Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease - Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatment

ABSTRACT

Hand, mouth and foot disease is a mild, contagious viral infection which is usually common in young children. Viral disease or infection is when an organism's body is invaded by pathogenic viruses and gets attached to and enters into the susceptible cells.  DNA viruses replicate within the cell nucleus and RNA viruses replicate within the cytoplasm. It is a submicroscopic infectious agent which replicates inside the living cell of microorganisms. Viruses affect all life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms including bacteria and archaea. The genetic material that is long molecules of DNA encodes the structure of the protein and has a protein coat the capsid which surrounds the genetic material. They usually spread in many ways, the transmission pathway is through vectors such as they are transmitted through plants such as aphids and viruses can be carried through blood-sucking insects. Some viruses spread through influenza viruses, and SARS-Cov- spread through are by coughing and sneezing. They do not grow through cell division as they are acellular. In this article, we are going to discuss the causes, symptoms and ayurvedic management of this disease in detail further in the article.

INTRODUCTION

Hand, mouth and foot disease is mainly due to the coxsackie virus, which is a highly contagious infection. It usually spreads from person to person through direct contact with unwashed hands and surfaces which are contaminated with feces and can also be spread through unwashed hands and surfaces. These rashes appear anywhere in the part of the body which usually includes the trunk, extremities and buttocks. It spreads quickly among school-going children. They are usually followed by flat discolored spots and blisters. Coxsackie A16 is the most common cause and enterovirus 71 is the second most common cause, which spreads in all areas of the world. Large outbreaks were seen in 1997. It usually begins with the onset of fever and is generally unwell. Sometimes fingernail and toenail loss occurs a few weeks later and regrows with time. Most adults have a strong enough immune system to defend against the virus but those who are immunodeficient are very susceptible. It was first diagnosed in children suffering from fever with rashes in Toronto in 1957. Very important to differentiate this disease from other viral diseases in childhood.

QUICK FACTS

1. The virus which causes hand, foot and mouth disease is spread through close contact through the air from coughing and feces of the infected person.
2. Contaminated objects can also spread the disease
3. Strains of coxsackie virus and enterovirus can also be responsible
4. A throat and stool examination is helpful in diagnosing this disease
5. Hand foot and mouth disease should not be confused with foot and mouth disease which primarily affects livestock.
6. Viral meningitis and encephalitis may complicate the disease

CAUSES OF HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE<

The most common cause of hand, foot and mouth disease is infection from the coxsackie virus 16. They usually belong to a group of viruses known as non-polio enterovirus. This disease is highly contagious and spreads through-

• Airborne droplets (sneezes or cough)
• Direct contact with infected person blisters
• Sharing and eating utensils, cups and towels.
• Contact with an infected person’s poop then touching the mouth, eyes and nose.
• Saliva
• Nose secretion and throat discharge.  

SYMPTOMS

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Feeling sick
• Blisters like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside the cheeks.
• Loss of appetite
• Rashes on the palms, soles and on the buttock region, depending on the tone of the skin, sometimes appear red, white and tiny bumps.
•  Swollen lymph nodes in the neck region
• Irritability
• Drooling
• The usual period from initial infection appears is 3-6 days
• Sores develop in the back of the mouth and throat suggesting a viral illness called herpangina. Herpangina includes sudden high fever and seizures.
• It is a self-limiting disease which usually recovers in 7-10 days without any medical treatment
• Sometimes the disease is harmless, but sometimes complications such as meningitis and paralysis which mimic the neurological symptoms of polio can also occur.

DIAGNOSIS

• It can be examined with physical examination
• Throat swab
• Stool examination

TREATMENT

• Topical ointments to soothe blisters and rashes
• Pain medication such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• Medicated syrups to ease the sore throats

PROGNOSIS

Prognosis is based upon the stage of disease and the immunity

COMPLICATIONS

• Viral meningitis
• Encephalitis
• Myocarditis and respiratory distress syndrome

PREVENTIONS

1. Wash your hands often
2. Teach good hygiene
3. Clean common areas such as clean high traffic lights, door knobs and shared items such as toys
4. Avoid close contact

LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES

• Eat ice creams
• Sip cold drinks such as water
• Sip warm water such as tea
• Acidic food and citrus food must be avoided
• Soft foods must be eaten by the patient

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT

Hand, foot and mouth diseases are co-related with the vitiation of ras and rakta dhatus with Vata and pitta dominance. This dosha affects the rasa and raktavaha srotas. When these vitiated doshas involve rasa and rakta srotas cause eruption on the skin and mucous membrane, excessive pain is due to Vata doshas and eruption and redness are due to the pitta dominance.

NIDANA

1. Excess consumption of acid and salty food.
2. Infections

PURVAROOPAM

1. Increased temperature (jwara)
2. Blisters (sphota)  

LAKSHANA

1. Fever (jwara)
2. Itchy skin lesions (kandu)
3. Swelling (shopha)
4. Burning sensation (daha)
5. Headache (shir shool)
6. Anorexia

CHIKITSA

1. Deepana
2. Pachana
3. Vishagna
4. Rasayan

HERBS USEFUL IN HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

1. GUGGUL

Guggul (Commiphora Mukul) is an oleo gum resin with a binding property that helps relieve joint inflammation and decreases cholesterol levels. Guggul has the property to reduce obesity and helps in healing bone from fracture quickly. Guggul is known for its rejuvenating property that helps to improve digestion and strength. Helps to balance tridoshas, relieves bad odour and is helpful in many skin diseases.

2. TULSI

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is an auspicious plant which helps to reduce the ill effects of chemotherapy. Tulsi helps to balance the Vata and Kapha doshas (so helps to reduce the sputum production), improves the digestion strength and is useful in respiratory disorders. Helps to relieve difficulty in urination, in psychiatric disorders. Has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties so helpful in clearing airways.

3. GOKSHURA

Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) has immense medicinal properties. The supplements of Tribulus are used for maintaining bodybuilding which improves the bodybuilding and strength of body composition. It acts as a diuretic so helpful in cleaning the urinary system and has lithotriptic activity (breaking down the stones in the urinary tract and in the gallbladder).

4. GAMBHARI

Gambhari (Gmelina arborea) acts as an anti-inflammatory herb which helps to reduce pain and swelling. This herb has the deepen-pachana property and helps to balance Vata and pitta doshas. Helpful in bleeding disorders so helps to improve blood production and nasal bleeding. Helpful in cold, cough and in migraine.

HERBAL REMEDIES BY PLANET AYURVEDA FOR HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

Planet ayurveda is a renowned herbal pharmaceutical firm that deals in the production of herbal products and remedies along with their further usage for treating different ailments. For hand, foot and mouth disease planet ayurveda offers a combination of herbal remedies that are prepared using authentic and pure herbs that will help in restoring the doshas and help in treating the condition naturally.

PRODUCTS LIST

1. SEPTRIN TABLETS
2. CURCUMIN CAPSULES
3. AMRITARISHT
4. MAHAMANJISHTHADI KWATH
   
   

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION

1. Septrin Tablets

Septrin tablets are made by planet Ayurveda in the form of vati which contains Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Pippali (Piper longum) and many more. These tablets help to maintain indigestion and in many stomach ailments. Helps to boost immunity, which is so useful in many respiratory tract infections. Maintains the equilibrium of the stomach and proper digestion of food.

Dosage- 1 tablet twice daily after meal with plain water

2. Curcumin Capsules

Curcumin capsules are single herbal capsules made by planet Ayurveda using extract of Haridra (Curcuma longa). These capsules help to maintain a healthy immune system and balance the doshas in the body. It helps to retard facial hair growth and has anti-atherosclerotic properties which help to cleanse the channel so enabling the free circulation to every cell of the body and restoring normal functioning.

Dosage- 1 capsule twice daily with plain water

3. Amritarisht

Amritarisht is a classical herbal formulation which is formulated by planet ayurveda using ingredients such as Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Patla (Stereospermum suaveolens), Brihati (Solanum indicum), Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) and many more. It is helpful in many liver diseases, chronic pruritus and in all kinds of fevers. Helps to fight against bacterial and viral infections. Used as a blood purifier and increases immunity.

 
Dosage- 50 ml twice daily with an equal amount of water

4. Mahamanjishthadi Kwath

Mahamanjishthadi Kwath is a classical herbal formulation which is made by the planet ayurveda using ingredients such as Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), Nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus), Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Bach (Acorus calamus) and many more. This formulation has great results on skin and hair. Helps in preventing skin infections and other skin ailments. Mahamanjishthadi kwath helps in improving skin used in various skin infections hence resulting in lustrous skin. It has tridoshas pacifying property so reduces the various fungal infections on the skin.

Dosage- 5 ml twice daily after meals.

CONCLUSION

Hand, mouth and foot disease is a mild, contagious viral infection which is usually common in young children. Viral disease or infection is when an organism's body is invaded by pathogenic viruses and gets attached to and enters into the susceptible cells. Hand, mouth and foot disease is mainly due to the coxsackie virus, which is a highly contagious infection. It usually spreads from person to person through direct contact with unwashed hands and surfaces which are contaminated with feces and can also be spread through unwashed hands and surfaces. Hand, foot and mouth diseases are co-related with the vitiation of ras and rakta dhatus with Vata and pitta dominance. Planet Ayurveda provides many herbal remedies which are really helpful and cause no side effects.

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