Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease

This is rambling because I'm very sleep deprived, so forgive me. The girls got Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease at daycare. Has anyone else been through this? Both girls have it, but Karina seems much more miserable than Annelise. She hasn't slept in two nights. We treated with Tylenol the first day/night, but yesterday we switched to Motrin. I'm not sure if it made any difference or not. The thing that is bothering me is that neither girl is eating well, Karina especially. Yesterday by bedtime she had only 10 oz. for the whole day. I think she must have some sores in her mouth and throat because she won't even take a pacifier and she NEEDS a pacifier to sleep. I did get 4 more ounces in her at 11:00 last night when she woke up, so she was at a total of 14 oz. for the whole day. The doc says she should be getting 27 ounces a day. Annelise was around 20 oz. yesterday. Annelise is sleeping o.k. Karina is only sleeping for 20 minute stretches all night long. I don't know what to do to make her feel better. I've tried ice cubes in the mesh feeder and she doesn't seem very interested in that either. Any other thoughts or suggestions? I hope we are done with this soon and that they don't get reinfected at daycare. There were 5 cases on Wednesday and I haven't heard how many others since then.

 

So sorry to hear they are so sick. No experience with it, just want to send all you hugs.

Dianna

 

My nephew caught it at daycare too awhile back and I remember my SIL saying how terrrible he felt!
I have no experience with it myself but, I wish you all the best of luck and I hope they have a speedy recovery!

:hug:

 

:hug: What did your pedi suggest? Can you make ice pops out of pedialyte and then put those in the mesh feeders? :hug:

 

My DD just got over it - our pedi suggested this formula and it helped a lot:

3/4 tsp Children's Benedryl mixed with 3/4 tsp of Mylanta

Sounds strange, but I also saw the same recommendation on some sites when I was researching it. It helped her feel better while the virus lasted, we gave it to her about 2 or 3 times a day, including right before bed time.

HTH

 

My DS had it when he was 2 or 3 but he was never affected other than a few bumps on his hands and feet that looked like little pimples, other than that I would have never known. He never acted different, but I bet it surely is miserable with little ones.. Hugs, M

 

No experience, but just wanted to say I hope they get better soon. And I hope they (and you) get to sleep better soon! It is always so hard when kids first start at daycare, it seems like they pick up everything. I know when my older DS started at 18 months it seemed like he was sick all of the time!

 

OMG, I'm a PRO at HFMD. We've had it 3 times (there are various strains) & even I caught it last time. It truly is miserable.

My guys react differently each time. Sometimes one is bad, sometimes the other...sometimes both! Sometimes there are sores in their mouth, sometimes not. The sores on the hands/feet are 'sore', but not horrifically painful. It's the sores in the mouth/throat that are bad. I didn't really eat/drink for 3 days so I can't imagine what they think! I'd stick with scheduled Motrin until you get through the worst of it, which is usually done by day 4-5. If they get a fever, they fell even more crummy but I haven't seen a fever with all our cases. Our Ped said the number 1 symptom of it is clinginess...the kiddos feel so horrible that they just want to be snuggled!

Someone mentioned Mylanta & Benadryl. It's 2 of the 3 parts of something called "Magic Mouthwash" (which includes Viscous Lidocaine). While I'll definitely attest to it working wonders, I don't know how it'd work on an infant. Our Ped said they NEVER recommend it under 3 because swallowing it can be a problem (especially if you dose too much Benadryl). You could maybe whip up a little & try to swab their mouth with it somehow, but I don't know how you'd do that...maybe a wash rag? Definitely serve their formula cold (if they'll take it) & try it in a syringe or a cup. The pain in the mouth can make sucking unbearable & I know I syringe fed Conner for 2 days when he was around 5 mos old with it. Pedialyte can be a little salty & sting, so just be aware of that.

It's a horrible illness, which always makes me chuckle when I read it as "a common, mild childhood illness". MILD? Ugh. Then again, my guys have gotten it midly & done fine, but our last round was HORRIBLE (and even worse when I got it...woe is me!). At least know that the worst part usually only lasts 1-3 days, so hopefully you're getting over the hump.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. I'm actually quite ashamed at how knowledgable I am in it, but such is life. I even made a hand out for parents at our daycare !

Hope your little ladies feel better soon.....

 

so sorry sending BIG hugs :hug: --no experience

April

 

We have not had it severely but I know others that have and its dreadful. They all use the "Magic Mouthwash" as Andrea pointed out. We use the "MM" for cold sores and it works wonders for those. I use it on DD and she doesnt spit it out. I just use a q-tip to dab it on. I would check with the Ped to see if they can get that to give them some relief.

 

:hug:

My girls had it about a month ago. They were miserable, fevers of 104. I gave them pedialyte and milk, anything to get some fluids into them. I alternated between tylenol and motrin. And I gave them room temp baths to try and keep them comfortable.
I found they did better with solids, especially cold fruit and yogurt, than anything else.

Hope it passes quickly!