Some diseases that affect the skin, hair, or nails are more common in children, and some of these diseases only occur in children.
Most doctors can diagnose HFMD by:
Looking at the rash and mouth sores
Considering the patient’s age
Asking about symptoms
Sometimes, your doctor will swab your mouth or get a stool sample. In a laboratory, these can be checked for viruses that cause HFMD.
This disease goes away on its own without treatment. In most cases, HFMD is gone in 7 to 10 days.
If you or your child has pain or other symptoms, a dermatologist can provide treatment to relieve symptoms.
At home, the following can help ease symptoms of HFMD:
Avoid eating any food that is spicy or acidic. These foods can make the mouth sores more painful.
Drink cold liquids. Drinking a warm or hot beverage can be painful when someone has mouth sores. Because it’s important to stay hydrated, dermatologists recommend drinking cold liquids.
Reduce the fever. Avoid giving a child or teenager aspirin because aspirin can cause Reyes syndrome, which may lead to brain and liver damage. Reyes syndrome usually develops after a child (or teen) takes aspirin while fighting off a virus. HFMD is caused by viruses.
Alleviate pain from mouth sores. Cold beverages, such as water, can help. Adults can also use a numbing mouthwash or spray to reduce the pain.
For most people, the disease goes away in 7 to 10 days without leaving a trace.
In the United States, it’s rare for a virus that causes HFMD to lead to a more serious disease. A few people have developed viral meningitis, which causes inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of viral meningitis include an excruciatingly painful headache and neck stiffness.
There have also been a few reports of people getting encephalitis (swelling in the brain). This can cause an excruciatingly painful headache and confusion.
Other problems have been reported. In a few cases, people lose one or more fingernails or toenails. Their nails usually regrow normally.
While HFMD tends to go away on its own in 7 to 10 days, it may be possible to prevent it. Find out what you can do at: Hand-foot-and-mouth disease: Tips for preventing
Although warm, spring weather means more time outdoors, it also means more bugs – like bees, ticks, and mosquitoes. To help prevent and treat bug bites, follow these tips from dermatologists.
Although most bug bites are harmless, some can spread dangerous diseases like Zika virus, dengue, Lyme disease, and malaria. Particularly if you’re visiting areas with known insect-borne diseases, it’s important to take steps to reduce your risk.
To help prevent bug bites, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
Use insect repellent. To protect against mosquitoes, ticks and other bugs, use insect repellent that contains 20 to 30 percent DEET on exposed skin and clothing. Always follow the instructions on the repellent and reapply as directed. If you are also wearing sunscreen, apply your sunscreen first, let it dry, and then apply the insect repellent. Do not use sunscreen that contains insect repellent, as sunscreen must be applied liberally and often while insect repellent should be applied sparingly.
Wear appropriate clothing. If you know you’re going to be out at night or hiking in a densely-wooded area, dress appropriately to prevent bug bites. Cover exposed skin as much as possible by wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, socks and closed shoes instead of sandals. For additional protection, pull your socks up over your pants and tuck your shirt into your pants. You can also pre-treat outer layers of clothing with insect repellent containing the active ingredient Permethrin. Follow the directions carefully and allow the clothes to dry for at least two hours before wearing them.
Use bed nets. If sleeping in the great outdoors, use bed nets to protect against mosquitoes. Look for one that has been pre-treated with pyrethroid insecticide. If it doesn’t reach the floor, tuck it under the mattress for maximum protection.
Pay attention to outbreaks. Check the CDC Travel Health Notices website and heed travel warnings and recommendations.
Sometimes, despite one’s greatest efforts, bug bites still happen. Fortunately, most bug bites and stings can be safely treated at home.
To treat bug bites and stings at home, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
For painful bites, such as a bee sting, take an over-the-counter painkiller, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Always follow the directions on the label and use the correct dose.
For bites that itch, apply an ice pack or an over-the-counter anti-itch cream, such as hydrocortisone. Another option is to take an over-the-counter oral antihistamine.
To reduce swelling, apply an ice pack to the bite.
If you experience any serious symptoms after a bug bite, such as a rash, fever, or body aches, see your doctor or a board-certified dermatologist immediately. Make sure you tell the doctor about your recent bite so that they can examine you for a transmitted disease.