Hand, Foot and Mouth

[Liv316]

Has anyone had any experience of hand, foot and mouth? DS is 10mo and started with a temp on Sunday night, then the blisters started Monday and the blisters and spots are still coming. At night he is beside himself, inconsolable waking up every hour. We’re giving calpol, nurofen and have been to walk in centre who has given antibiotics just incase he has a few blisters infected but he is just so upset.

From research they shouldn’t be this upset? Last night he fell asleep from exhaustion of crying and nothing we did would calm him down. We’re on day 4 here and not looking at getting better.

Is it definitely HFM and not chicken pox?
Just asking because nurofen shouldn't be used with chicken pox as it can lead to adverse skin reactions.
If he's not improving I'd seek more medical advice

Don't remember DD being upset. I thought she had eczema or something. She just had spots on her groin. Think she did some antibiotics

@dementedpixie I don’t think so as he isn’t itching them and it is on the typical hand feet and mouth. None on his chest belly or back at all.

@grey12 this is what worries me. In the day when he is distracted he is OK, a little upset but not as hysterical as at night.

Have you contacted the GP?

@grey12 yes and took him to the walk in centre last night. Just said it’s viral and got to wait until it passes. Just hard when he is so upset.

Ds had it just before lockdown last year, he really didn't do well, lots of night wakings like you say.

We found a mousse to be really useful, poxclin, it wasn't cheap, but it really helped DS feel better. Its designed for chicken pox, but I figured its a viral rashy thing and it did seem to help!

lloydspharmacy.com/products/poxclin-coolmousse-for-children-with-chickenpox-100ml?currency=GBP&variant=32657495097407&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIytaTge288gIViJntCh3f8Ql0EAUYAiABEgKtl_D_BwE

Sorry - I can't post a new thread, just testing the reply function.

@TheLovleyChebbyMcGee thank you, same amount of being upset as well? The night before he settled with us playing with him 11-2 but last night no amount of calming him was working. Thank you I’ll have a go with that mousse!

My son had it with no reaction whatsoever but my daughter was really poorly with it. She was older than your son - she was three - but definitely ill.

With one of my DC this was worse than when he had chicken pox. And my nephew had it even worse.

On the other hand my cousin’s son, who has a range of serious health issues, had it without my cousin even noticing (I saw the small number of healed blisters, he had it same time as my DC).

So it seems to be completely random how bad it affects someone, but it can be awful. Think how miserable a single mouth ulcer can make you.

I hope he’s better soon. Lots of ice cream.

@Liv316 yes DS was distressed, kept itching and rubbing his hands despite them looking really painful. I'd have paid triple the price for that mousse for how much good it did to help DS sleep and feel better.

Hope it helps you as well!

I had it as an adult and the blisters in my mouth hurt so much I begged my husband to knock me out so I could get away from the pain (for context, have delivered a 10lbs9oz back to back baby so am not utterly unfamiliar with discomfort). He is probably really sore. It did ease given time - maybe ice cubes to suck?

It’s really nasty! My son got it when he was about 13 months, we spent a night in hospital, then for about four days he just moped about and ate nothing but soggy Frosties. Hopefully you are coming to the end of the worst bit now 🤞

If he's suffering with the sores in his mouth, get some Difflam spray, it's amazing stuff! My DD got the initial outbreak of Herpes Simplex virus and her mouth was ravaged with ulcers, she couldn't eat and could barely drink. Difflam spray worked WONDERS. X

I had it a few years ago and it was the most awful thing I've ever experienced! I found slathering my hands with yoghurt (and eating yoghurt) was the only thing that could give me relief... It didn't actually last very long (it felt like forever at the time!), maybe jsut a few days of being hideous.
Be prepared for the blistered skin to peel afterwards...

Thanks everyone for the replies. Seems to have slept a bit longer today and the first stretch of sleep compared to every 30 mins/1 hour which is good. I’m hoping we’re getting past the worst of it now as it’s so sad to see him upset. He’s usually the happiest of babies.

@MyGrassIsBrowner Diflam spray is great, isn't it?! Why did I only hear about it with DC3?!

I had it and to be honest it was dreadful.

@grey12 my DD was close to being put on a drip as I couldnt get any fluids down her, not even water as she was in so much pain. She was beginnning to deteriorate real quick. Horrific to witness! Someone actually recommended me it on here so I sent DP out for it and omg, total game changer. As soon as I sprayed it in her mouth I tried her with some milk and she wolfed it. I cried 😭 not once did any medical professional mention trying her with it, i was at my wits end. X

@MyGrassIsBrowner @grey12 it really is awful, I had no idea. He has so many blisters it’s ridiculous

@Liv316 it's really awful. And you feel so helpless especially when they're so young. I hope he starts feeling better soon! ❤

The doctor prescribed Diflam when my then 8 mo had a horrible horrible cough. She looked to be in so much pain when she coughed I use something like it for adults and it was a relief to find they did the same for kids

@grey12 some of the medicines they make for kids never seem as strong either, I actually tried the difflam myself before I sprayed it in her mouth and jesus it was quite potent. Numbed my mouth for a good hour 😆