High Incidence Period of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Spring
Introduction to Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease:
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is an infectious disease caused by enteroviruses. There are more than 20 types of enteroviruses that can cause hand, foot and mouth disease, with Coxsackie virus A16 (Cox A16) and Enterovirus 71 (EV 71) being the most common. It mainly affects children under 5 years old, characterized by symptoms such as mouth pain, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, and the appearance of small blisters or ulcers on the hands, feet, and in the oral cavity. Most children recover within a week, but some may develop complications such as myocarditis, pulmonary edema, and aseptic meningitis. In severe cases, it can lead to death. Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment for hand, foot and mouth disease, mainly focusing on symptomatic treatment.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common infectious disease in children, especially those under 5 years old, and spring is the peak season for this disease. So, how can parents help their children prevent and treat hand, foot and mouth disease? Let's take a look at some traditional Chinese medicine remedies for preventing and treating hand, foot and mouth disease.
Prevention and Treatment of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease:
Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease:
In traditional Chinese medicine, hand, foot and mouth disease is classified as a "warm disease". According to Chinese medicine, the disease is caused by a damp-heat epidemic infection. The damp-heat epidemic enters the body through the mouth and nose, affects the hands and feet, and manifests on the skin with symptoms such as blisters, nausea, and fever. The treatment of hand, foot and mouth disease should focus on clearing heat, detoxification, and eliminating dampness.
During the acute phase of hand, foot and mouth disease, a prescription consisting of 9 grams of Forsythia suspensa, 12 grams each of wild chrysanthemum flower and Radix Paeoniae Rubra, and 10 grams each of honeysuckle, dandelion, and scutellaria should be taken once daily as a decoction.
During the recovery phase of hand, foot and mouth disease, a prescription consisting of 6 grams of cicada slough, 9 grams each of Uncaria rhynchophylla and fresh bamboo leaf, 15 grams each of barley sprout and coix seed, and 5 grams of licorice should be taken as a decoction twice daily.
Prevention and Treatment of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease with Diet:
1. Prepare 20 green beans, 20 black beans, 50 soybeans, and 20 grams of rock sugar. Cook the three types of beans into a soup, and cook the heart of a Chinese cabbage with rock sugar into a sweet soup. Drinking both of these soups can help prevent hand, foot and mouth disease.
2. Prepare 2 fresh lotus leaves and 50 grams of rice. Wash the lotus leaves and cut them into small pieces, then cook them together with the rice to make porridge for the child to eat. This can effectively prevent hand, foot and mouth disease.
3. Prepare 20 bamboo leaves, 10 wicks, 15 grams of lentils, and 6 grams of talc. Add a little rock sugar or white sugar and boil them into a soup to feed the child. This can also prevent and treat hand, foot and mouth disease.
Prevention is important for hand, foot and mouth disease:
1. Wash hands with soap or hand sanitizer after using the toilet, before meals, and after coming back home;
2. Avoid children drinking untreated water and consuming raw and cold food;
3. Children should use separate utensils both at home and when going out;
4. Avoid taking children to crowded places during the high incidence period of hand, foot and mouth disease;
5. Pay attention to hygiene in the child's room, ventilate it regularly, and frequently dry clothes and bedding;
6. If there are already children infected with hand, foot and mouth disease in the child's class, advise the child to avoid close contact with the infected child.
