Question

What foods are beneficial for babies with hand, foot, and mouth disease?

Answer

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common childhood infectious disease caused by enteroviruses. A combination of Western and Chinese medicine is generally recommended for treating hand, foot, and mouth disease, often involving a combination of oral medications and topical treatments, such as using ribavirin spray for mouth application and acyclovir ointment for external use. Additionally, taking oral capsules of Shuanghuanglian as a treatment is common. Typically, uncomplicated cases can heal within about a week with good prognosis. During this period, parents are advised to pay attention to the following points:

  1. Regularly clean the baby’s mouth with warm water to alleviate pain and irritation.
  2. Avoid giving the child cold or overly stimulating foods to prevent exacerbation of pain and lead to refusal to eat.
  3. Choose easily digestible and light foods, and encourage the child to drink warm water or fresh fruit juice.
  4. Maintain good ventilation in the living environment and keep the temperature and humidity appropriate.