Mouth ulcers are one of the common features of hand, foot and mouth disease, leaving a child sore, refusing food and fussy. Parents need to know how to care for the child and recognise the severe signs.
- Mouth ulcers are a common feature of hand, foot and mouth disease, leaving the child sore, refusing food and crying a lot.
- Give liquid, soft, cool food and small sips of water, and avoid hot, sour, spicy, salty and hard food.
- High fever, jerking, drowsiness, repeated vomiting, difficult breathing or cold hands and feet are severe signs that need hospital care at once.
- Diagnosis and monitoring belong to the paediatrician, and non urgent dental procedures should wait until the child has recovered.
When a child has hand, foot and mouth disease, besides blisters on the palms and soles, many children have ulcers inside the mouth that sting, cause drooling, make them refuse food and cry a lot. It is a viral illness that is usually mild but can become severe in some cases. Diagnosis and monitoring belong to the paediatrician, while parents can make the mouth part easier for the child.
How should you feed a child with mouth ulcers?
- Give liquid, soft, cool or chilled food such as thin porridge, milk, yoghurt and smooth pureed fruit.
- Avoid hot, sour, spicy, salty and hard food, which makes the ulcers hurt more.
- Give small sips of water many times to prevent dehydration. If the child will not drink, take them to a doctor.
- Split meals into several small ones and never force a child to eat.
Gentle mouth hygiene
Even with ulcers, the child still needs a clean mouth. Parents may use a very soft toothbrush or clean damp gauze to wipe the teeth and tongue gently, avoid touching the ulcers hard, and give water or a rinse after eating. See also how long mouth ulcers take to heal and thrush in newborns and infants.
Severe signs that need hospital care at once
- High fever, fever that lasts or will not come down.
- Jerking, trembling hands or feet, drowsiness or unusual crying.
- Repeated vomiting, difficult or fast breathing.
- Cold hands and feet, bluish or pale skin.
- The child cannot drink or passes little urine.
These are signs for taking the child to a paediatric medical facility straight away, without waiting.
Limiting spread and dental visits
The disease spreads through contact with mouth secretions, stool and shared items, so keep the child at home, wash hands thoroughly and disinfect toys. While the child is ill, non urgent dental procedures should be postponed until the child has fully recovered.
When should you visit Ky Hoa Dental Clinic?
Nha Khoa Ky Hoa is at 266A - 268, 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Once the child has recovered, parents can bring the child for a dental check, walking in during opening hours or calling the hotline 028.3868.1097 to ask about quieter times first. If the child has a fever, many ulcers or any severe sign, please go to a paediatric medical facility first.
Frequently asked questions
What should a child with hand, foot and mouth disease and mouth ulcers eat?
Give liquid, soft, cool or chilled food such as thin porridge, milk and yoghurt, and avoid hot, sour, spicy, salty and hard food. Give small sips of water to prevent dehydration.
Which signs of hand, foot and mouth disease need hospital care at once?
High or lasting fever, jerking, trembling, drowsiness, repeated vomiting, difficult breathing, cold hands and feet, or a child who cannot drink. Take the child to a paediatric medical facility straight away.
Should a child with hand, foot and mouth disease see a dentist?
Postpone non urgent dental procedures until the child has fully recovered, and take the child to a paediatric medical facility first for diagnosis and monitoring.