Hand Foot and Mouth Disease 20 Effective Home Remedies

Hand, foot mouth disease (HFMD) is a contagious viral disease that affects children under the age of ten. The "Coxsackie" virus is the root cause. The virus is spread by touching dirty hands, surfaces contaminated with feces, feces of an infected person, or respiratory secretions or feces. Symptoms of the disease include fever, sore throat, fatigue, painful blisters or sores in the mouth and tongue, and blisters or sores on the back of the hands, feet, buttocks, elbows, and knees. The disease gets cured on its own within a week to ten days. It cannot be prevented by vaccine, nor can it be treated with medicine. But, there are some home remedies that can help your child deal with the symptoms of this disease. Once your child has fully recovered, he will be less likely to get the disease again, as his body will develop immunity against the virus. Children should be taught good hygiene habits to prevent the spread of this infection. They should be encouraged to wash their hands with soap after using the toilet. They should wash their hands thoroughly before meals. Lets begin to know more remedies about Hand, foot mouth disease.

Hand Foot and Mouth Disease 20 Effective Home Remedies

How Long Is Hand Foot Mouth Disease Contagious

The first week of your sickness is often the time when you are most infectious. However, for 1-3 weeks and for weeks to months after the illness begins, children with hand, foot, and mouth disease may shed the virus from the respiratory system (nose, mouth, and lungs).

Is Hand Foot And Mouth A Serious Illness

In most cases, hand, foot, and mouth disease is not dangerous. In 7 to 10 days, almost everyone recovers with little to no medical intervention. Hand, foot, and mouth illness seldom has complications.

Natural Home Remedies To Treat Hand Foot Mouth Disease

Following are some natural home remedies to treat hand, foot and mouth disease in children:

Coconut Water

Coconut water cools the body and is mild on the stomach. It contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, electrolytes and antioxidants. It also has lauric acid, which prevents the spread of viruses. Giving coconut water to a child with HFMD will help him feel better and get the fluids his body needs while also relieving his mouth discomfort. For your youngster to chew on to ease the discomfort of mouth sores, you may also freeze coconut water.

Cod Liver Oil

Vitamin A, D, and E are all present in cod liver oil. It boosts the immunity of the body and has anti-microbial properties. It is a good remedy to get rid of HFMD. It can be given to the child in the form of capsules or can be given to the child by mixing this oil in juice or curd. It can be given to the child in the form of capsules or by mixing this oil with juice or curd.

Akinesia

The herb echinacea is a member of the daisy flower family. Antimicrobial qualities are present. This herb strengthens the immune system and lessens cold, flu, and other infection symptoms including HFMD. Echinacea can be taken as a pill or as a tea made by boiling the herb's leaves with water and honey.

Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is a very good disinfectant that fights viruses. It also has soothing and relaxing properties and can help your baby sleep better. You can add a few drops of lavender oil to your baby's bath water or spread it through an essential oil diffuser in the room.

Lemon Essential Oil

Another antiseptic is lemon essential oil. To aid in the battle against the virus and to hydrate your baby's skin, add a few drops of this oil to the bathwater. You may also apply it to cuts and rashes by combining a few drops of it with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil.

Liquorice root

Liquorice root has anti-viral properties and is used as a home remedy to treat various viral infections. It contains a chemical called triterpenoid which boosts immunity. It also forms a thin layer of mucus in the inner part of the throat and esophagus, which helps reduce the pain of wounds. Boil some liquorice roots in water, then filter and add honey to it and give it to your child. But, use it with caution as excessive dosage of liquorice can be harmful for him.

Salt water rinse and bath

Ask your child to gargle with warm salt water three to four times a day, as it will give him relief from painful blisters and mouth ulcers. You can use ordinary salt or Himalayan pink salt for this. This pink salt is more effective as it balances the pH level inside the mouth. In addition, adding laxative (Epsom) salt to the bath water can reduce the pain of sores on the body and help the child recover from HFMD symptoms more quickly. You can also add a few drops of lavender or lemon essential oil to the laxative salt-mixed bath water. Your child will get a lot of relief from this.

Garlic

Garlic has strong antimicrobial properties as it contains high amounts of sulfur compounds. You can add garlic to food, give it to your child in capsule form, or make herbal tea by boiling 3 cloves of garlic in water and giving it to drink when it cools down.

Elderberry

Elderberries are known for their antioxidant properties that boost immunity and also improve immunity. It helps the body produce mucus to fight the virus. It slightly raises the body temperature, which makes it difficult for the virus to multiply and multiply. Make a syrup of elderberry and honey and give it to your child once in a while so that he can recover from HFMD faster.

Ginger

Ginger contains several anti-viral chemicals. It has sedative effects and also gives relief from pain. Crush ginger, add it to the water and boil it till it becomes thick. Now cool this tea and give it to your child with honey.

Astralagus

Astralagus is a plant in the legume family and has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. It is known for its immune-system boosting properties. It prevents the virus from multiplying in the body. You can buy astralagus ointment for use. You can also buy Astralagus tea-bags or prepare a mixture by boiling a small spoonful of ground Astralagus root in water. Strain it and mix it with honey and give this drink to your child to reduce the symptoms of HFMD.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has antiviral properties. You can apply coconut oil on your baby's body on those places where there are sores or blisters and they will disappear soon. Some people even say that gargling with a tablespoon of coconut oil in the mouth provides relief in mouth ulcers. You can ask your child to do this remedy if he can do it easily.

Neem Tree

Neem has many antimicrobial properties and has been used for hundreds of years to treat diseases caused by viruses. You can apply neem oil on your child's body wounds. You can make powder of dried neem leaves and make a paste of it with water. Apply this paste on wounds and blisters for quick healing. You can also experiment by mixing neem oil with a few drops of coconut oil and lavender oil for use.

Gooseberry

Indian gooseberry is rich in Vitamin C, which is an essential vitamin for immunity. It purifies the blood and also helps in digestion. Amla can be consumed in the form of juice. You can make powder of dried amla and mix it with water and give it to your baby.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate contains anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that help in reducing the symptoms of HFMD. Give pomegranate juice or feed pomegranate seeds to your child for quick recovery.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains vitamins B and C. It also contains a chemical called inulin that increases the number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood. WBCs help our body fight viruses. To get relief from sore throat, mix 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in warm water and gargle with your child.

Calendula

Calendula is a herb that belongs to the family of marigold flowers. These plants have antibacterial and antiviral properties. These reduce inflammation, help in quick recovery from disease and help in maintaining oral health. You can make a tea from calendula petals and mix honey in it and give it to your baby. You can also apply calendula ointment on the rashes/wounds to reduce the pain.

Basil

Tulsi is a herb that has many medicinal properties. It fights harmful microbes, reduces inflammation and relieves pain. Give your child basil leaves to chew on, or make a juice of the leaves, mixing it with water and giving it several times a day to give rapid relief from HFMD.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has antimicrobial properties. It also enhances immunity. Aloe vera contains minerals, vitamins and many other compounds that are beneficial for the skin. Apply Aloe Vera Gel on the rashes/wounds and blisters to get relief. You can also give aloe vera juice to your child to get rid of HFMD quickly.


The symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease bother children a lot and can make them irritable. Rashes and blisters can be very painful for young children. So, try these home remedies to get relief from the symptoms and make your baby as comfortable as possible.