Hand, Foot, and Mouth....

Has anyone ever heard of the hand, foot, and mouth disease? I mean come on. Obviously it is going around in the schools here in Huntsville. The school nurse called yesterday and told me I had to come get Taylor from school because this disease is contagious. So immediately what do I do? I call the doctor's office and amazingly enough....Dr. Hsaio had a cancellation. So off to school I go to pick her up and then onto the doctor's office. Well, well, well....guess what? She has the hand, foot, and mouth disease. It's painful ulcers inside the mouth making it hard for them to eat. Low grade temperature. Red spots and watery blisters on the hands and feet and even the buttocks. There is unfortunately nothing you can do for this except keep their skin moistened and make sure you don't use any harsh detergents or soaps on their skin. This can last anywhere between 3-6 days and they are contagious the 2 days before symptoms appear and then 2 days after. Usually only children between the ages of 6 months to 4 years of age aquire this disease. Just make sure you wash your hands!! That's the important thing.