Mouth-hand-foot: symptoms, contagion and how to treat discomfort naturally

What is “mouth-hand-foot” disease? When you hear it it sounds like the name of a sport. But no, it’s actually a infectious disease caused by the Coxsackie A16 virus It mainly affects children under 10 years of age.

It usually starts in the mouth with redness and vesicles, then it appears on the hands and feet, and even in the diaper area, accompanied by common feverish symptoms. Contagion can occur by direct contact with vesicles, respiratory or mouth secretions, surfaces or objects that have been contaminated or during diaper change. Adults and adolescents can be infected but the condition is milder.

In this article we will learn more about this viral condition and some natural care special procedures to alleviate discomfort, minimize the process and avoid contagion.

Mouth-hand-foot disease: symptoms

The mouth-hand-foot condition usually occurs more in spring, summer and autumn, but with climate change we can see that its period is lengthening. Since a person has been infected, they can pass between 3 to 7 days until symptoms begin.

The symptoms of mouth-hand-foot disease (BMP) are:

Feverish picture General malaise Little desire to eat Headache Appearance of reddened areas or rashes with vesicles on the inner mucosa of the mouth, throat and / or palate. These vesicles and rashes also appear on the hands and feet. In younger children, the diaper area may be affected. iStock The areas where there is redness and vesicles usually cause discomfort and discomfort. Sometimes the vesicles explode when touched: we must take special care and hygiene. When this occurs in the throat, inside the mouth, or on the tongue, small ulcers form, which increases pain and difficulty eating. The discomfort and pain may be more intense, depending on the formation of vesicles on more sensitive areas, with more erythema or rash as occurs in the mouth or in the diaper area.In adults, Mouth Hand Foot disease It can manifest itself mildly with tiredness, loss of appetite, feverish feeling; although, occasionally, vesicles and erythema appear on the hands and feet.

Mouth hand foot: contagion

Parents are especially concerned about contagion at school or daycare centers for children under 5 years that are the most inclined in the childhood section.

If your son or daughter is passing the BMP disease you have to be very careful so as not to infect other third parties, since it could be that you were passing it without realizing it.

In elderly people or with immunological problems, it can manifest as in children and even with certain complications, and for this reason, we must avoid contagion.

The sick person can infect more easily during the first week of illness.BMP disease can be transmitted from person to person through secretions They are shed by coughing, sneezing, blowing their nose, or by saliva when babies drool.It is also spread by touching the areas with vesicles of the sick person, that is, by direct contact, and even by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching our nose, eyes, and mouth.One way of contagion to take into account is during the diaper changes of a sick baby, so special care is recommended. Disposable gloves can be used during diaper changes and be very cautious to avoid further irritation of the baby’s skin.Among children, contagion is more frequent due to the games, the closeness, the movements typical of childhood that, as we know, touch everything: they touch each other, they put everything in their mouths and they touch their faces (eyes, nose, mouth) with great frequency and ease. Drooling is also a source of contagion, through saliva.

To decrease or avoid contagion of the disease Mouth Hand Foot It is important:

Wash your hands well with warm soapy water frequently. Cough and sneeze into the flexure of the elbow.Avoid close contact with other people who are sick.Keep surfaces clean.Make sure that young girls and boys know how to clean themselves well after going to the bathroom. The “oral – fecal” route is a source of contagion for certain viruses, as well as parasites, remember. If you are sick or your son or daughter is, take extreme precautions so as not to infect other people.

Mouth-hand-foot virus: natural treatment of symptoms

Treatment of BMP disease seeks ease the discomfort of the process and facilitate referral.

Calendula infusion

Maintaining good hydration during mouth-hand-foot disease is very important. as in all febrile processes. Drink water that is not very cold; It can be water or warm infusions or weather.

You can prepare it from calendula (flower petals are used), which offers an anti-inflammatory and soothing action that helps heal wounds, calms itching.

Salt water rinses

We put half a tablespoon, which is about 5 g of salt, in a glass of warm water and stir. With this mixture we can rinse the mouth for vesicles or sores, and even gargle if the throat is affected. You can also use the infusion of calendula in the form of mouth rinses.

When we do a rinse, the water moves in the mouth and is spit out afterwards. Then it repeats again. This helps alleviate discomfort.

If the children are small and do not know how to rinse, we can use foam or cotton swabs soaked in salt water or in the infusion and give a few touches very gently. These swabs should be discarded.

The flower petals are used from the calendula and offer us an anti-inflammatory and calming action that helps in the healing of wounds, calms itching. You can also use the infusion of calendula in the form of mouth rinses as we have explained before and also in the form of compresses on the affected areas of the hands and feet.

Compresses with lavender oil, niaouli, calendula

Lavender, niaouli and/or calendula oil can be applied to the hands and feet in the form of compresses. If “pure” essential oil is used, it should be diluted with a base, for example, calendula oil that In addition to offering support, it will complement the anti-inflammatory, antiviral and calming actions.

natural oatmeal gel

Put some whole grain oats to soak in a small saucepan and leave them for a few hours. After time you will see that the water seems to be softer and like mucilaginous, it will be a smooth gel. You can force the process by heating the water, that is, by cooking the oats, but it is best to leave it soaking overnight.

The oatmeal water can be used to wash the affected areas: softens, calms and helps the skin. You can also use this oatmeal water and add it in the bathtub where you wash the baby or your son or daughter. Be careful that the water is not hot but lukewarm.

Oatmeal water can also be used for mouth sores. If your son or daughter has allergy problems to oats, obviously you can’t use it, neither for the body nor in the mouth.

Use natural fabrics

In clothing and underwear used natural and smooth fabrics such as cotton or linen that can be washed at high temperatures. Avoid wool and fabrics that may increase irritation or itching or rupture of the vesicles.

after the bath or for compresses, dry carefully, avoid terry towels, use better smooth and clean cotton or linen fabrics.

Avoid acidic drinks

Avoid sour-tasting drinks, such as citrus juices or carbonated (with gas) because they can irritate reddened areas or ulcers if any. Acidic or spicy foods with a strong flavor should also be avoided.

Since it will be difficult to eat if there are sores or sores in the mouth, offers purees, fruit cooked but not hot, and easy-to-swallow foods.