What is Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease?

Question

What is Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease?

Answer

Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease is a contagious illness caused by a virus that primarily affects children, characterized by rashes or blisters on the hands, feet, and mouth. This condition is not specifically documented in ancient Chinese medical texts, but based on its symptoms and characteristics, it resembles the categories of “Warm Disease,” “Wet Warm Disease,” and “Epidemic Disease” in traditional Chinese medicine. It falls under the category of empirical evidence and hyperthermia. Treatment methods include dispelling wind and clearing heat, clearing the heart and reducing fire, clearing summer heat and resolving dampness, and nourishing yin and reducing fire. In clinical observation, besides the rash or blisters on the hands, feet, and mouth, symptoms such as fever, bad breath, drooling, refusal to eat, restlessness, constipation or poor bowel movements, a red tongue with yellow fur, and slippery or purplish pulse are also observed. The cause may be due to external infection by seasonal pathogenic viruses and internal accumulation of heat in the spleen and stomach. Treatment should focus on clearing heat and reducing the spleen, detoxifying and cooling blood. In the acute phase, a self-compiled formula called “Clearing Heat and Reducing Spleen Drink” can be used, which has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, cooling blood and breaking out rashes, drying dampness and relieving restlessness. However, it is important to adjust the medication in time when symptoms are alleviated to prevent excessive use of bitter and cold drugs that harm the spleen and stomach. Preventive measures include isolating sick children, strengthening infant health care, and maintaining adequate ventilation and temperature in living environments.