Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is an acute infectious disease in children, primarily characterized by the appearance of rashes on the hands, feet, and oral mucosa. The main pathogens are Coxsackie virus and enterovirus. In Western medicine, the primary treatment focuses on antiviral therapy.
In addition to the appearance of numerous rashes on the skin of the hands and feet, as well as the mouth and throat, clinical symptoms often include restlessness, difficulty swallowing, yellowish and dark urine, and sleep disturbances. Typical signs include fever, cough, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, and other heat-related symptoms.
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), HFMD is believed to be caused by the invasion of external epidemic toxins, internal injury to the spleen and stomach leading to damp-heat accumulation, and excessive heart fire. Clinically, it is often associated with excess conditions. The affected organs are the lungs, spleen, and heart.
A case in the clinic involved a 4-year-old male patient, whose parents brought him in for treatment. The child had been feverish for three days, feeling weak, had red lips, and difficulty eating. Upon examination, the oral mucosa was covered with sores of various sizes, and the palms showed 3-4 scattered blisters. The child looked distressed. He had seen a Western doctor three days ago, was given antibiotics and antipyretics, but the fever kept recurring and his appetite did not improve. Over the three days, the child had lost weight, which worried the parents, prompting them to seek further treatment. It was evident that the child had HFMD.
Understanding that this is a viral infection with high fever and inevitable rashes on the hands, feet, and mouth, I explained that the body’s immune system must be strengthened to fight the virus. In TCM, we have the saying, “When the righteous qi is strong, evil cannot invade.” The treatment included clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting lung qi, and strengthening the body’s immune system. The prescription was as follows:
- Bamboo Leaf and Gypsum Decoction (Zhuye Shigao Tang) 12g
- Rehmannia 5g
- Houttuynia Cordata 5g
- Honeysuckle 5g
- Adenophora 9g
- Scrophularia 9g
- Scutellaria 9g
- Coix Seed 4g
For external use, watermelon frost powder was sprayed in the oral cavity to relieve discomfort. The child was advised to drink plenty of water, avoid fried foods, and stick to a diet of light, soft, and fluid foods. Since the child was in the rash stage when visiting, the medication was prescribed for 3 days.
After three days, at the follow-up visit, the child showed improvement in both spirit and appetite.
In conclusion, Traditional Chinese Medicine has shown to be effective in treating this condition. Since the causative agent of the disease is a respiratory virus with strong infectivity, it is likely to cause outbreaks in kindergartens and may develop into severe complications that could potentially be life-threatening. Therefore, healthcare providers, kindergarten teachers, and parents should give this condition high attention. Early detection, early reporting, and early treatment are key to minimizing the harm caused by HFMD.
