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Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Babies

Hand, foot and mouth disease is the classic daycare illness. Small blisters on hands, feet, and in the mouth make eating painful — but the disease is usually harmless and over within 7-10 days. It is, however, highly contagious.

الأسباب المحتملة

1Coxsackie virus A16 (most common pathogen)
2Enterovirus 71 (rarer, can cause more severe illness)
3Transmission via droplet infection (coughing, sneezing)
4Contact transmission via blister fluid, stool, and saliva
5Incubation period 3-6 days, contagious even before symptoms appear

ما يمكنكِ فعله

Pain relief: paracetamol or ibuprofen (age-appropriate dosage)
Cool, soft food: yoghurt, purée, mild soups — NO acidic or spicy foods
Plenty to drink: cold drinks, ice cubes to suck (for toddlers)
Oral gel with numbing effect before meals
Regular hand washing, disinfect toys

متى تزورين الطبيب؟

Baby hasn't drunk for over 8 hours (dehydration risk)
High fever above 39°C for more than 3 days
Signs of dehydration: little urine, no tears, dry lips
Neck stiffness, severe headaches, or confusion (extremely rare: meningitis)
Extensive spread of blisters over the entire body

ملاحظات حسب العمر

Most common in children under 5. Babies under 6 months are rarely affected (maternal antibodies). Daycare age (1-3 years): Most common age group. Adults can catch it but often have milder symptoms. TIP: There's often no reporting requirement in daycare, but inform the facility so other parents are warned.

الأسئلة الشائعة

How long is my child contagious?

Most contagious during the first week of illness. Blister fluid is highly infectious. However, the virus is shed in stool for WEEKS afterwards. Thorough hand washing after nappy changes is extremely important.

Can my child go to daycare?

In most countries there's no official exclusion period. Most daycares expect the child to be fever-free and blisters to be crusted over. This usually takes 7-10 days.

Can fingernails fall off after the illness?

YES — this is a known but harmless late effect. 4-8 weeks after the illness, finger and toenails may come loose (onychomadesis). It looks alarming but the nails grow back completely. No reason to worry.