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Suggest Treatment For Symptoms Of Hand, Foot And Mouth Disease
Question: I am a 31-year-old woman. All 4 kids of friends that we haven't been around while they were infected have had hand, foot, and mouth. I don't have a fever, but I do have a few blisters on my hands. I have had a cold for the past few days, so my throat is sore. I don't have symptoms other than a few blisters on my hands. I'm asking online because we moved this summer, and I haven't reestablished with a new primary care yet. It's so close to Christmas, and I am planning to be around all 10 of my nieces and nephews in the next week (ages 2 months to 9 years). I just need to know if I should stay away or if I'm clear to be with kids.
Brief Answer:
Better to avoid contact
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
* are the blisters painful?
*when did they appear?
* any other symptoms (fatigue, mouth soreness)?
*do you have any other medical issues or take any medications?
You seem to have a mild form of the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFnM).
As it is most contagious in the first week and you have symptoms suggestive of HFnM, I recommend that you do not come in contact with children as it is highly contagious.
It is possible to be contagious for a few days after the illness is over as well.
Symptoms usually resolve in a week to 10 days. Fever need not necessarily accompany it.
I'm sorry. I am sure that I could've given you a favorable reply but in this case it is possible for you or people who were in contact with you during the past few days could spread the illness.
Just make sure you maintain hygiene, drink plenty of fluids.
Hope this helps & you are back to yourself soon.
Wish you good health. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Better to avoid contact
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
* are the blisters painful?
*when did they appear?
* any other symptoms (fatigue, mouth soreness)?
*do you have any other medical issues or take any medications?
You seem to have a mild form of the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFnM).
As it is most contagious in the first week and you have symptoms suggestive of HFnM, I recommend that you do not come in contact with children as it is highly contagious.
It is possible to be contagious for a few days after the illness is over as well.
Symptoms usually resolve in a week to 10 days. Fever need not necessarily accompany it.
I'm sorry. I am sure that I could've given you a favorable reply but in this case it is possible for you or people who were in contact with you during the past few days could spread the illness.
Just make sure you maintain hygiene, drink plenty of fluids.
Hope this helps & you are back to yourself soon.
Wish you good health. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you for your response. In answer to your questions:
The blisters aren't really painful, only mildly if pushed on very hard.
They appeared this morning.
As for other symptoms, fatigue is a constant. I work from home, homeschool, and have a 6 and 3 year old. We moved during the summer, and I still haven't gotten everything back under control. I traveled last weekend without taking off work, so around all the extra things I did with family, I was working very late at night.
I don't really have mouth soreness.
I'm relatively healthy. No major medical issues. I do have dermatitis (I can't remember the exact diagnosis. Sorry) on my hands that flares when I'm under significant stress. That is flared up right now also. I use Halog cream for that.
The blisters aren't really painful, only mildly if pushed on very hard.
They appeared this morning.
As for other symptoms, fatigue is a constant. I work from home, homeschool, and have a 6 and 3 year old. We moved during the summer, and I still haven't gotten everything back under control. I traveled last weekend without taking off work, so around all the extra things I did with family, I was working very late at night.
I don't really have mouth soreness.
I'm relatively healthy. No major medical issues. I do have dermatitis (I can't remember the exact diagnosis. Sorry) on my hands that flares when I'm under significant stress. That is flared up right now also. I use Halog cream for that.
Brief Answer:
Avoid halog cream for 10 days
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up and clarifications.
*are the current bumps the same as when you have had flare-up before?
*any symptoms in your children?
* are you using halog cream for that?
Your last couple of weeks does seem awfully hectic and stressful.
You could be having a flare up as you suspect but the only way to be sure is to have a stool test and to test for the virus that causes HFnM disease in the blister fluid and stool.
I recommend with-holding the halog cream as it can worsen a viral infection. If you still have these blisters after 10 days, you can try this cream on a small part of the affected area to check of it gets better.
If it does, then you can use it. If not, stop using it and see a dermatologist.
The sequence of symptoms (possible exposure to individuals who could have transmitted the virus to you before their illness developed, the cold, followed by the blisters) favor the HFnM disease diagnosis.
Please do consider my recommendations. I'd be happy to help if you have any further questions.
Wish you good health and a Happy holidays.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Avoid halog cream for 10 days
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up and clarifications.
*are the current bumps the same as when you have had flare-up before?
*any symptoms in your children?
* are you using halog cream for that?
Your last couple of weeks does seem awfully hectic and stressful.
You could be having a flare up as you suspect but the only way to be sure is to have a stool test and to test for the virus that causes HFnM disease in the blister fluid and stool.
I recommend with-holding the halog cream as it can worsen a viral infection. If you still have these blisters after 10 days, you can try this cream on a small part of the affected area to check of it gets better.
If it does, then you can use it. If not, stop using it and see a dermatologist.
The sequence of symptoms (possible exposure to individuals who could have transmitted the virus to you before their illness developed, the cold, followed by the blisters) favor the HFnM disease diagnosis.
Please do consider my recommendations. I'd be happy to help if you have any further questions.
Wish you good health and a Happy holidays.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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