Hand, Foot, Mouth disease??

Lexi - posted on 05/22/2012

Thanks ladies!! Thursday morning when he came down with the fever, i took him to urgent care because i couldn't get him in to see his ped, they said his throat was red, but ran all the blood tests and everything just to make sure it wasnt something bad because his fever was 104. . . they told me to alternate tylenol and advil every 4 hours for his fever and to follow up with his ped the on friday. So when I called thursday afternoon to make the follow up appt, they told me if i got uncomfortable with teh way he was lookign or acting to call and take him to the ER. . .that night, i put him in bed like normal, gave him his tylenol about 8 pm, took his temp about 9 and it was still above 104, so we went to teh ER and by that point, the blisters had starting forming in his mouth and on his throat. We werent there very long, the doc told me i was doing everything right (which as a young mom, i was VERY pleased to hear, because no one ever tells me that) and that there was no need to follow up with the ped since he saw him that night. once again he told me that it would just have to run its course (so tired of hearing that) and we got up friday morning and i decided since it was teh weekend that i would follow up anyway. We live about 7 miles from the ped's office and just between our apartment and the office building, i noticed the rash form around his mouth. She said thats all shes seen for about 3 or 4 weeks. . .he seems to be feeling better but that rash is still so yuckie :(

Ginger - posted on 05/20/2012

it is also known as "Coaxie" disease. It gets the nick name because it often results in a rash on the hands and feet. It is usually occompanied by a nunny nose and sometimes fever. Generally you can treat the runny nose with allergy med over the counter (provided you have your doctor's approval to give your child such OTC meds) Sometimes the younger the child or the fact they they may have never had this viral infection will cause them to struggle more with it. In infants it can develop into chest infections as the drainage is hard for a baby to get out. (needing the suction bulb and a saline rinse usually helps the baby). If the drainage gos so far down it can result in worse complications. As far as the rash, it usually occurs after the other symptoms. Treating the rash with moisterizer should be sufficient.
If you baby is not eating or drinking they would need a doctor for sure. Depending on age, gatorade 2, pedialite, (they also make pedialite popcycles) and sips of water are great. Pediasure can help a toddle, while many doctors can reccoment soy formula until symptoms subside.
HOWEVER NONE OF THIS IS INTENDED NOR SHOULD BE A SUBSTITUE FOR A DOCTOR'S ADVICE!!!
If you baby isn't eating or drinking and seems to be very bothered by the symptoms call the nurse line or see a doctor. Dehydration is no joke and can be fatal if not addressed.

Best Wishes,
I hope your little one feels better.

Kaitlin - posted on 05/20/2012

Isn't it disgusting?

when my boys got it, they had sores in their mouth and throat as well, which was preventing them from any desire to eat. Stay far far away from juice and popsicles- they burn. Try dairy (or fake dairy if he's allergic) like milk shakes with banana and ice cream and scoop of toddler formula, or pedia sure 'milk' beverages (they come in choc straw and van). You can also get oragel or orabase (a creamy like substance that works similarly to oragel) and see if you can get it into his mouth/tongue/throat if he has any sores in his mouth. We also gave them ice pops (just ice, frozen, no juice) and let them have their special treats on the stoop of our house (so it seemed special) and that helped too.

Anything cold with no acidity.

For the rash, we had long baths (we used our computer in the bathroom and watched elmo) twice a day with epsom salts, no soap. Lots of snuggling and, even though we're not huge fans of extended tv watching, we were on the couch most of the week with sesame street and pooh- they were just exhausted! poor guys.

Good luck!