Fever, a sore mouth that makes a toddler refuse food, and small blisters on the palms, soles and around the mouth: hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common, usually mild viral illness that spreads quickly through nurseries and playgroups, especially in the monsoon season. Most children recover on their own within a week. This guide explains the illness, how to prevent dehydration and spread, the warning signs, and the homeopathic medicines traditionally considered for it.
Hand, foot and mouth disease: quick answers
- What is it? A contagious viral illness, most often caused by coxsackievirus, with fever, mouth ulcers and a blister-like rash on hands and feet.
- Who gets it? Mostly children under five, but older children and adults can get it too.
- How long does it last? Usually 7 to 10 days; the mouth sores are the most painful for the first three to four days.
- Main risk: Dehydration, because a sore mouth makes drinking painful. Offer cold fluids often.
- See a doctor if: Your child cannot drink, has signs of dehydration, a fever that lasts over three days, is very drowsy, or has a stiff neck or breathing difficulty.
About hand, foot and mouth disease
HFMD is caused by enteroviruses, most often coxsackievirus A16 and enterovirus 71. It spreads through saliva, nasal secretions, the fluid in blisters and stool, and on shared toys and surfaces. After exposure it takes three to six days for symptoms to start. Children are most infectious in the first week but the virus can remain in the stool for weeks.
The illness usually starts with fever, sore throat, poor appetite and tiredness, followed in a day or two by painful red spots in the mouth that turn into ulcers, and a rash of flat or slightly raised red spots, sometimes with small blisters, on the palms, soles and often the buttocks. The rash is not usually itchy.
HFMD is generally mild and has no specific treatment: care is aimed at comfort and fluids. Rarely, especially with enterovirus 71, there can be serious complications such as viral meningitis, encephalitis or heart and lung involvement, so any warning sign needs urgent assessment. Adults, including pregnant women, may be affected, and nails may shed a few weeks after the illness.
Common symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease
Symptoms vary from person to person. Common ones include:
- Fever, often 38 °C to 39 °C, with tiredness and irritability
- Painful red spots or ulcers in the mouth, on the tongue, gums and inside the cheeks
- A rash of red spots or small blisters on the palms and soles, sometimes on the buttocks and knees
- Drooling, refusal of food and drink because of mouth pain
- Sore throat and loss of appetite
- Fingernail or toenail shedding a few weeks later in some children
Causes and risk factors of hand, foot and mouth disease
There is rarely a single cause. Factors that may contribute include:
- Infection with coxsackievirus A16, enterovirus 71 and related viruses
- Contact with saliva, blister fluid or stool of an infected person
- Crowded settings such as nurseries and schools, and the rainy season
- Putting contaminated toys or hands in the mouth
- Poor hand-washing after nappy changes and toilet use
When to see a doctor
Most children recover at home, but see a doctor if your child has:
- Refusal to drink, no urine for 8 hours or more, a dry mouth, no tears or sunken eyes (dehydration)
- Fever for more than three days, or a very high fever
- Drowsiness, floppiness, confusion, severe headache or neck stiffness
- Breathing difficulty, fast breathing, a persistent cough or blue lips
- Twitching of the limbs, fits or weakness
- A baby younger than six months, or a child with weak immunity
Wondering which of these medicines is right for you?
Every person with hand, foot and mouth disease is different, and so is the medicine that works best for them. To discover the best-suited homeopathic medicines for hand, foot and mouth disease for you, consult our experts. They will study your symptoms, your past treatment history and your personality, and then find the homeopathy medicines that suit you best.
Call +91 8080 850 950 for a 1:1 personal consultation with our experts today.
Homeopathic medicines for hand, foot and mouth disease
The medicines below are commonly considered in homeopathy for hand, foot and mouth disease, with the symptom picture traditionally associated with each. They are listed for general information, not as a prescription.
(1) Borax: Painful, bleeding mouth ulcers and thrush-like spots in infants, with refusal to nurse, a hot mouth and a sensitivity to downward motion.
(2) Mercurius solubilis: Mouth ulcers with excessive drooling, foul breath, a coated tongue showing the marks of the teeth, sore gums and worse at night.
(3) Nitricum acidum: Ulcers in the mouth with sharp, splinter-like pains, bleeding easily, with an offensive smell and cracks at the corners of the mouth.
(4) Arsenicum album: Burning, restless child with weakness, thirst for sips of water, burning mouth ulcers and rash and diarrhoea.
(5) Belladonna: Early stage with sudden high fever, flushed face, a hot dry skin and a sore, red throat and mouth.
(6) Rhus toxicodendron: Blistering rash with restlessness and aching, and a child who wants to move about and is better for warmth.
(7) Baptisia tinctoria: Fever with a flushed, dusky face, offensive breath, a sore mouth and a feeling of weakness and heaviness, in more prostrated children.
(8) Sulphur: Rash and ulcers with a red, hot appearance of lips and orifices, a dry, scaly or itchy skin and a child who is hot and worse from washing.
(9) Antimonium crudum: Irritable child who dislikes being touched or looked at, with a thickly white-coated tongue, a sore mouth and poor appetite.
(10) Natrum muriaticum: Mouth ulcers with a mapped tongue, cracked lips and a thirst for cold water, in children who are quiet and withdrawn when sick.
Homeopathic treatment of hand, foot and mouth disease at Welling Homeopathy
These are only basic indications – many more homeopathic medicines are used for hand, foot and mouth disease, and the right one is chosen after detailed case-taking by an experienced doctor.
Homeopathy is offered as supportive care during hand, foot and mouth disease. Reliable scientific evidence that homeopathic medicines treat or shorten it is lacking. Because dehydration is the main risk, your child must drink enough fluids, and any warning sign needs medical attention.
To find out about our care for this condition, see homeopathic care for children, contact a Welling clinic or call +91 80 80 850 950 for a consultation in person or online.
Self-care and lifestyle tips
These measures support general health and may ease symptoms, but they do not replace treatment when it is needed.
- Give plenty of fluids, little and often: cold water, diluted fruit juice without acidic fruit, buttermilk, coconut water and ORS; ice pops and cold curd can soothe a sore mouth.
- Offer soft, bland, cool foods such as curd rice, porridge, mashed banana and ice-cream, and avoid salty, spicy, acidic and hot foods.
- Give paracetamol for fever and pain as advised for age; avoid aspirin in children.
- Do not burst blisters, and keep the skin clean and dry.
- Keep your child at home until the fever has gone and the blisters have dried, usually about a week.
- Wash hands with soap after nappy changes, toilet use and before food; clean toys, surfaces and bedding.
- Teach older children not to share cups, spoons and towels, and keep the child away from babies and pregnant women.
Frequently asked questions about hand, foot and mouth disease
1. How long does hand, foot and mouth disease last?
Most children recover in 7 to 10 days. The mouth ulcers are the most uncomfortable for the first three to four days.
2. Is HFMD contagious?
Yes, very. It spreads through saliva, blister fluid and stool, mostly in the first week, but the virus can remain in stool for weeks. Careful hand-washing is the best way to prevent spread.
3. Can adults get hand, foot and mouth disease?
Yes, though it is less common and often milder. Adults may have fever, mouth sores and a rash, and may pass it on to children.
4. What should my child eat with mouth ulcers?
Cold, soft, bland foods such as curd, ice-cream, mashed fruit and porridge, and plenty of cool drinks. Avoid acidic, salty, spicy and hot foods.
5. Can homeopathy treat HFMD?
Homeopathic medicines are traditionally used as supportive care, but reliable scientific evidence that they treat or shorten HFMD is lacking. Keep your child hydrated and see a doctor for any warning sign.
6. Is there a vaccine for hand, foot and mouth disease?
A vaccine against enterovirus 71 is available in some countries, but not widely in India. Hygiene remains the main prevention.
7. When can my child go back to school?
When the fever has gone and the child is well enough, usually about a week after onset; follow your school or nursery’s rules.
Related Reading
- Best Homeopathy Doctor for Kids in Mumbai
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Treatment of Mouth Ulcers
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Treatment of Viral Fever
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Recurrent Infections in Children
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Treatment of Skin Rashes
More guides you may find useful
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Treatment of Diarrhoea in Children
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection in Children
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Treatment of Growing Pains in Children
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Treatment of Baby Colic
To consult Welling Homeopathy experts, call +91 80 80 850 950.
Disclaimer: this page is for information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Results vary from person to person.
