Hand foot and mouth 8 month old

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a mild, contagious viral infection common in young children. Symptoms include sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is most commonly caused by a coxsackievirus.

There's no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Frequent hand-washing and avoiding close contact with people who have hand-foot-and-mouth disease may help lower your child's risk of infection.

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Symptoms

Hand foot and mouth 8 month old
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Hand-foot-and-mouth disease on the hand

Hand foot and mouth 8 month old

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease on the hand

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease often causes a rash of painful, blister-like lesions on the palms of the hands. Rashes appear differently depending on skin tone.

Hand foot and mouth 8 month old
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Hand-foot-and-mouth disease on the foot

Hand foot and mouth 8 month old

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease on the foot

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease often causes a rash of painful, blister-like lesions on the soles of the feet. Rashes appear differently depending on skin tone.

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease may cause all of the following symptoms or only some of them. They include:

  • Fever.
  • Sore throat.
  • Feeling sick.
  • Painful, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks.
  • A rash on the palms, soles and sometimes the buttocks. The rash is not itchy, but sometimes it has blisters. Depending on skin tone, the rash may appear red, white, gray, or only show as tiny bumps.
  • Fussiness in infants and toddlers.
  • Loss of appetite.

The usual period from initial infection to the time symptoms appear (incubation period) is 3 to 6 days. Children may get a fever and develop a sore throat. They sometimes lose their appetites and don't feel well.

One or two days after the fever begins, painful sores may develop in the front of the mouth or throat. A rash on the hands and feet and sometimes on the buttocks may also appear.

Sores that develop in the back of the mouth and throat may suggest a related viral illness called herpangina. Other features of herpangina include a sudden high fever and, in some instances, seizure. In rare cases, sores develop on the hands, feet or other parts of the body.

When to see a doctor

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is usually a minor illness. It typically only causes fever and mild symptoms for a few days. Call your health care provider if your child is younger than six months, has a weakened immune system, or has mouth sores or a sore throat that makes it painful to drink fluids. Call your provider, too, if your child's symptoms don't improve after 10 days.

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Hand-foot-mouth disease (HFM) sounds pretty gross (and kind of scary), but know that it’s actually a fairly common viral infection that’s not super serious. In fact, most kiddos get better within 10 days with little to no medical treatment. But it’s still not a pleasant ordeal for a child to go through! And because it’s contagious, it tends to spread quickly in daycares and schools, so being on top of the situation is a must. 

What is hand-foot-mouth disease? 

The quick and dirty is this: Hand-foot-mouth is caused by a group of viruses called enteroviruses. Coxsackievirus A16 is the most common virus that causes HFM in the United States. Kids under 5 years old are the most susceptible, but it can affect older children and adults as well. There are typically more outbreaks in the summer and fall.  

What are the symptoms of hand-foot-mouth disease?

It takes three to six days for a child with hand-foot-mouth disease to show symptoms after exposure.  

Symptoms of hand foot mouth disease in children:

  • First signs often mimic the common cold, with a fever, runny nose, or sore throat. 

  • Soon after, a blistery rash appears on the hands (and fingers), feet, and/or mouth (and sometimes in the diaper area), including the gums and tongue. 

  • All blisters are about the same size (not much bigger than a pencil eraser). Blisters can make the hands and feet sore, but the mouth sores are often pretty miserable (kids drool and refuse food/drink).

Symptoms last about a week. FYI: After a week or two, the skin on your child's hand and feet might peel. This is totally normal and nothing to be concerned about.

How does hand-foot-mouth disease spread? 

Hand-foot-mouth disease is easily spread through direct contact from other infected folks, whether a grownup or a child. That means an infected person can spread the virus via respiratory droplets when they cough, sneeze, or even just talk. It also means that you or your child could become infected by touching toys or other objects that are contaminated with the virus. For instance, if your kiddo plays with a truck where the virus sits, then puts his hands in his mouth or rubs his eyes, he’ll introduce the virus into his body. 

The virus can also be transmitted by fecal contact. (Yes, it’s icky, but it’s a common thing with kids, especially those who are toilet training or are still newbies to the potty.) If a sick child has unwashed hands and plays with toys, other children could get sick by playing with those toys and putting those objects or their hands in their mouths. Adults aren’t immune, either: Changing diapers without washing your hands is another way to contract the virus.  

Finally, the fluid from HFM blisters and scabs can cause transmission, too. Say, your child gives a big ol’ hug to her preschool buddy who’s infected. She may touch a sore and get sick. All of the above is why daycares, pediatrician offices, and schools can be sources of such rapid infection—and why it's so important to practice good handwashing and disinfecting methods. 

While kids are more contagious in the first week they're sick, their saliva can continue to infect (you know, drooling, talking, coughing) for a few weeks. And their stool can be contagious for up to a few months. Having said that, most doctors recommend letting these kids go back to school as soon as the fever is gone and they are back to their normal energy. 

How is hand-foot-mouth treated in children?

Usually, hand-foot-mouth disease goes away on its own in seven to 10 days. Good thing, because there isn't any medicine for it! The best you can do is help make your child more comfortable. 

Your health care provider may advise:

  • Over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen to lessen fever and pain

  • Soft, easy-to-eat foods like applesauce—cold food feels better in the mouth and older kids like homemade popsicles and frozen yogurt (to numb mouth sores and prevent dehydration)

  • Prescription mouthwash help relieve mouth sore discomfort 

  • Using straws—they help direct fluids away from mouth sores

  • Keeping the skin as clean as possible

When should you see a doctor about hand-foot-mouth disease?

First you want to make sure you’re dealing with hand-foot-mouth disease and not a more serious cause of blistering. For example: 

  • Impetigo is pretty common in young kids. It causes blisters that vary in size, from pinpoint to half an inch (1 cm) and can occur on the body’s soft skin (armpit, diaper area, face, body…but rarely on the palms or soles). The blisters often quickly break, leaving a red round raw area. 

  • Herpes is uncommon, but it causes blisters that mostly occur in the mouth or groin.

  • Steven Johnson Syndrome is quite rare—usually a reaction to a medication—with bigger blisters (1-2” or more), which can also affect the eyes.

Dehydration is the most common complication of HFM (thanks to painful mouth sores that make swallowing difficult). Signs of dehydration include:

  • Less pee (it’s dark yellow and/or has a strong odor)

  • Less drool (the tongue is slightly wet or even dry, but not slobbery)

  • Crying without tears

If you suspect dehydration, immediately speak with your doctor or go to the hospital to be checked.

Always call your doctor if you have ANY concerns about your child’s health. In addition here are a few other reasons to reach out for your provider’s advice:

  • Fever lasting more than three days

  • Stiff neck

  • Irritability or lethargy without any happy, playful period 

  • Symptoms that don't get better in 10 days or seem severe

  • Baby is under 6 months old

  • Child has weakness of the immune system

  • Any of the sores appear infected (for example, are painful, swollen, have pus, or spreading redness)

About Dr. Harvey Karp

Dr. Harvey Karp, one of America’s most trusted pediatricians, is the founder of Happiest Baby and the inventor of the groundbreaking SNOO Smart Sleeper. After years of treating patients in Los Angeles, Dr. Karp vaulted to global prominence with the release of the bestselling Happiest Baby on the Block and Happiest Toddler on the Block. His celebrated books and videos have since become standard pediatric practice, translated into more than 20 languages and have helped millions of parents. Dr. Karp’s landmark methods, including the 5 S’s for soothing babies, guide parents to understand and nurture their children and relieve stressful issues, like new-parent exhaustion, infant crying, and toddler tantrums.

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.

Can an 8 month old get hand

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is common in infants and children younger than 5 years old. Most children have mild symptoms for 7 to 10 days.

What should I do if my baby has hand

What is the treatment? There isn't any medicine to treat or cure hand, foot, and mouth disease. The only thing parents can do is ease the fever and pain with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Call your pediatrician if your child's fever lasts more than 3 days or if he or she is not drinking fluids.

Is Hand

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is common in children under 5 years old, but anyone can get it. The illness is usually not serious, but it is very contagious. It spreads quickly at schools and day care centers. Hand, foot, and mouth disease spreads easily.

How long is hand

People with hand, foot, and mouth disease are usually most contagious during the first week that they are sick. People can sometimes spread the virus to others for days or weeks after symptoms go away or if they have no symptoms at all.