A Parent’s Guide to Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Treatment

By Dr. Sam Ahn, MD (Family Medicine Specialist) | July 14, 2025

Seeing spots on your child’s hands and feet, along with a fever and fussiness, can be alarming. When you hear it might be hand, foot, and mouth disease, you immediately want to know what to do. Finding the right hand, foot, and mouth disease treatment is about managing symptoms and keeping your little one comfortable while the virus runs its course.

Quick Answer: Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common viral illness in children. Treatment focuses on relief of symptoms like fever and mouth sores, ensuring your child stays hydrated, and waiting for the virus to clear up on its own, usually within 7 to 10 days.

Understanding Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a very common childhood illness. After a child is exposed, it usually takes 3 to 6 days (the incubation period) for the first symptoms to appear. It's known for being very contagious, especially during the first week of sickness.

It typically starts with a fever, a sore throat, and just not feeling well. A day or two later, you might notice the tell-tale signs: small, painful sores in the mouth and a non-itchy skin rash, sometimes with blisters, on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. This rash can also pop up on the knees, elbows, or buttocks. It’s a relief to know this is very different from the foot-and-mouth disease that affects animals; they are caused by completely different viruses.

Preventing the Spread

Because HFMD is so contagious, a few simple steps can help protect others in the family:

• Wash hands often: Use soap and water, especially after changing diapers or touching blisters. The virus can live in a child’s stool for several weeks.

• Clean and disinfect: Wipe down frequently touched surfaces and toys.

• Avoid close contact: Try to avoid hugging, kissing, or sharing cups and utensils with the sick child.

What to Do: A Simple Action Plan

1. Soothe the Pain: For fever and discomfort, you can give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) if they are over 6 months old. Always check the correct dosage for your child's current weight.

2. Focus on Fluids: The mouth sores can make swallowing painful. Offer cold drinks, ice pops, yogurt, or smoothies to keep them hydrated and soothe their throat. Avoid salty, spicy, or acidic foods for a few days.

3. Know When to Go Back to School: Your child can usually return to daycare or school when their fever has been gone for 24 hours (without using fever-reducing medicine) and their mouth sores have healed. They should no longer be drooling excessively or have open, weeping blisters.

When to Call the Doctor

Trust your instincts. While most cases are mild, you should call your pediatrician if your child:

• Shows signs of dehydration (like a dry mouth, crying without tears, or fewer than 4 wet diapers in 24 hours).

• Has a fever that lasts more than three days.

• Seems very sleepy, confused, or is difficult to wake up.

• Complains of a severe headache or a stiff neck. (These can be signs of very rare but serious complications).

• Is not getting better after 10 days.

Still have questions?

Every child is different, and it's normal to feel unsure. To get instant, personalized guidance on your child's symptoms, you can use the AI Coach in the FeverCoach app. It’s like having a pediatrician in your pocket, helping you know what to do next.