Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral infection seen mostly in young children. This infection can spreads from person to person because of unwashed hands or contaminated surfaces. The common symptoms of this condition include fever, sore throat, rash and blisters, headache, fatigue, irritability, and loss of appetite. Most patients usually recover within 7 to 10 days; however maintaining good hygienic, preventing spread of infection and oral rehydration of affected individuals is quite important.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is aimed at treating the viral infection, giving symptomatic treatment for the symptoms, and improving the immunity of affected individuals so as to prevent a relapse or recurrence. Ayurvedic herbal medicines are given to prevent symptoms of infection such as fever, body ache, and rash. Most patients require medicines for symptomatic treatment of the upper respiratory tract as well as involvement of the skin and mucous membranes. Ayurvedic herbal medicines which have a specific anti-viral action are also very useful in the treatment of this condition.
Prevention is an important aspect of this condition, and boosting the immune status of affected individuals in particular and children in general are important. Since this condition is more common in child care settings, herbal medicines can be utilised in order to provide a general blanket prevention for all children in common wards. Specific immunomodulatory treatment can be given to treat children who are more susceptible or are immunocompromised.
Children affected with Hand-foot-and-mouth disease usually require Ayurvedic herbal treatment for about four to ten days in order to obtain a complete remission and cure of the condition. If required, immunomodulatory treatment can be given for about 1 to 2 months, depending upon the individual requirements of affected individuals. Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant contribution to play in the management and treatment of Hand-foot-and-mouth disease.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
