Question
Last night, I noticed white particles in my baby’s mouth, with excessive drooling and a refusal to eat. The baby is also very fussy and cannot sleep. No particles were found on the hands and feet.
Answer
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is an infectious disease that commonly affects children under 3 years old, peaking during the summer and autumn months. The virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets from the saliva and nasal secretions of infected individuals or carriers, or through contaminated hands and toys with saliva and feces. The onset of the disease is usually accompanied by a low-grade fever for 1-3 days, with symptoms of oral-pharyngeal pain or upper respiratory tract infection. By the second day, red spots begin to appear on the palms and soles of the hands and feet, which then develop into small blisters that dry up and form scabs within 2-4 days. Simultaneously or slightly later, red spots and small blisters appear in the mouth, lips, cheeks, soft palate, and edges of the tongue. The blisters are prone to break open and form ulcerated surfaces. Infants with this condition may dribble saliva, be restless, and refuse to eat. With timely treatment and no complications, recovery can be expected within 7-10 days. The white particles in your baby’s mouth could possibly be candidal stomatitis (thrush), but a diagnosis can only be confirmed by a visit to the hospital.