Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a contagious viral disease that affects children under the age of 10. It is caused by the Coxsackie virus. The virus spreads through unintended contact with hands or surfaces contaminated with the faeces, stools, respiratory fluids, or faeces of an infected person. Symptoms of this disease include fever, sore throat, fatigue, painful sores or sores inside the mouth and tongue, and blisters on the hands, feet, buttocks, elbows, and behind the knees. The disease is self-healing and goes away on its own within a week to ten days. It cannot be prevented with a vaccine or treated with medication. However, there are some home remedies that can help your child deal with the symptoms of the disease. Once your child is cured, he will be less likely to get sick, as his body will develop immunity to the virus. Children should be taught good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of this infection. They should be encouraged to wash their hands with soap after using the bathroom. They should wash their hands well before meals.

Natural home remedies to treat hand, foot and mouth disease in a child

Some of the home remedies for treating hand, foot and mouth ailments are given below:

1. Coconut water

Coconut water cools the body and is gentle on the stomach. It contains a wide range of vitamins, minerals, electrolytes and antioxidants. It also contains lauric acid, which fights viruses. Giving coconut water to a child with HFMD can help relieve mouth pain and keep him hydrated. You can also freeze coconut water and have your child chew ice cubes to relieve the pain of mouth ulcers.

2. Oil pulling

It is an ancient Ayurvedic way of maintaining good oral hygiene. It also helps soothe mouth ulcers caused by HFMD. Take a teaspoon of any oil like peanut, sesame or coconut, and ask your child to swish it in his mouth for 5 to 10 minutes and then spit it out. Make sure he does not swallow the oil after eating it.

3. Cod liver oil

Cod liver oil contains vitamins A, D, and E. It boosts the body’s immunity and has antimicrobial properties. It is a good treatment for HFMD. It can be given to the child in the form of capsules or by adding oil to juice or yoghurt.

4. Echinacea

Echinacea is an herb that belongs to the chrysanthemum family. It has antimicrobial properties. This herb strengthens the immune system and reduces the symptoms of fever, chills, and other infections such as triple fever. Echinacea can also be taken in capsule form or to make a tea by boiling its leaves in water and adding honey to it.

5. Lavender oil

Lavender oil is a very good antiseptic and fights viruses. It also has sedative and relaxing properties and can help your baby sleep better. You can add a few drops of lavender oil to your baby’s bath water or diffused it in your room using an essential oil diffuser.

6. Lemon essential oil

Lemon essential oil is another antiseptic. You can add a few drops of this oil to your child’s body lotion to help him fight the virus and nourish his skin. You can also mix a few drops in a carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil and apply it to the rash.

7. Licorice root

Licorice root has antiviral properties and is used as a home remedy to treat various viral infections. It contains a chemical called a triterpenoid that boosts immunity. It also forms a thin layer of mucus over the mucous membrane of the throat and esophagus, which helps soothe pimples. Boil some licorice roots in water, then strain it to make tea and add honey to it, then give it to your baby. However, use it with caution as an overdose of alcohol can be harmful to it.

8. Rinse with salt water and take a shower

Ask your child to rinse his mouth with warm water and salt three to four times a day, as it will relieve him of painful blisters and mouth ulcers. You can use common table salt for this or pink Himalayan salt. Pink salt is most effective because it balances the pH level inside the mouth. Additionally, adding Epsom salt to bath water can soothe rashes on the body and help the child recover from HFMD symptoms more quickly. You can also add a few drops of lavender or lemon essential oil to your Epsom salt bath water, and your child will find great relief.

9. Garlic

Garlic has strong antimicrobial properties due to its high levels of sulfur compounds. You can add garlic to food, give it to your child in the form of capsules, or make an herbal tea by boiling 3 cloves in water and drinking it when it cools.

10. Elderberry

Elderberries are known for their antioxidant properties that boost immunity and improve disease resistance. It helps the body produce mucus to fight the virus. This causes a slight rise in body temperature, which makes it difficult for the virus to replicate and multiply. Make elderberry and honey syrup and give it to your little angel so that he can recover from rheumatic fever faster.

11. Ginger

Ginger contains many antiviral chemicals. It also has sedative and pain-relieving effects. Make ginger root tea by boiling ground ginger in water until the water is concentrated with the ginger juice. Leave it to cool and give it to your child with honey.

12. Astragalus

Astralagus is a plant in the legume family that has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. They are known for their immune system boosting properties. It prevents the virus from multiplying in the body. You can buy stellate ointment for topical application. You can also buy astragalus tea bags or make your own by boiling one teaspoon of ground astragalus root in water. Strain it and give this drink to your child after adding honey to soothe the symptoms of HFMD.

13. Coconut oil

Coconut oil has antiviral properties. You can apply coconut oil on your baby as rashes or pimples may appear and they will disappear soon. Some people even suggest using a teaspoon of coconut oil for swelling around the mouth and then spit it out to soothe blisters in the mouth. You can try this treatment by asking your child if he feels comfortable doing it.

14. Lilac or Indian Neem

Neem or Indian lilac has many antimicrobial properties and has been used to treat viral diseases for hundreds of years. You can apply neem oil for rashes on your child’s body. You can also make a powder from dried neem leaves and make a paste with water. Apply this paste on rashes and pimples for quick healing. You can also use neem oil with a few drops of coconut oil and lavender oil for topical application.

15. Amla

Indian gooseberry (Scientific name Emblica Officinalis) is rich in vitamin C, an important vitamin essential for immunity. It helps purify the blood and aids digestion. Indian gooseberry or gooseberry can be consumed in the form of juice. You can also give it to your child by making powder from dried gooseberry and mixing it with water.

16. Pomegranate

Pomegranate contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that help soothe the symptoms of HFMD. Let your child drink pomegranate juice or eat the fleshy seeds for a quick recovery.

17. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains vitamins B and C. It also contains a chemical called insulin that increases white blood cell (WBC) count. White blood cells help our bodies fight viruses. Mix two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in warm water and have your child gargle with it to soothe his throat.

18. Azores

Calendula is an herb that belongs to the marigold family. These plants have antibacterial and antiviral properties. They reduce inflammation, speed healing, and help maintain oral health. You can make tea from calendula petals and add honey to it and give it to your baby. You can also use calendula cream to apply to the rash to soothe it.

19. Holy Basil or Tulsi

Tulsi is an herb that has many medicinal properties. It fights harmful microbes, reduces inflammation and relieves pain. Let your child chew basil leaves, or make a juice from the leaves, dilute it with water, and ask her to drink it several times a day for quick relief from HFMD.

20. Aloe vera

Aloe vera has antimicrobial properties. It also increases immunity. Aloe vera contains minerals, vitamins, and many other compounds that are beneficial for the skin. Apply aloe vera gel to rashes and blisters to soothe them. You can also give aloe vera juice to your child to help him recover from HFMD faster.

Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease can make children feel restless and irritable. Rashes and blisters can be very painful for little ones. So, try these home remedies to soothe the symptoms and make your child as comfortable as possible.