Gahhhh!!! They think I have Hand Foot Mouth Disease!!!! And apparently it's going to get worse before it gets better!!!!
Does anyone have any tips for dealing with the itchiness or the pain???
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Also, should I inform Xander's daycare that I have HFM? I don't really know, but I'm guessing I must've gotten it from him or something, right? I'd hate for anyone else to get this!
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Oh no!!!!!! So sorry to hear that. You should probably tell daycare. Xander doesn't have it right now? That might explain your recent production woes. Hope you get better soon!!
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@sheskrafty: I haven't noticed it on Xander. He's been eating fine and seems normal, and he certainly doesn't have all these bumps on his fingers and toes like I do. BUT he did recently have an outbreak of eczema, so I'm wondering if maybe some of that outbreak was actually HFM, since he also had a fever! We've been using some steroid cream on him, so it's clearing up, and maybe that's helping him with HFM too? Though I have no idea, haha.
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My DH used lots of lotion to try to calm the itch. He also was using Advil. He said the same as you. Lots of itch and pain. Also make sure to wash hands often. Our pedi said its the fluid in the blisters that is contagious.
I avoided DH for about a week. We think he had it in his throat as well. He definitely had it much worse than DD
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I am sorry! How are you getting more sick from day care then Xander is?
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We had HFM disease last year. It was horrible and impossible to miss. DD had a fever for about 24 hours, never got too high, but she didn't feel good and then the the bumps started. She got them around her mouth, palms of her hands, and feet. It affected her eating and she was in a horrible mood, for about three days. Unfortunately DH also got it, he was knocked on his butt for five days. He had the fever for about 36 hours and then the bumps. He said it was the worst sore throat he had ever had. He was starving but couldn't eat because it hurt so bad.
This is a picture of DD after she started to get better, I would say this is a week after the whole ordeal started, but you can still see the bumps on her face.
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C has had it several times and DH and I got it once. Unfortunately there isn't a whole lot you can do and just have to ride it out. Some tylenol for pain and to soothe your throat if necessary a mix of maalox and benadryl at night. C's was never as noticeable as @Mamabehr's daughter so it isn't always so obvious. Hopefully yours isn't a terrible case and you'll start feeling better in a few days.
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@pelikila: That's exactly right. Tylenol/Ibuprofen and benadryl: Maalox 1:1 ratio (magic mouthwash).
I don't think steroids will work for this. You can take soothing oatmeal baths if you think that will help.
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@Adira: I don't have any advice, but I hope you start feeling better soon!!
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@MamaG: Thanks for the advice! I forgot to take some ibuprofen this morning, but I meant to! I can deal with the pain in my hands, but the pain on my feet.... so hard to walk! And I'm going to avoid Hubs - I don't want him to get it! And while I don't have any symptoms in my throat/mouth, they doctor did say she saw the beginnings of some stuff in my mouth, so... fun.
@Smurfette: I don't know!!!!! I can only assume Xander's taking ALL my anti-bodies and leaving me with none! Maybe I should stop BFing him!
@MamaBehr: Thanks for including a picture! I actually recently brought Xander in (last Friday actually) because of these horrible bumps all over his body, but I was told it was just his eczema flaring up! He also had a fever. Although I'm guessing no symptoms in the mouth, because they looked and didn't mention anything. Now I'm wondering if maybe it was really a combo of his eczema AND HFM? He's been eating well though, so it must not be affecting his mouth at all, which is good. If he even has it, which I have no idea.
@Mrs. Jacks: Oh, boo, you don't think the hydrocortisone creme I have will do me any good?? That's the only thing my doctor suggested.
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@Adira: it won't change the underlying coxsackie virus, but maybe it will help with the itch.
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@Mrs. Jacks: Oh, yeah, that's all I'm hoping for! I know it can't do anything to help with the virus, but the itch is driving me BONKERS!!!! So I'm hoping it helps with that!!! Thanks for all your help!
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Ahhh....I thought it sounded like HFM from your original post. I got it about 10 years ago and while I don't remember how I dealt with it, I do remember it being unpleasant.
I hope you feel better soon!
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@pelikila: oh no, your LO got this multiple times? My LO just started daycare and I've been dreading this since a co-worker's daughter had it a few years back. I was hoping it was typically one and done, like chicken pox.
@adria: Sorry you're dealing with this. I hope you feel better soon.
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@pelikila: several times?! I thought it was a virus like chicken pox that you can only get once! Oh man, I hope I never get that again!
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@Adira: I would bet money that is what he had.
bummer for y'all. I had it like 12 years ago and I remember taking an oatmeal bath to stop the itch. Ick.
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@Adira: I would def let daycare know just in case.
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My LO had this and we initially thought it was a flare up of his eczema also but then they started bubbling a little bit. He was about 10 months old at the time and he stopped eating solids but would nurse still. We didn't know it was HFM until my DH got it and it absolutely horrible for him. He had sores in his mouth and throat and couldn't eat anything and then he got the sores on his hands and feet. It didn't itch that much but he couldn't eat for about 10 days.
It typically hits adults much much harder than children so hopefully your LO has already finished with it. The magic mouthwash is key and also popsicles and ice cream .
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My understanding is this is a family of viruses, so you can get multiple strains. I forgot about magic mouthwash. The dr prescribed it but DH didn't use it. I didn't know you could DIY it.
I will say that DH felt much better after about 5 days, but nearly 6 weeks later his feet are still peeling and healing.
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@Corduroy: @travellingbee: No, you can get it over and over again. One of the toughest things about it is that the infected person is contagious usually before symptoms are really noticeable, which is one reason why it can be a common daycare virus.
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@lisa1783: Oh really??? So maybe Xander's eczema flare up really was HFM! Gahhh! He's not on solids yet, but is still nursing, so it sounds similar! And Xander's definitely looking better, so he must be on the other side of things now.
I'm just depressed because I'm only on day 2 and I guess it lasts 7-10 days and will probably get worse before it gets better! It's already unbearable!!!
@locavore_mama: OMG, when did your change your username??? I recognize your avatar but the name totally just threw me off! And also, thanks! I'll let my daycare know!
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@pelikila: Ugh, I PRAY I never get this again. It's horrible!
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We think my DH is going through it again now. He's been having fevers and he's been getting some sores in his mouth again but it's nowhere as bad as it originally was.
@Adira: I think it's definitely possible Xander had it. Did his rash seem really itchy for him?
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No advice but I hope you start feeling better! If you can make or pick up some of that magic mouthwash it helps with throat and mouth pain so much!
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@lisa1783: YES! It was VERY itchy - he was constantly scratching it! Our pediatrician prescribed some steroid ointment that's definitely been helping with the itching and he seems a LOT better now. But I assumed eczema could be itchy too?
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Bummer!
I hope get better soon!
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@Adira: haha just a few days ago!
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Ugh, my LO had it last month and gave it to me
Lots of lotion and hydrocortisone 1%. I also used ice packs to ease the itch when it got really bad. Skin from my fingers and toes are still peeling for HFM weeks after. HFM stinks!
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@keiki_mama: Ugh, sorry to hear you had this too! It's awful!!! How long would you say the pain or itching lasted? I can deal with peeling (as unpleasant as that will be), but the itching is driving me CRAZY!!!!!
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@Adira: I feel like I had it BAD for two days and it started lessening, same with the pain. The pain was mostly on the sole of my feet. The itching got so bad I couldn't sleep! I'm so sorry you have to deal with this.
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@keiki_mama: Okay, I could probably deal with two days... unless the two days are worse than today!!!! The itching is sooooo intense - is it bad I want to use my hydrocortisone creme like lotion and just keep reapplying it??? And the pain for me is mostly my feet too. It hurts to walk!
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@Adira: Yes! I used hydrocortisone like my life depended on it. It started balling up on my skin after a while and I had to go wash it off and start from scratch. I have to admit, feeling cold water running down on my hands felt awesome! I could hardly keep up with my toddler while my feet hurt--I walked around like a penguin. Hang in there! It will be over soon.
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@keiki_mama: Thanks!!! It definitely helps hearing someone else's experience! Sounds like it's affecting me the same as it did you! Did you also have the sore throat? I haven't had that yet and I'm scared, haha.
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@Adira: I did at first but it went away before the bumps populated and it wasn't so bad. I drank a lot of peppermint tea. Luckily, neither LO or I got it in our mouth... I don't think.
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I got it when DS was like 3 months, he had the spots on his toes but never seemed bothered, I on the other hand almost DIED! lol. It hit me hard and fast and was gone within 72 hours. I was more bothered by the fever/throat than the rash part on my hands.
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@Navy_Mommy: I'd LOVE it if mine was gone within 72 hours!!! I'm on day 2! I haven't experienced the fever/throat part at all though, but I'm scared it's coming.
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@Adira: DH had to stay home from work on day two because I literally couldn't move out of bed and SOMEONE had to take care of W! He would bring him in the bedroom to nurse and that was really it.
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@Navy_Mommy: OMG, what!!!! Could you not move because of the pain??? Gahhh, I hope it doesn't get worse than it already is!
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@Adira: I got like a 102 fever and my throat was basically swollen shut. I lived on chicken broth and Gatorade for 2 days to try and save my breastmilk supply.
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