Last fall our granddaughter had a case of Hand, Foot, and Mouth (HFM) disease with the normal progression. She was clingy, irritable, had a low grade fever, little appetite, and her rash appeared late on the second day.
HFM is exactly what it sounds like: an illness that primarily affects the hands; feet; and mouth, gums and throat.
It most often affects infants and children up to age 5, but anyone can catch it. HFM may involve just the areas already mentioned or it can also appear on the buttocks, genitals, knees, elbows, or all over the body. The severity of the lesions may also range from painless, slightly reddish flat spots to painful, pus-filled blisters.
Children are highly contagious 3 days before any signs of infection occur and continue to be contagious 2-3 days after blisters appear.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is most common in children in child-care settings because of frequent diaper changes and potty training, and because little children often put their hands in their mouths. Most infections occur in the summer or early fall, with the peak between August and October in the northern hemisphere.
The culprit is an unusual strain of the common coxsackie virus that usually causes the disease. There is a much nastier strain, coxsackie A6, since 2012.
First, Some Don’ts – Then Some Dos
1. Knocking Down A Fever Is Like Shooting Your Attack Dog In a Burglary. The American Academy of Pediatrics says it’s best, in most cases, to let the fever run its course without medication – with a watchful eye, of course.
Very important: Science shows without a doubt that Febrile Infectious Diseases as a Child Protects Us from Cancers Later In Life. I believe this is by our Creator’s design.
2. Acetaminophen [Tylenol], aspirin, and Ibuprofen suppress the immune system. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to study the effects of OTC analgesic/antipyretic medications on virus shedding and immune response.
3. Inappropriate use of antibiotics has helped create strains of bacterial diseases that are resistant to antibiotic medications.
When it comes to childhood illnesses, it is often better to stay home and away from the pediatrician’s office since you know what you end up getting there! Here are some of the books I read as a young mom to encourage you and validate your ‘mama intuition’ – a kind of 6th sense God gives mom’s if we ask for it and pay attention to it. (James 1:5)
Homeopathy is Perfect for Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
Thankfully, homeopathy is able to give the immune system a NEEDED BOOST that will uproot the virus.
Once we moms and grandmas have this knowledge, we can be confident that we can aid healing and restore comfort without resorting to OTC meds with harmful side-effects like Benadryl. Plus, we can pass this information on to our friends, since it was probably their children who passed it along to ours in the first place!
No-side-effect homeopathy takes away a lot of the worry.
Homeopathic Remedies for HFM, Strep Throat or Cold Sores:
For the painful sores or ulcers in the mouth, Joette Calbrese, HMC, CCH recommends a dose (as labeled on the tube) of Mercurius solubilis 200 CK twice daily or Mercurius solubilis 6 C, 3-4 times daily. It’s known as a great medicine for ulcers inside the mouth and throat like cold sores or strep throat. It’s the ulcers in the mouth and throat that make this illness most uncomfortable.
For the rash that covers a lot of area, use Antimonium crudum 6 C every few hours for itching, or just 2-3 a day if not so bad.
These 2 remedies would still apply to the nastier strain, coxsackie A6, to lessen pain and the intense itching.
You can read more in depth about each of these remedies and how they are used in Joette’s Materia Medica.
Make sure your child frequently sips water or warm Throat Coat tea (very soothing to a sore throat) during the course of the illness.
So be sure to have these two great homeopathic remedies on hand along with lots of love. You will be able to lessen the suffering and forego a visit to the doctor’s office.
Medical Disclaimer: I am no longer a practicing medical professional, and I am not doctor. I am a mother. I do seek scientific confirmation of the safety and effectiveness of the herbs and remedies I use. Using remedies is a personal decision. Nothing I say on this blog is intended to treat or prevent disease. Consult your own doctor.
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