oral blisters can lead to ulcers and pain, which can disrupt a child’s appetite. If not treated promptly, it may lead to recurring encephalitis, pneumonia, and myocarditis, posing harm to vital organs. Children should rest in bed for a week and drink warm water. Since children with hand, foot, and mouth disease may have fever, oral blisters, decreased appetite, and a lack of desire to eat, their diet should be light, tasty, and easy to absorb. Oral disarray allows for many liquid foods. Cold food and other irritating foods should be avoided.