Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of your child after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You brought your child to the ED for small bumps or sores in their mouth, on their hands and feet, and maybe on their buttocks or genitals. The sores can hurt. Your child might also have a fever.
The bumps or sores are caused by a viral infection called "hand, foot, and mouth disease." The infection spreads easily from person to person. It most often affects young children, but older children and adults can get it, too. It usually goes away on its own without treatment in a week or so.
How do I care for my child at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Call your child's regular doctor and tell them your child was in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Offer your child lots of fluids to keep them hydrated. Offer your baby regular feedings of breast milk or formula.
●Cold foods, like popsicles or ice cream, can help ease mouth pain. Soft foods, like pudding or gelatin, can be easy for your child to eat.
●Keep your child out of school or day care if they have a fever or do not feel well enough to go. Keep your child at home if they are drooling a lot or have open sores.
●Wash your and your child's hands often. Wash after wiping your child's nose, changing diapers, and before and after meals. Also, clean toys and things your child might have touched.
●Give your child non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin). Check the label carefully to make sure you give the right dose. Never give aspirin to a child younger than 18 years.
●If your child is older than 6 years, have them rinse their mouth with salt water. This might help with pain. To do this, mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water. Your child can swish the water in their mouth, then spit it out. They should not swallow it. They can do this 2 or 3 times a day.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•Your child cannot swallow their saliva and is drooling.
•Your child has trouble breathing or swallowing.
•Your child passes out, seems very sleepy, or is breathing fast, and has 1 or more of these symptoms of severe fluid loss:
-Their skin is mottled and cool, and their hands and feet are blue.
-They do not urinate for 24 hours.
-Their eyes are sunken.
-The soft spot on their head is sunken (for babies).
●Return to the ED if:
•Your child cannot keep any fluids down, has not drank anything in many hours, and has 1 or more of the following:
-Your child is not as alert as usual, is very sleepy, or is much less active.
-Your child is crying all the time.
-Your baby has not had a wet diaper for 4 to 6 hours.
-Your older child has not urinated in the past 6 to 8 hours.
-Your child's skin is cool.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if your child:
●Has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
●Has symptoms that their sores are infected – These include:
•Swelling, redness, or warmth around the sore
•Pain when touching the area
•Yellow, green, or bloody drainage from the sore
•Bad smell from the sore
●Is having trouble eating or drinking normally
●Has a dry mouth
●Has few or no tears when they cry
●Has dark urine
●Is less active than normal
●Has new or worsening symptoms
Patient education: Hand, foot, and mouth disease and herpangina (The Basics)
