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Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is a highly contagious viral illness, mainly affecting children under the age of 5. It spreads quickly through bodily fluids – sneezing, coughing, saliva, respiratory droplets, even fecal matter; close personal contact; and contaminated surfaces.

Initial symptoms include fever, flu-like symptoms, sore throat, decreased appetite, and drowsiness. Painful blisters may form inside the mouth 1-2 days later on the tongue, gums, and insides of cheeks, along with a rash on the soles of feet and palms of hands (it could also be on the knees, elbows, bottom, or genital area). The body rash is usually flat, but can form blisters with fluid containing the contagious virus.

Onychomadesis is another symptom that may develop 1-2 months later where partial or complete shedding of fingernails and toenails occurs. I’m so glad one of my friends warned me about this, because it freaked me out, even though it’s usually painless.

HFMD typically clears up in 7-10 days without any need for treatments or prescriptions, although recent studies have shown one of the products below actually reduces the duration & symptoms of it!

This is not medical advice, just a crunchy mama who uses holistic products and natural remedies sharing what I do and use to provide comforting relief for my children while supporting their immune system. Be sure to check these things with your provider.

• Apply coconut oil topically at night to soothe dry skin, reduce inflammation, and create a protective barrier.
• Provide colloidal silver topically and orally at the beginning of the sores-stage, as it has antiviral properties. They also make it in a spray version for easy topical application.
• Spray active skin repair topically when the sores start blistering. It contains hypochlorous acid, which is what your body naturally produces to heal the skin.
• These Skin Virus Drops are made with potent antiviral properties specifically for treating skin lesions.
• Aloe or a calendula cream are also antiviral and anti-inflammatory to help soothe and promote faster skin healing.
• Cool wash cloths may provide relief from sores as well.
• Apply this ancestral balm after sores have scabbed over to help prevent scarring (use code SYDNEYMEEK for 10% off).
• Propolis throat spray is a must! Recent studies https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12191193/ have shown that propolis provides relief from symptoms as well as reduces the duration of HFMD. Use my code SMEEK20 for 20% off!
• Chop raw garlic cloves and coat them with honey for an antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory superfood. Honey also helps coat the throat to soothe painful sores.
• Probiotics and echinacea goldenseal can help their body naturally eliminate the virus. I love the pre & probiotics from Llama Naturals, and my code SYDNEYMEEK will get you 20% off!
• Support your immune system with elderberry (I get ours from Purely Parsons, use my code SYDNEY for 10% off), vitamin c and zinc.
• Cod liver oil & sunlight. Apparently research has shown vitamin A & D deficiencies have been associated with more severe cases of HFMD.
• This Feel Better Fast tincture can help relieve the flu-like symptoms and general unwell feeling.
• A warm, soothing bath with breastmilk (if you have it), oatmeal (I get oatmeal bath bombs from Tubby Todd), magnesium salts, bentonite clay, apple cider vinegar, and tea tree oil to flush out toxins.
• Keep them hydrated or nurse as often as possible. I love the electrolytes from Just Ingredients (use my code SYDNEYMEEK for 10% off), or you can opt for coconut water. Popsicles, smoothies, or yogurt would also be cool and soothing for the mouth sores.
• Red light therapy can help reduce pain and inflammation, as well as accelerate the skin’s natural healing process. I love the LUMEBOX, and my code MEEKLYLOVING will get you $260 off your own device!
• There are also a few homeopathic remedies that have been found helpful, such as Borax 30c (this one is the most common remedy for red, painful sores), Rhus Toxicodendron 30c (which helps relieve itchy, painful, fluid-filled blisters), and Mercurius Solubilis 30x (helpful for sore throat & mouth sores, excess salivation/drooling, fever symptoms).
• And last but not least, a nontoxic cleaning spray that’s just as effective as bleach, but without any harmful chemicals! Force of Nature cleans and disinfects 99.9% of germs, including viruses, bacteria & mold. Use my code SYDNEY40 for 40% off!

I hope this is helpful for giving your child at least some kind of comfort when dealing with hand, foot, and mouth disease! It’s so common, but absolutely not so fun. The good news is that if they catch it once, they likely won’t again! Let me know if there’s anything else you’ve tried that works!

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