Question
My child is over 3 years old and has small blisters on their hands that are a bit itchy. I suspect it might be Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. They had it once last year and their appetite wasn’t good then. I want to know how to treat it and how serious it is. Thank you.
Answer
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a childhood infectious disease that commonly affects children under the age of 5. It can cause blisters on the hands, feet, and mouth, and in rare cases, may lead to complications such as myocarditis, pulmonary edema, and aseptic meningitis. In some severe cases with rapid progression of the disease, death can occur. The main symptoms are blisters or ulcers on the mucous membranes of the hands, feet, and mouth. HFMD is caused by enteroviruses, with more than 20 types known to cause the disease. Coxsackievirus A16 (CoxA16) and Enterovirus 71 (EV71) are the most common. It is recommended to adopt preventive measures such as frequent hand washing, drinking boiled water, eating cooked food, ventilation, and sunning clothes and bedding. Spring and summer are peak seasons for the spread of enteroviruses, so attention should be paid to environmental and food hygiene as well as personal hygiene. Avoid taking infants to crowded places. Breastfeeding mothers should take frequent baths, change clothes often, and wash their breasts before changing diapers. The above information is about how to prevent and treat Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in children…