How To Get Rid Of Hand Foot And Mouth? What You Need to Do

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness that clears up on its own in most people within 7 to 10 days. There is no antiviral treatment that cures it and no medication that shortens the illness. What you can do is manage the symptoms — treat fever and pain with over-the-counter medicines, keep the person hydrated, and let the body fight off the virus. Most people recover fully without medical treatment.

The name can be confusing. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is not the same as foot-and-mouth disease, which affects cattle, sheep, and pigs and does not infect humans. HFMD is caused by enteroviruses, most often coxsackievirus A16 and enterovirus A71, and it mainly affects children under 5. Adults can get it too, though it tends to be milder or sometimes produce no symptoms at all.

What Causes Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

HFMD is caused by viruses in the enterovirus family. The most common culprits are coxsackievirus A16 and enterovirus A71, though other enteroviruses can also cause it. These viruses spread through close contact with an infected person.

The virus lives in the nose and throat secretions, saliva, fluid from blisters, and stool of an infected person. It spreads through coughing and sneezing, through contact with blister fluid, and through contact with contaminated surfaces or hands. It can also spread through stool — which is why diaper changes are a common route of transmission in households and childcare settings.

People are most contagious during the first week of illness. The virus can stay in the stool for weeks after symptoms clear, so good handwashing after toileting and diaper changes matters long after the person looks well again.

How Do You Know If It Is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

The illness usually starts with a fever, sore throat, and a general feeling of being unwell. A day or two later, sores appear. These are the classic signs:

• Painful sores in the mouth — often on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks
• A rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, sometimes with blisters
• Flat spots or blisters that may also appear on the knees, elbows, buttocks, or genital area
• Fever, reduced appetite, and irritability, especially in young children

Not everyone gets all of these signs. Some people have only mouth sores. Some have only a rash. Some have a fever and nothing else. In many cases, especially in adults, the infection produces mild symptoms or none at all.

Young children may refuse to eat or drink because mouth sores hurt. Watch for signs of dehydration — less urination, dry mouth, no tears when crying, or unusual sleepiness. Dehydration is the main complication to watch for, and it is the most common reason a child with HFMD needs medical attention.

How To Get Rid Of Hand Foot And Mouth: What Actually Helps

There is no treatment that eliminates the virus. The illness runs its course. What you can do is ease symptoms and support recovery while the immune system clears the infection.

Manage fever and pain. Over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers can help with fever and mouth pain. For children, use acetaminophen or ibuprofen in the dose recommended for the child’s weight and age. Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers — it is linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition. Check doses with a pharmacist or healthcare provider if you are unsure.

Keep drinking. Mouth sores make drinking painful, especially for children. Offer fluids often in small amounts. Cold drinks, popsicles, ice chips, and smooth foods like yogurt or applesauce can be easier to tolerate than hot or acidic foods. Avoid citrus, salty snacks, and spicy foods while mouth sores are present.

Try a saltwater rinse. For older children and adults, rinsing the mouth with warm salt water a few times a day may ease mouth sore discomfort. This is a comfort measure, not a treatment for the virus.

Keep the rash clean and dry. Blisters usually heal on their own. Wash gently with soap and water and avoid picking or popping blisters.

Most people do not need to see a doctor for HFMD. Contact a healthcare provider if a child is not drinking, shows signs of dehydration, has a high fever that does not come down, or seems very lethargic. In rare cases, enterovirus A71 can cause neurological complications such as meningitis or encephalitis, and severe symptoms like a stiff neck, confusion, or severe headache warrant urgent medical attention.

How Long Does Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Last?

Symptoms usually clear within 7 to 10 days. Fever tends to resolve first, often within a few days. Mouth sores and the rash may take longer to heal fully. Blisters typically dry up and peel without leaving scars.

The contagious period is a separate question from how long symptoms last. A person is most contagious during the first week of illness. The virus can remain in stool for weeks after recovery, so handwashing after diaper changes and toileting should continue well after symptoms are gone.

How Can You Prevent Spreading Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

Prevention comes down to hygiene and limiting contact during the contagious period. There is no vaccine available in the United States for HFMD, though vaccines against enterovirus A71 have been developed and used in some countries.

These steps reduce the spread:

• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after diaper changes and after using the toilet
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, including toys, doorknobs, and changing tables
• Avoid sharing cups, utensils, and towels
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Keep children home from school or childcare while they have a fever or feel unwell

Many childcare centers and schools have their own exclusion policies for HFMD. Most guidance allows a child to return once fever is gone and they feel well enough to participate, even if some blisters remain. Check with your child’s school or daycare for their specific policy.

Pregnant women should take extra care around HFMD. The infection is usually mild in adults, but pregnant women who develop symptoms or are exposed to HFMD should talk to their healthcare provider. Enterovirus infection during pregnancy is uncommon and usually not serious, but it is worth discussing with a clinician rather than assuming it is harmless.

What About Adults — Can They Get It Too?

Yes. Adults can get HFMD, though it is less common and often milder. Many adults who are exposed have some immunity from earlier childhood infection, but that protection is not complete, and immunity to one enterovirus does not protect against all of them.

When adults do get sick, symptoms tend to be similar but less severe — a low fever, a few mouth sores, or a mild rash. Adults are still contagious and can pass the virus to children, so the same hygiene measures apply.

One practical point: because adult cases are often mild or produce no symptoms, adults can spread the virus without knowing they are infected. That is one reason outbreaks spread so easily in households with young children.