Inpatient & Outpatient Medications
Numerous potential remedies for the pain associated with the oral lesions (which may cause the child to decrease oral intake) in hand-foot-and-mouth (HFM) disease have been reported. These remedies have not been studied in any comparative or validated methodology; however, anecdotally they have been successful. These include the following:
-
"Magic mouthwash" consists of equal parts liquid Benadryl and Mylanta; mix and have the patient swish in the mouth and spit out.
-
The above is mixed with a crushed Carafate tablet; have the patient swish and spit out.
Complications
See the list below:
-
A secondary skin infection is the main complication.
-
These children can become dehydrated, resulting from decreased oral intake because of the discomfort of the oral lesions.
-
Rare neurologic and/or cardiopulmonary complications may occur. [17] These are usually associated with HEV71.
Prognosis
See the list below:
-
Patients have an excellent prognosis with full recovery anticipated.
Patient Education
See the list below:
-
Instruct patients' families regarding coxsackievirus contagion.
-
Instruct patients' families on home monitoring of hydration status and on warning signs of potentially complicating secondary skin infections.
-
The patient and family must be warned to minimize contact with the patient's oral and respiratory secretions for up to 2 weeks.
-
Good compulsive handwashing is important to minimize the spread of disease.
-
The virus may be present in the patient's feces for up to 1 month.
-
The lower lip has an ulcer with an erythematous halo.
-
The tongue has an ulcer with an erythematous halo.
-
A typical cutaneous lesion has an elliptical vesicle surrounded by an erythematous halo. The long axis of the lesion is oriented along the skin lines.
