Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. What it is and Treatments you can use.

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As a mother who has just recently gone through hand foot and mouth with her children, I would encourage you to keep a positive attitude. It may look bad, but in time it will go away.

I have personally used these natural treatments with incredible results. The pictures shown have not been altered in any way, displaying an accurate transformation in my son.

Because I had the oils on hand, I was prepared for the virus and prevented its long-term duration.

 

What is Hand Foot and Mouth Disease?

According to Webmd.com “Hand-foot-and-mouth disease, or HFMD, is caused by a virus. Symptoms include ulcers, or sores, inside or around the mouth, and a rash or blisters on the hands, feet, legs, or buttocks. And while it’s not pleasant, it also isn’t serious.

Anyone can get the disease, but children under age 10 are most likely to catch it. You can take steps to ease the symptoms while it runs its course, though.”

What Causes It?

“The viruses that usually cause hand-foot-and-mouth are named coxsackievirus a16 and enterovirus 71. In fact, you might hear your child’s doctor refer to it as the coxsackie virus.”

The viruses can be found in an infected person’s:

• nose and throat secretions (such as saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus),
• blister fluid, and
• feces (stool).

Hand-foot-and-mouth is highly contagious not only in the United States but across the Globe.

How Does it Spread?

An infected person may spread the viruses to another person through:

• Close personal contact,
• The air (through coughing or sneezing),
• Contact with feces,
• Contact with contaminated objects and surfaces,
• Fluid from blisters,
• Nasal secretion

Examples being; when you kiss someone who has HFMD disease. Touching a doorknob or other surface area that has been contaminated with the viruses and then touching your eyes, mouth or nose. Changing a diaper or touching the sores of an infected person.

It’s also possible to get infected with hand-foot-and-mouth disease if you swallow recreational water, such as water in swimming pools. Although this is not very common, it is how, during swimming lessons, my son caught it.

In general, this is more likely to happen if the water becomes contaminated with feces from a person who has HFAM disease and the pool is not properly treated.

Daycare centers are also a breeding ground for the disease as little hands are constantly touching each other and shared toys. Multiple diaper changes and potty training add to the chances of spreading the disease.

The disease is most common during Summer and Autumn months.

How Do I Avoid Getting the Disease?

Keep bleach wipes handy using them to wipe off handles, toilets, light switches and surfaces at least once a day.

Washing your hands and your child’s with soap and water when you’re in public or around a crowd is a healthy way to avoid getting the infectious HFAM disease.

How Long Is a Person Contagious?

Generally, a person with HFAM is most contagious during the first week of illness. People can sometimes be contagious for days or weeks after symptoms go away. Some people, especially adults, may not develop any symptoms, but they can still spread the virus to others. This is why people should always try to maintain good hygiene (e.g. hand washing) so they can minimize their chance of spreading or getting infections.

You should stay home while you are sick with hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are not sure when you should return to work or school. The same applies to children returning to daycare.  The worst of the symptoms can last around 10 days.

Signs and Symptoms

• Fever
• A sore throat
• Body aches
• Loss of Appetite
• Rash on hands, feet or other areas of the body
• Sores in mouth
• Headaches

Sores in the mouth usually come one to two days after a fever.

Some people, especially young children, may get dehydrated if they are not able to swallow enough liquids because of painful mouth sores.

Not all symptoms will show in every individual. Some people, especially adults, may show no signs or symptoms at all, but they can still pass the virus to others.

Specific Treatments

• For fever use Tylenol (do not use aspirin)
• For the rash mix, 5 drops Thieves Essential Oil, 5 drops Lavender Oil and 5 drops Purification oil and 10 oz coconut oil (I use young living for my oils.) Mix in a little bowl and place on a countertop where your child has access to apply the mixture to their rash all throughout the day. I recommend at least 3 times a day. For children under 5 keep the mixture out of reach and apply to them as needed.
• I also had my children take lukewarm baths. Drip 10 to 12 drops of Lavender oil while the water is running.  This will help relieve the itching.
• Calamine lotion can also relieve itching for a short period of time.
• For my son, who had the rash all over, I gave him allergy medicine before he went to bed. That was only for the first two nights.
• To help combat the Hand Foot and Mouth virus inside the body mix 1 tsp of turmeric in a smoothie. There are also capsules you can buy online or at your local health food store.  I truly believe this is why my children only suffered mild symptoms.

Other than the treatments listed above, the virus must simply run its course which could be around 10 days.

There is nothing a doctor can do for your child other than let you know over the counter medicines which will relieve some of the symptoms. However, if you or your child has a 104-degree fever or higher or is unable to swallow from sores in the mouth, seek a doctor immediately.

Can you get Hand-foot-and-mouth Once You’ve Already Had The Virus?

Since this is a virus, the answer is yes.

Risk Factors

1. Dehydration is the biggest risk factor as the sores in your child’s mouth may become sore making eating or drinking painful. To avoid, monitor fluid intake and have your child take sips throughout the day.
2. Loss of appetite. Get creative and use smoothies, and other cool or cold foods or liquids to ease the soreness of the sores while giving your child the nutrition he or she needs.
3. Viral meningitis is a rare viral infection which causes inflammation of the membranes.

Note:

HFAM is different from foot-and-mouth disease

Mayo Clinic reports:

“Hand-foot-and-mouth disease isn’t related to foot-and-mouth disease (sometimes called hoof-and-mouth disease), which is an infectious viral disease found in farm animals. You can’t contract hand-foot-and-mouth disease from pets or other animals, and you can’t transmit it to them.”

The key to having it short lived is the oil mixture, taking turmeric and placing the mixture where your child can apply it themselves. Beyond that use the other treatments listed and as the good Lord would say, “This too shall pass.”

-Heather Earles